Smith & Wesson Centennial means the shooter takes longer to bring the firearm back on line for a second shot. Smith & Wesson Centennial S&W Centennial is a family of revolvers made by Smith & Wesson on the "J-Frame". Depending upon caliber, the cylinder holds either 5 (9mm, .38 spl, .357 magnum), 6 (.32 magnum), 7 (.22 magnum), or 8 (.22 LR), cartridges. Centennials feature a fully enclosed (internal) hammer, which makes them Double Action Only (DAO) firearms. Like all other "J-frame" Smith & Wesson revolvers, they have a swing-out cylinder. Centennial models have been made in different versions like PD "Personal Defense", LS
Smith & Wesson Model 73 more than 20 of these left in private ownership. Smith & Wesson Model 73 The S&W Model 73 was a .38 Special caliber revolver manufactured by Smith & Wesson. The Model 73 was made in only 5000 units in 1973. It was made in C-frame, the only model that featured this frame. It was a J-frame modified to take a 6-shot K-frame cylinder. It was S&W answer to the Colt Detective Special. The revolver was made with an off-set cylinder stop which made them difficult to manufacture and test. As a result, most of these revolvers were destroyed for safety