1905 4th Change, Target (w/pics)

Stranglehold · #1 11-29-2009, 11:09 PM

Following are pictures of the 1905 Target, ser# 6963xx as discussed in this thread...

Input requested...1905, 4th change, Target

The gun cleaned up very well and is in better shape than I first thought.

Thanks for the prior input, it was obviously appreciated.

Roe

RKmesa · #2 11-29-2009, 11:57 PM

Very nice. Love the HB Hammer and the prewar K-magnas. Congratulations on a great find.

DCWilson · #3 11-29-2009, 11:58 PM

That's probably the best $425 you're going to spend this year, or next for that matter. Given the humpback hammer, stunning stocks, great finish and Call gold bead front sight, I'd have gone twice as high to own it, and maybe all the way to $1000. Congratulations.

Have you pulled the stocks to see if the same serial number is on the right panel? I would bet it is.

It will be interesting to learn when that one was shipped. The serial number is consistent with 1940 production, but not a lot of commercial guns went out the door during the time the company was busy with wartime contracts. If it didn't ship in 1940, there is a chance it didn't ship until after the war. Humpback hammers were introduced as an option in 1937 and were available for about three years. A few guns were shipped with HB hammers after WW2, but most precede the war.

An absolute beauty. I am really quite envious. My 1935 M&P Target is a respectable gun, but nowhere near as nice as that one.

How do you like the sight picture over that high hammer while you are in double action mode?

red9 · #4 11-30-2009, 08:14 AM

That's a beautiful gun at a very reasonable price. I also should have been bidding against you, but I underestimated the condition. Can anyone explain why Smith did not introduce the Masterpiece rear sight on the .38 at the same time as the .22 & .32? I always presumed it was because most of the .38 Spl/S&W production was already geared toward the military market.

Bob Hart #946

Stranglehold · #5 11-30-2009, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red9

That's a beautiful gun at a very reasonable price. I also should have been bidding against you, but I underestimated the condition.

Thanks gentlemen. I'm very pleased with the final outcome. But this gun didn't come from an auction sight, but rather a small, out-of-the-way gunshop a little distance from me.

I have removed the stocks and was unable to make out a ser#, but as I suspected, they have the machined steel backing plates with patent inscriptions.

Roe

Hammerdown · #6 11-30-2009, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stranglehold

Thanks gentlemen. I'm very pleased with the final outcome. But this gun didn't come from an auction sight, but rather a small, out-of-the-way gunshop a little distance from me.

I have removed the stocks and was unable to make out a ser#, but as I suspected, they have the machined steel backing plates with patent inscriptions.

Roe

Hello Roe
Gorgeous example and you paid about a Third of what it's really worth. I suspect that is early enough that the serial Numbers would have been Pencil marked Not stamped. Look close for any traces of the serial number Marked in Pencil... Hammerdown

fat tom · #7 11-30-2009, 09:50 AM

Simply outstanding. Congratulations!
f.t.

fyimo · #8 11-30-2009, 10:00 AM

Congrtulations on a stunning aquistion.

wbraswell · #9 11-30-2009, 10:40 AM

Stunning firearm. Jealousy abounds. (drool, slobber.)

j38 · #10 11-30-2009, 11:42 AM

Great find, indeed! You don't see those every day - especially in that condition.

Jerry

Vulcan Bob · #11 11-30-2009, 02:10 PM

Very nice! The gold bead front sight and that hammer really set it off.

Stranglehold · #12 01-15-2010, 12:39 AM

I received the factory letter from Roy today and it confirms this gun was a special order, is all original, and shipped in September 1940.

Attempts to uncover who R.A. Nowlin is/was have already begun. I'm making an assumption here...but if there are any old bullseye shooters from the SW Michigan area that may have heard of this gentleman, I would appreciate any info.

Roe

DCWilson · #13 01-15-2010, 01:22 AM

This just gets better and better. I am beyond envious at this point. What a spectacular catch! And to have the letter documenting all the special features on the gun as original -- wonderful.

Vulcan Bob · #14 01-15-2010, 12:09 PM

VERY nice! Thank's for posting the update and letter, a great addition to any collection!

wheelgun610 · #15 01-15-2010, 02:47 PM

.38 M&P Targets don't get any better than that - period!

Mark

victorylarry · #16 01-15-2010, 08:27 PM

That is truely an awesome M&P target with all the options one could get at the time. I think you would be surprised how much it would bring even at an online auction. The humpback hammers and k frame pre-war magnas look great on that gun. Congratulations on an excellent find and thank you for sharing your good fortune!

rburg · #17 01-15-2010, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammerdown

Hello Roe
I suspect that is early enough that the serial Numbers would have been Pencil marked Not stamped.

Nope. 1930s guns had the serial stamped in the right panel. Reference all the K22s in the same serial range. This was a late gun, near the end of the K22 second model range. I'd guess the end of 1940.

And its significant enough to warrant the $50 for a factory letter from Roy. Don't expect anything earth shattering in it, but the value it will add to the gun will at least equal the expense.

I have a very similar gun in the 682,000s. Again, no box.

Its a great mate to the K22 Outdoorsman with HBH.