Hello folks, I have been away from the forum for awhile and was hoping to get some information for my brother. He purchased a .44 SW Special hand ejector, SN#2300, which dates it to 1909, I believe. The top sight ramp is a King modification and I think the barrel was shortened (3"?).

Can you tell me about the King gunsmithing, such as when King was in business, how rare is the modification, does it increase or decrease the value of the .44, and what a ball-park value would be on a revolver like this.

Thanks for any help you can give us. Waistgunner

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King was making sights from the early 1900s up until a little after D.W. King's death in '45.

It's hard to tell from that picture but I would wager the gun has been reblued. Much better pictures will be required to give you an idea of the value. If it is a factory or King reblue and those are Ropers on there (they look like it), you probably have a $2500-$3250ish gun there. At least that's what I would pay for it, and I expect there are a few others on the forum every bit as King addicted as I am.

I believe that's actually a four inch barrel - as measured from the muzzle to the front of the cylinder. Can't say whether or not it's factory original or not from that photo.

I disagree about the stock being Roper's, but again, the resolution of that photo doesn't show details well enough for a more accurate assessment.

Mark

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S&W Forum Member #721

I believe SixgunStrumpet is dead on with everything in his post including the value. Some believe King Modifications lesson the value of a gun, I totally disagree. Your brother has a very desirable gun that I would love to have in my safe.
FYI, here is a picture of D.W. King from Charles Askins Book, The Art of Handgun Shooting.

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Paul
SWCA #2864

On a cursory glance I think they could be Ropers but I am in no way confident that they are with that picture. Without seeing the other side and probably the inside of them I don't think anyone could say for certain. They do look well made whatever they are and I would not be surprised if they are Ropers given the rest of the gun being what it is.

I think the moral here is we need more pictures, or Waistgunner's brother can just sell it to me and I'll take the pictures

Thanks guys,
I will be getting photos from my brother this evening and get them on this post asap! I hit him with your questions about the grip panels, bluing, barrel length, etc...and should get some answers for you.

He came into this beauty paired with a pristine 1983 Colt Python with factory nickel finish and six inch barrel. (He calls it his Walking Dead gun) he could not say no to the offer. More to follow and thanks again! Waistgunner

He probably thought the Python was the "gem" of the deal, but if the revolver with the King Target Rib is what SixgunStrumpet thinks, it would be the real gem!

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

I share the negative opinion as to the stock maker, but King guns get my motor running----even those with (too) short barrels! It's a damn shame I've never seen one where I was.

Ralph Tremaine

Sorry for the low quality photos, but my brother said the .44 appears to have original bluing, and 3 1/2" barrel (?), and the grip panels are unmarked. But you knowledgeable collectors will recognize the style and therefore, the maker.

I sure appreciate your feedback and info on the old beauty. My brother and I are always learning!

Waistgunner

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Pretty hard to tell about the bluing still with those pictures, but those stocks don't seem to have any Roper traits. I'm not certain who made them.

If the gun is a reblue it was done well, possibly at the factory. It looks like the bits that shouldn't be blued aren't blued, so that's good.
Neat as heck gun.

First off, no one has mentioned that this is a Triple Lock. If it is a King conversion, that makes it one of the first I've seen. Is the sight marked King anywhere - either on the rib or the rear sight? The hammer doesn't appear to have been altered and generally that would be the other place a King mark would be found. I don't think the grips are Ropers, they appear to be along the same lineage as some others that have gone un-named. Makes me wonder if this is a later (but still vintage) attempt at reproducing a King looking gun. Still, a neat gun with some significant value. With the right markings and provenance it could bring big bucks.

From this picture it looks more like a 4-1/4" barrel to me, so most likely shortened. (Barrel length is measured from the front of the cylinder to the end of the barrel.) We still would like more and better pictures.

Exceptional gun. I love it

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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

Thank you all for the education. Just joined the forum. I am the owner of this King Super Target. The bluing appears to be original to me with measurable wear at the muzzle from holstering (it appears). No markings what-so-ever on grips but they appear to be either a deeply "cherry" stained walnut or rosewood perhaps. Beautifully matched and fit ultra snug (there is bedding material in specific, small areas as well). This was a bonus to the Python purchase as brother Waistgunner noted. I am an S&W rookie so any ideas on the revolver are greatly coveted and appreciated. It hasn't been fired since the late 70s....

Welcome to the Forum, RR.

"It hasn't been fired since the late 70s.... "

Iff'n I was you, I'd fix that FAST!

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Hey RocketRex. Congratulations on an extremely fine pair of guns.

As a Python lover I expect there are aspects of King work you will enjoy. If you look at the Python it is a collection of features that was only available pre-war on a King Super Target. This should get you some good information: http://www.histandard.info/King/King..._1280_960.html

If you look at what King did with a full Super Target equipped with custom target stocks you end up with things that just didn't come standard until after the war. Full vent rib, better sights, wide target hammer, and stocks that fill your hand, and a short action.

Basically a Python is a Colt Factory produced King Super Target.

Here's a video that might interest you regarding this:
If you find you like the work on your Triple Lock there I might suggest looking into a Colt such as the one in the video to go along with your Python.

(and sell me your triple lock to fund it )

Thanks for the great info! I took it out and ran a few soft loads through it and it shot like a laser. EXTREMELY accurate and smooth. The grips are very comfortable and really disperse the recoil. Even my girlfriend, who doesn't hardly shoot, LOVED it.

I've only owned one King modified pistol, it was a Colt Officer's Match Revolver that was nearly identical to the one in the picture. I was young and foolish when I bought it from a well-known local gun dealer. Years later I decided I had to have a .357 magnum and went back to the dealer who offered me a straight across deal for a brand new Colt Trooper .357. Instead of hearing the warning bells and flags being thrown I asked for a box of cartridges to be thrown in. A couple of months later I took a buddy out to the shop to see what old Ed had for sale and there was my old .38 in the special display case with a price tag of over $350 dollars or roughly the price of a brand new Python. I asked Ed what the story was on my old pistol and he said "You probably didn't know but King died quite a few years ago."
One of the things I remember very well about those sights was that down at the very end of the ramp where the front sight was fitted there were the letters KING stamped very small.

Hi
Here is a picture of my Triple lock in 44.40 Caliber and Super king conversion the gun has original finish and original grips it shoots great see targets. The first target was from 25 feet off a rest the 2nd target is from 20 feet standing. The Triple locks in 44/40 are really scarce there were less that 25 or 30 made in this caliber. I feel very luck to have two Triple locks in this caliber my other one is a 7 1/2 inch Target and its the only one known to exist in 7 1/2 Target. I will post a picture later of the 7 1/2.






Here is the story on the 7 1/2

Century Old Triple Lock Target 7 1/2 in 44-40 Cal.

Two years ago a fellow member of the SWCA perused my display at a Washington Arms Collector show in Puyallup, and took note of my interest in rare variations in S&W revolvers. Sometime later, an elderly gentleman approached him about selling an heirloom revolver. After meeting the gentleman and inspecting his revolver, he contacted me about adding it to my collection.
The revolver is an original parts matching Triple Lock Target in .44-40 Winchester with 7 ½” barrel. The package included a period correct shoulder holster and a box of ammunition. It was ordered by the 83 year old gentleman’s father, and shipped on February 28, 1910 to a hardware store in western Washington. It has been in the family until now.
His father was an avid hunter, and after taking delivery, carried the revolver throughout a lifetime of adventures, including taking mountain lions. He wanted a handgun in the same chambering as the rifle he used while hunting, something more powerful than a .44 Special loading.
The revolver shows carry wear, and is definitely not a safe queen, but it is one of the rarest S&W revolvers ever made. In my long experience as a collector, this is the first revolver of this type and caliber that I’ve seen. I am very happy I was able to acquire it. I have other .44-40s-- Triple Locks and 2nd models, but this one stands alone.
If anyone has factory documented information on similar guns that I can provide when I display it, please let me know.

Enjoy the information and the picture, this could be the only 7 1/2 Target made in this Caliber.
Jim Fisher SWCA 1491