I know it's a .32 long ctg hand-ejector, with adjustable sights, 5-screws, with 6" barrel and a strain-screw in the frame. The Ser# 220803 is actually scratched into the square butt, which encloses the frame, and the handle has 2 screws...
Just trying to find the year of manufacture, and maybe opinions on value.
...any help would be highly appreciated. Thanks, gentlemen.

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Are you sure the caliber isn't 22? looks like a 22/32 to me. I own 220403 around 400 less than yours in serial #.


Dan

AH, the serial number scratched on the bottom of the grips in the wood dont count. Gently remove the grips and see if the Sn. is stamped in the metal on the butt of the frame. Post some pics. Best

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

LoL. Nope.

The barrel seems to be marked as .32 Long. If the SN is correct, it's probably from the pre-WWI period, maybe 1915. That would make it a 1903 fifth change, but I don't know of any of those from S&W in the obviously target configuration. Were there any? Or could it have been converted to a target model?

Ah. Gotcha... wow. Might be the first time it's been off. Here ya go...

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I doubt there were any mods, but can't say for sure...

Also, that SER# is 220803

I have one just like it.
Tulsa Nov 2012 - .32 Target *pics added, post #17

Sure looks like a .32 HE Target. I don't know if that is a catalog model, but that's what it is now.

There's a picture of one that looks just like it in the SWCA 4th edition on page 141. Identified as a .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903 - Second Model Target. I guess it is 5th change based on S/N?

As far as values, SWCA says:

ANIB $1250
Exc $750
VG $500
Good $350
Fair $250
[EDIT] Says target models worth a premium

Check the back of the cylinder and underside of the barrel with cylinder swung out for the same number.

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

Looks like the same number. I suppose a previous owner may have scratched the sn on the stocks so he wouldn't have to remove the stocks to see it. That's sad because the same number should be on the rear face of the cylinder, the barrel flat, the yoke edge and the underside of the extractor star.

I agree this one is from c. 1915. I have #228074 and Roy says it shipped in March, 1916.

Yours is uncommon, since it is clearly a target model and it appears to have shipped with the extension stocks, which were the "target stocks" of the day. Pretty cool gun!

And yes, they did make a target model of the Model 1903, which is what this is. There is no apparent evidence that it has been modified from a fixed sight version.

I cannot suggest a price, but I'd think it would be in the high three figures at least. These aren't all that common in the target configuration. I hope Jim (Hondo44) comes along to express his opinion.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

The 4th ED of the S&W Catalog on page 142 under the description of the Model of 1903 5th change serial range 102501-263000 1910-1917 is variation.

Variation:
Premium for Target Model

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

To Fuzzy, there you go, two screws and the mystery is over, nice little gun. Go shoot it. Best

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Keep in mind, these numbers apply to the fixed sight version. Supica says the target model on the early postwar variant will bring 3X the standard model prices! My estimate is probably low, even for an earlier gun!

Jim - that statement applies to the original Model 1903, below sn 19,425. In the range of the 5th Change, Target models were made.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

You guys RULE.

Are you sure you wouldn't rather have $500 to put towards a nice Glock? I could help with that.

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

Very interesting. A 1903 .32 Target model is one I have not seen before. Another deposit in the memory bank.

Welcome to the forum.

The .22/.32 HFT and the .32 HE were built during the same time period and shared close serial number blocks. The highest serial umber that I have recorded in my .22/.32 database close to 220,803 is 220,513 but no shipping date listed. The closest recorded with a date is 220,445 that shipped 11/9/1914.

The next number that I have above 220,803 is 221,548 that shipped on 5/10/1915. So I would guesstimate that your gun shipped in late 1914 or early 1915.

Hard to tell from your photos but it does appear that your .32 HE has a U shaped rear sight and the Paine front sight just like the .22/.32 HFT's or Bekeart models as some folks refer to them.

The problem with guessing ship dates is that occasionally one ships way out of sequence so unless you letter the gun you can never be certain. I have another close serial number 220,442 that hung around until 8/17/1929 almost 15 years later so you never know for sure.

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James Redfield
LM #497

I track these, and they are not common. I have 43 separate specimens in my .32 HE Target First and Second Model data base, and I suspect no more than a thousand were produced during the years 1896-1917. There are third model target revolvers too, but the company marketed them under the .32 Regulation Police Target label. There are probably about as many of those as there are of the predecessor .32 HE targets.

Two .32 HE target revolvers with nearby serial numbers are known to me: 220805 and 220816. The latter was shipped in February 1915. I don't have a date for the other one.

Value? I haven't seen one sell for a while, but three or four years ago the good ones were going for more than $3K, and the somewhat used or refinished ones were down in the $2200-2600 range.

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David Wilson

Wow. Excellent information, guys. Thanks so much. I knew it was a neat pistol, but I had no idea how neat.

I ran across this post and it got me to thinking about this 1903 target I have. Unfortunately it does not have it's original rear sight. I do not want to hijack this post so , I will start another later, to seek advice. Anyway here she is, 95807, 4.25 inch.

I have been sort of looking for one of these for several years to add to my .32 collection. I have yet to hold one in my hands. Those that I would have considered buying all went from $1700 to $2500. Just about past my budget limits. That is a very nice .32 HE target. You need to get a letter on it.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

... My noobness is about to show- what Letter do you speak of, sir?

I have a Model of 1903 no change Target, that I bought several years ago off one of the internet auction sites. I had never seen a .32 HE Tgt ,and the price was little higher than a regular .32 HE, so I bought it. Mine is SN 7625 and was shipped in 1904. My gun looks just like the one in the OP, but the internal parts are totally different. I have fired mine and it is accurate, but no longer fire it for fear of breaking an irreplaceable part. I have never before or since seen another 1903 target of any change, nor a RP target that replaced the 1903 after 1917.

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Tom
1560

We were all noobs once. I still am in most S&W areas. In the 'S&W General Subjects" there is a sub forum titled "Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation". Open it and click on the string "Updated S&W Letter Procedures". It will tell you all you need to know. The cost of a letter is $75. The letter will tell you when the revolver shipped from the factory and to whom it was sent. It will also give the details of the revolver's configuration; all the little details that so interest collectors and historians. Colt has a similiar system, but more expensive. Winchester information can be obtained from the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody Wyoming, etc, etc.

Very cool. Thanks, dude!