I stumbled across this beauty today and had to make it mine. All numbers match, locks up tight and the trigger is silky smooth. Serial# is 628335 Anyone have a birthdate for this one? The closest that the S&W catalog came was 1915 to 1945.

Thanks!

On my list, the closest I show to SN 628335 is 6281xx which shipped in 5/1931. But yours could easily have been shipped within a year either side of that, possibly as late as 1933 or 1934. I show 6262xx (earlier than yours) as shipping in 1/1934. The grips on yours are far too early to be original. By that time the silver medallion grips would have been used. Just assume yours was shipped in the early 1930s.

Thanks for the info, DWalt. Now to get busy looking for the correct grips.

And just to show you how fallacious this guessing game we play with serial numbers and ship dates is, #640816 (also target) shipped February 8, 1932.

I think the phrase "Go figure!" might be apropos right about now.

Ralph Tremaine

Even with the obviously incorrect stocks, that is a nice looking target model. Take a gander at the case colors!

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Here's mine in the 649000 range. This is the style of lumber you want....



Mark

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S&W Forum Member #721

A really nice pair of the 1930s round top grips may be more difficult to find and more expensive than you expect. Keep looking on eBay and the gun auction sites.

...I think I see a bit of a conundrum here...OPs 1905 has a Large Ejector Rod Knob...from 1927 and later...and no address...from 1922 and earlier...

...I guess the only explanation with that serial number is that it missed getting stamped with the address at the factory...

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A Country Boy Can Survive

I didn't even notice that, but I love a good mystery.

Mark

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S&W Forum Member #721

Isn't that a King red post front sight. I know these were available in the mid-30's because my RM 1417 letters with King sights. But, was King around in the early '30's?

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

There is a star by the serial# on the butt so it went back to smith at some point. Maybe it got that sight then? I didn't get a chance to get my magnifying glass to look at the date. I will do that tonight and report back.

This is what you are looking for.

Attached Images

IMG_5107.jpg (133.9 KB, 26 views)

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.38 M&P Model of 1905 4th

First, thanks for all of the info this far!

I took the stocks off and took a closer look at the numbers (see pics). Looks like it went back to S&W in Sept of 43. Not sure about the other stampings but I'm sure that one of you guys will know.

I'd say 9/49. The diamond stamp on the grip frame could mean a refinish, but often used in connection with a letter, so I can't say for sure. The letters(VIH?) on either side of the butt SN seems strange, and it is also very odd there is no MADE IN U.S.A. stamp on the frame, even though it is certain to have been made after 1922.

I hate to be negative but it looks like a refinish to me. Look at the closeup of the left side, looks like pits covered over. And if the grips are original I would expect the rest of the gun to be as worn.

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Tom
NRA Pistol Inst

"And if the grips are original I would expect the rest of the gun to be as worn."

There is no doubt whatsoever that the grips on it are not original.

Yes-----and if memory serves, the business began in 1913 (??), and-----never mind my memory; I just found what I knew I had----just didn't know where I had it.

"Dean W.King, founder of the King Gunsight Conpany, was one of the most prolific gunsight designers in firearms history. The company he started in 1913 operated sucessfully for 42 years, first in Denver, Colorado, then in San Francisco, California. Production ended in 1955."

Besides that, I recently got a rather spiffy, and very unlikely King Super Target, and the patent date on the rib is 1938.

Ralph Tremaine