Should the topstrap on a Triple Lock Target have a matt finish ? Or would that be an owner improvement sort of thing ? It seems very professional.

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Regards,
Bruce

Should be polished just like the rest of the gun. Appears to have been bead blasted....

Mark

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S&W Forum Member #721

Rear site had a hole in it. Is that normal?


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Sight elevation screw is missing.

Mark

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S&W Forum Member #721

I'll bet the screw is underneath the hole,
but the blue doesn't look like mine.

The elevation screw may or may not be missing. The hole you see allows access to the screw-----with a little-bitty screwdriver---seemingly very popular at the time---and on until WWII---at which time it seems most everybody's' eyesight deteriorated to the point larger screws and larger screwdrivers came into vogue.

Ralph Tremaine

As an aside, this is one of four such sights (in addition to 8-10 others) used on various of pre-war target guns. The objective was to diminish the possibility of the sight "shooting loose"---by virtue of the fact the sight body is pressing down on the screw with a bit of spring pressure (from the tang). They finally achieved their objective in the early 30's (only about 50 years after they started making adjustable sights) with what we refer to as the "two screw" sight (that found on the 357 Magnum, and others of the era)-----if/when the sight is properly adjusted/locked---and properly adjusting and locking is somewhat counter intuitive, so "Please read the instructions!"----or else!!

And---having sat and stared, I swear I can see a screw slot down in that hole.

No, not a factory top strap treatment. But if that TL is not lettered, I'd letter it. Special order features from that era that are confirmed with a letter, never cease to amaze me.

I also think I see a screw slot.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

It never ceases to amaze me how much stuff you know I learn something everytime I come on this forum. Thanks for posting the gun and thanks for adding information special kudos to Ralph that us very good information to know .

The screw is there. Just deep, like my 1899 Targets.

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Regards,
Bruce

For that matter, if you have a screwdriver small enough, remove the other screw and see if the sight has the same serial number as the gun stamped underneath on the bottom of the sight.

One would think if they where worried about glare that the top of the sight assembly itself would have also got the same treatment.

Here's an interesting modification to a 1912 Triplelock Target -- a second screw added to the sight tang and rounded rear sight blade. I do not believe this is a factory mod due to the heat discoloration.

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Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

Methinks you might'a sort'a gots your lowers and highers back'ards.

I'll bet it lost its spring tension with the heat.

Tom,

I agree. The factory retrofix looks like this:



By 1935 however the 2nd screw elevation lock screw became standard located just in front of the original.

Except on the I frames which had the retrofix installed when sent back, until Micro Click post war sights replaced the pre war sight.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Ralph,

It's good to have friends on here to keep me straight! I was thinking of the I frames which at least by the 1920s use the T slot similar to the post war Micro Click sight.

I forgot (again) that the TL sight elevation screw is different, It threads directly into the top strap, not in the hole in the sight leaf. Therefore the screw stays at the same level and does not move up or down at all relative to the sight leaf, it just spins in the access hole as you posted.

Thank you,

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Jim
S&WCA #819

And speaking of screwdrivers small enough----for the screw, but big enough to grab onto (without having to make your own): Lowes--Kobalt #0525844, Precision Screwdriver Set. That's the good news.

The bad news is you get 10 tools for maybe $10-$12, so they figure to be junk. Back to good news: I've had my set for a good while, and no sign of junk has appeared---and the straight blade drivers are even hollow ground.

I have a set of small drivers from Brownells-----in a fancy, fitted wooden box----cost A BUNCH!! I haven't used them for quite some time.

Ralph Tremaine

I have gotten away with using a Craftsman Precision Screwdriver set for years when it comes to this small intricate stuff. I have a strong attraction to nice tools, which goes along with the attraction to fine early Smith and Wesson revolvers. I broke down and bought a set of Grace gunsmith screwdrivers a few years ago, then went all in and recently picked up a set of Grace "Pistol" screwdrivers, just the thing for keeping those screws in factory fresh condition, they are number P1-maybe P8 and a P1 is probably the right one for that small top screw. However when it comes to something really tiny I'm gonna reach for those trusted Craftsman's.