Latest acquisition from Greensboro gunshow. Thanks to those who helped with the decision to buy. Shipped March of 1932, no letter yet. Finally got something Keith Brown worthy. You can click on the pic for a larger view.

Enjoy


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Charlie

looks good Charlie, glad you got it bought.

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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

Awesome find! Color me envious. I'm still looking for a N frame Super Target.
Congrats!

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Paul
SWCA #2864

WOW! You never know what will show up. Range report soon I hope.

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PTLAPTA!

Charlie,
You done GOOD!!!!!!

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

Maybe its just me but the rib doesn't do it for me. That being said if you like it its cool, and it certainly appears to be well done.

I gave you a like Charlie but after this I'm not liking you so much. :- )

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

Nice grab, Charlie!

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

I reeally like that Charlie. Nice find

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Matthew Conrad

Wow Charlie, that is a beauty!

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Get off my lawn!

You know that I love it!!! One of the coolest modifications out there.

Thanks for sharing,

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Wow that's really a great piece. Hope to add one to my collection one day!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Your going to love it Charlie, I found one of these in the spring and I still am grinning ear to ear every time I take it out of the safe.

Is it a short action conversion?

And so-----does it have a patent date on the rib? I ask because mine does ("8.23.38"---right side---toward the front), and I'm told some do and some don't.

Next question: When did the Super Target assemblies come into being?

Many thanks!!

Ralph Tremaine

No short action conversion. And no Date on the rib.

Charlie

Cool gun congrats on the find and thanks for posting for us less fortunates to look at and wish we had one.

Thanks for the photo's, they are great.

Stu

Fantastic gun Charlie! - Congrats!!
I got to see one in person a few months ago (paplinker's gun) and they are certainly special.

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Rick
SWCA #2727 , SWHF #435

Was the King rib factory installed?

For those of you who do not know. King gun sight custom co. was a company in California back in the late 20's, 30's ,and 40's (not real sure date company operated for in total). Was very popular with the Colt Woodsman crowd and for any of the revolvers. Sometimes the gun manfucatures' would directly ship guns to King sights or you could send the gun yourself to them. Very top notch craftsman would disassemble and mill barrel top install ribs, cockeyed hammers, slick up actions, install trigger stops, weight tubes. Basically they were the "Kings" of gun modifiers in their day. I know for an early model Colt Woodsman it cost $33 for a gun. It was $66 to have King put their full service including weight tube on them. 3 months salary back then to have a top of the line target 22. The top of the rib right behind front sight they had a mirror like piece of metal to reflect all available light onto your front sight. Front sights on the rib were also adjustable. Really neat and well executed modifications to have done on any gun for sure!! They don't make 'em like they used to!!!!!

Attached Images

king1930B.jpg (142.6 KB, 42 views)

"Very top notch craftsman would disassemble and mill barrel top-------."

I too have an N frame Super Target. It's been completely apart in the course of its "welcome bath". There is no doubt "top notch" craftsmen were involved, but my observations suggest it is unlikely the barrel was removed. The rib assembly is "full floating" (attached only at front and rear)---at the front via two pins through what remains of the original front sight---at the rear via the elevation adjusting screw. The top of the frame (top strap) has been milled (A BUNCH). I suspect the amount removed there is a matter of formula---and the same on all guns of any given model. The (original) front sight has similarly been milled. Given mine is the only one I've ever seen up close and personal, the rest is speculation----educated speculation, but speculation nonetheless. The top of the barrel at either side of the (original) front sight has also been milled----just a kiss (and the rib sits on top of what's left of the front sight). I suspect this kiss may or may nor appear on all such conversions, and I further suspect the amount removed there (if any), and the amount removed from the front sight is determined by jig measurement-----to establish a defined relationship between bore centerline and final rib height.

Presented for those who care one way or the other, and enjoy such forensic minutia.

Ralph Tremaine

Ralph
I see the "kiss" milling under the front sight, but nothing that I can see on the frame. Is yours a HD or OD? Could the HD's be milled and not the OD's, or is it hidden under the rib?

Charlie

Most likely correct. I did not mean to imply the barrel was removed.I'm sure they only took apart what was needed to do the job of your choice. Chances are they milled the top of frame and barrel all in place to assure consistent parallel. Most likely as you say a jig was used for the job. Very nice work! The top of my pre-woodsman with full King treatment has bug screws on top the screw holding down rib. Only the old time craftsman used bug screws. I think the use of them completely disappeared by the 70's. I know colt used them in the older da revolvers as well as King. I'm sure many top notch guns created back in the day used common practice of bug screws.

[QUOTE=crsides;139739040]Ralph
I see the "kiss" milling under the front sight, but nothing that I can see on the frame. Is yours a HD or OD? Could the HD's be milled and not the OD's, or is it hidden under the rib?

Charlie

That on the frame is a great huge chasm, and the rib sits in it.

And mine is neither an HD or OD, it's a Triple Lock--------a rather unlikely combination in view of the fact the gun shipped in 1915, and the rib came along sometime after 1938 (the patent date on the rib). It's an even more unlikely combination since the gun appears to have spent its life in a sock drawer both before and after its trip to Mr. King's.

So as to forestall any great hue and cry for pictures, I have been shamed into learning at least a little bit about my camera (a gift from my son some years ago), by "RKmesa" who will get them up here---sooner rather than later. It's a project underway as we speak.

Ralph Tremaine

Wow. I completely agree with your assessment! Those grips are great!

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Even older, even crankier....

The King Super Targets really are spectacular works of craftsmanship and the 38/44 Outdoorsmans are the perfect "canvas". I love mine and thank a certain Mr. Smith for turning it loose to me.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

As some youngsters would say, "that is the bomb" I really like those King modified revolvers. I would love to have one and without a doubt I would shoot it.

Charlie you have the luck of the Irish my friend. As always I enjoyed seeing it in person.
What a great find. I bet you did not need to be pushed much by the guys. The seller had you at hello:-)
Congratulations!

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S&WCA #3012

I never liked Corvettes either, but I recognize beauty, even if it isn't my style......Very nice piece.....I'll bet it shoots, lights out.

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760