Picked up my first King Super Target today. It is a Model .455 H.E. 2nd model, .45 Colt. There was a friendly debate regarding what this gun began as, but after some conversation and in-hand inspection it appears to be a .455 Mark II shipped July 1916 and presumably one of the 724* shipped in 45 Colt sent to Ottawa Canada. Based upon polishing patterns it looks like the original sideplate stamping was polished off and replaced with postwar style. Again the polishing suggests to me that Canadian markings were removed at the top right corner of the frame (left side) and beneath the barrel pin (left side) above yoke. Although the grip frame appears absent of any stamping ever being present such as the common Crown over “30” stamp. The matching serial number is located on the barrel flat, cylinder, yoke, grip frame. The ejector star (underside) is absent of serial number. It was refinished in November 1946, at which point it appears the “Made in USA” and “S&W” side plate trademark were (re)applied. The re-blue stamp “B” inside a diamond/square is located on the frame, cylinder (behind ejector), and barrel flat. Another unoriginal feature is the 6 groove serrated tang/backstrap which I don’t think came along until the late 1920s, similar to the Made in USA stamp.

It seems reasonable that a prior owner had King do their handy work including an action job based upon feel and then sent it in for a refinish, as the underside of the rib is blued (for those who asked). Will need to get the sideplate off for curiosity. Last but not least the Sanderson wrap-around thumbrest Targets speak for themselves. I couldn’t pass on this one as there can’t be many .45 caliber King Super Targets in existence and if it was originally a .45 Colt sent to Canada then that’s just the icing on the cake. Next up is a SWHF letter and rework search.

Thanks for letting me share! Good hunting.

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Beau
SWCA #3106 - SWHF #643

Sweeeeeeeet!!

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Randy
Provenance nerd

I love stuff that is top of the line technology from a different era. I think this is an example - a shooter had a full on target gun built in the days when revolvers were the standard.

Did the Sanderson's come with it ?

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SWCA 1932 SWHF 135

In a single word, LOVE! This is an example of taking a desirable model then raising it to a whole other level. Congrats on a “Super” did! (pun intended. )

Froggie

Dang, that has to rank on one of the coolest finds of the year on the Forum. In one of my favorite calibers too. Congratulations.
Is there a story how you tracked that one down?

Ooooh, my King Conversion Fever just spiked again...

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Pisgah

Once you get one you immediately start looking for the next one.

Is this gun long action? I have a couple converted to short but they have the cockeyed hammer.

I also have a 1907 MP Target that went back for work sometime that the, Made in USA was added. Wonder how far back they started adding that stamp to reblued guns

Interesting seeing a SKT with the satin finish.

Kings are pretty interesting. This is the only one I have. Shipped from S&W directly to King Gunsight Company in San Francisco in 1948. This is the Super Police Night Sight package. I think it also had a trigger job done at the same time, as it's very smooth. I really would like to find a target version someday! Yours is very nice indeed!

That is one of the most interesting S&W revolvers that I have seen in a while!! Simply outstanding!!!

Just a super neat package! Congratulations on the wonderful find. I have to ask; are you going to shoot it to see how accurate it is?

Just WOW. What a marvelous piece of iron.

Magnificent!

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

Nutsforsmiths, your Super Police conversion is pretty impressive in its own right! I would guess that the cop who bought and carried that gun was a very savvy pistolero, and that he would have been well equipped in a no nonsense, all business kind of way.

I have long wanted to have that style of sight customization done on my Baby Chiefs Special... historically incorrect, but a neat package, nonetheless.

Froggie

That is a perfect example of " they don't make them like they use to ".
Beautiful revolver and a great find.

Yes the Sandersons came with the gun. They are a pretty neat set with an enclosed backstrap.

It is a long action. The trigger is smooth, not grooved, and the trigger appears to have been resurfaced/polished because it is somewhat “shiny” but still has some case color visible.

Got this one in gunbroker auction. initially it was identified as a 1917 not a .455 2nd Model, then had to determine if it was a conversion from .455. With the gun in hand I think it was originally a .45 Colt in 1916, although the factory could have replaced the cylinder in 1946. Either way it was done by S&W and done correctly.

If memory serves, the 1946 refinish was satin blued because I don’t think they were doing high polish bluing during that timeframe while getting postwar production up and running?

Looking forward to shooting this one, hopefully soon. Thanks for sharing in the excitement and the compliments.

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Beau
SWCA #3106 - SWHF #643

Beau:

A beautiful example of King's contribution to the art of target handgunning...

Thanks for sharing and Congrats!

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

I really like how King would groove the rear sight channel on that fixed sight revolver and inlay it white. I wish someone did that now a days.

Several years ago a aspiring gunsmith discussed this very thing with several of us on this forum. He spoke of setting up to do this conversion as soon as he graduated gunsmithing school and got set up, but apparently nothing ever came of it. I personally would jump at the chance to send my Baby Chiefs Special even now.

Froggie

The folks that tell you that these King's guns are addicting are entirely correct. After the 1st one, the next two came very quickly

I will likely buy the next one that I see

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On the Oak Savannah

Very cool revolver, I bet it is fun to shoot.

Buying a gun with King Super Target rib is like buying a 1966 Chevelle 396 with Crager SS rims.
Don't get no better that this !

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SWCA 1932 SWHF 135