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06-28-2020, 04:55 PM
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Unusual Early 8" 38 M&P Target - Quick Range Report
I took a chance on an unusual 38 M&P Target a short time ago and have finally got it all cleaned up and ready for the range. I was able to remove every screw like they had been turned yesterday and easily stripped the insides to clean up as well. The slots of all screws were full of oil/dust and I had to clean out the slot before turning them. My guess is that the owner took very good care of the gun, but it had been a very long time in storage.
What makes this 38 HE Target unusual is that it has an 8” Target barrel. Perfectly made barrel with forged front sight base and proper swell at the frame. The barrel also has the forged lug for the extractor rod and has only the last three numbers of the serial number under the barrel. The gun is unusual enough since it is such an early target model, shipped in 1908 with serial number 106688. The gun has smooth metal, never buffed or sanded, but much is blue/brown patina. Oil makes it look very nice, but the finish is no longer glossy.
I know of only two 8” 38 Military revolvers and they were Model 1899s. Mike Priwer owns them. They apparently left the factory as special orders, but without barrel stampings. This barrel is also completely naked, except for the 3 digit serial number 688, so certainly a curious gun. It appears that the barrel has the same patina as the frame and probably been together for a very long time, if not forever. Actually, I do not care if the barrel is factory or not, since it is such a great looking old target revolver, but am curious if it came out the front or back door of the factory that way? Oh, the last thing is that it is a left hand twist barrel??
So I will be off to the range soon to see how it shoots and also take along my 1910 5” Target and 1925 6” Target. All I need to find are some left-hand bullets! 
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Gary
SWCA 2515
Last edited by glowe; 07-13-2020 at 10:05 PM.
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06-28-2020, 06:25 PM
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What a beauty!!! And the shorter ones are not that bad either. 
We look forward to seeing what you learn about it’s history.
Thanks for sharing.
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Richard
Engraved S&W fan
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06-28-2020, 07:11 PM
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I'd be sending off for a factory letter on this'un so fast it would make your head spin. I love the tube length and those early grips! There's gotta be a story on this gun. Thanks for the pics.
Roger
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06-28-2020, 07:15 PM
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M&P's
What a Beauty!! The target flavors seem to have always eluded me  Good luck with her. CONGRATS!!
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06-28-2020, 07:17 PM
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Well you already know where I stand on this one. Congratulations Gary.
If C askin's come up well...
BTW have you consulted Mike on this ?
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S&WCA #2726
Last edited by weatherby; 06-28-2020 at 07:24 PM.
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06-28-2020, 08:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by weatherby
Well you already know where I stand on this one. Congratulations Gary.
If C askin's come up well...
BTW have you consulted Mike on this ?
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I checked my PMs with Mike and he said there are actually 3 known 8" 1899s and one more that may be out there. Of course, this barrel length was not supposed to exist. Original stocks are well worn and they need the checkering re-cut so I put another set on for the photo shoot. I have done many, but gets harder to see those fine lines as years pass, so I may have them done by someone else.
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Gary
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06-28-2020, 08:11 PM
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You have sent for the letter?
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Paul
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06-29-2020, 02:19 PM
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Ordered Roy's letter this morning. We shall see what he can find?
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Gary
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06-29-2020, 02:48 PM
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That's really neat Gary, thanks for posting!
8" M&P's!- learn something new every day.
Edit:
I recall Mike posted one of the 8" 1899's recently. Nickel I believe.
Found it.
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Last edited by delcrossv; 06-29-2020 at 03:06 PM.
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06-29-2020, 06:09 PM
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1899?
Given the lugs on all three of the OPs guns, aren't these all later than a Model 1899?
The posts above don't seem to make a direct statement as to the vintage of the OPs guns, but all the references to Model 1899s seem a bit confusing..........
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06-29-2020, 06:19 PM
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Thank you for sharing...this forum is like going to the S&W Museum...but better! Beautiful revolver. Congratulations!
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06-29-2020, 06:29 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andyinlz
Given the lugs on all three of the OPs guns, aren't these all later than a Model 1899?
The posts above don't seem to make a direct statement as to the vintage of the OPs guns, but all the references to Model 1899s seem a bit confusing..........
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The issue is the 8" barrel, not the model of the guns. I stated that the revolver was a Model 1905 that shipped in 1908, plus dated the other two in my picture of the three. There were only 3 or 4 other 8" M&Ps ever reported and those were Model 1899s. In reality, there is only 6 to 10 years between my 1908 and the Model 1899s that ran until 1902.
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Gary
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06-30-2020, 02:42 AM
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1899?
Sorry....I did not see a reference to it being a Model 1905.
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07-13-2020, 12:20 PM
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Got to the range and shot a couple of 5 shot groups. I was impressed that the old 38 shot a close pattern, at least for me. Shooting a 3" group at 15 yards, it was like other M&P Target revolvers in that it shot high. I needed a point of aim about 4 1/2" below the bullseye. That is with the rear sight all the way down. Not sure what these guns were set up to shoot, but these were the results with lightly loaded 148 HBWCs. Will do some more load testing, but am happy that the gun functions just fine with the typical feel and function that I am accustomed to.
More to follow as I am waiting on a letter, so will report back then.
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Gary
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07-13-2020, 12:37 PM
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Probably sighted in for a six o’clock hold, light loads and the one-handed “tea drinker’s” target shooting grip of the olden days.
Cool gun!
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Alan
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07-13-2020, 01:20 PM
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Wonderful!!
That is one good looking old Target Model..!
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07-13-2020, 02:22 PM
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Regulated for a 6 o'clock hold at 25 yards, on the X at 50 yards most likely. It is amazing how accurate S&W's K-frame revolvers, especially those in 22LR and 38 Special, can be.
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07-13-2020, 07:21 PM
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Just one 'way neat' gun. I'm blown away by the pre "Great War" vintage! Know nothing special about such vintage. Will be looking forward to that Factory Letter and learning something myself! Were it mine, I'd likely never 'redo' the grips unless quite bad. Original is original is...
Big congrats and...
Best!
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08-21-2020, 09:05 PM
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Speaking of the grips on the 8" 1905, here is a picture of both sides of the grips.
Interestingly, you'll notice the condition of the finish on small portions of the gun. These were the 'before Gary's cleanup and oiling' of the gun. Recalling the earlier pictures of the gun now, the finish is noticeably different. Perhaps its the lighting that was used in the 'before' pictures.
These next two pictures are of the left and right sides of the full gun. The top half of each picture is before the cleanup, and the bottom half is after the cleanup. I find this to be absolutely stunning!
Regards, Mike Priwer
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08-22-2020, 09:17 AM
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Not to belabor the photo issue, but I took three quick images of the same revolver to show the affects of too much lighting. I took three quick shots of the same gun with three different types of lighting to show how easy it is to wash out the colors with too much light. First one is a flood, second is a flash close-up, and third is natural light, no flash. The gun in hand looks like the last as long as it is oiled. This points out the problems with online bidding, but in my case, it was a positive outcome.
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Gary
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08-22-2020, 09:35 AM
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Gary I may have missed it but have you heard back on the letter yet ?
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Paul
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08-22-2020, 09:58 AM
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No, still waiting Paul. My understanding that letters are running 2 to 3 months behind right now. I sent in the form mid-July, so maybe next month.
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Gary
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08-22-2020, 10:22 AM
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I just received a letter on an 1899 last week, and it took about 11 weeks.
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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244
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08-23-2020, 05:46 PM
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My favorite model S&W with an extra couple inches of barrel, doubt I’ll ever come across one of those but I can dream !
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08-23-2020, 06:20 PM
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You gonna appendix carry that thang for quick trips to the Piggly Wiggly?
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08-23-2020, 08:11 PM
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It ought to shoot well when you find the right loads for it. Good luck.
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08-31-2020, 03:45 PM
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Well . . . the letter came today. It is interesting, not because of what it says, but rather what it does not say. The gun did have a record of shipment with only one other M&P to Bourne & Bond Company, Louisville, KY. I guess that not many questions were answered, but I kind of like it that way!!!
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Gary
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Last edited by glowe; 08-31-2020 at 03:49 PM.
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