Found an M&P Target 4th change * New Pictures post #14

RacingSnake · #1 07-04-2020, 08:30 AM

I love these pre-war M&Ps.

Just bought this 4th change M&P target. Serial # 6733** - guessing around 1937/38 manufacture?

The blueing and stocks are in very good condition.

Some wear behind the hammer and in front of the cylinder stop.
Only have pictures from the dealer at this stage. Serial number on the cylinder matches. Waiting to confirm if the number under the grips is the same.

RacingSnake · #2 07-04-2020, 08:34 AM

Three more pictures

Bob L · #3 07-04-2020, 08:42 AM

Very nice find RacingSnake. Are you planning on shooting it?

glowe · #4 07-04-2020, 08:51 AM

Very nice 38 M&P Target revolver and they shoot great. I have a few now, but none from the 1930s yet. Having assembled a meager collection of K22 Outdoorsman's, 32 Winchester, and38 M&P Targets from 1900s, 1910s, 1920s, and 1930s. I guess I also need a 1930s 38 M&P Target example, since I only have K22s from the 1930s. Love the trigger pull on the Target revolvers. We do not normally track manufacture dates for most S&Ws since their records reflect ship dates and not manufacturing dates. Likely your revolver shipped in 1939.

The stocks are nice, but show wear on the very tips of the checkering, plus someone has polished off the silver plating revealing the brass base metal, making them initially look like 1910s stocks. I only have a couple guns with pristine checkering and they do feel very different from even those with slight wear, and even prickly to the touch. That feel must wear off quickly with use.

RacingSnake · #5 07-04-2020, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob L

Very nice find RacingSnake. Are you planning on shooting it?

Thanks Bob. I'm sure I'll put some light target loads together and shoot it.

RacingSnake · #6 07-04-2020, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glowe

The stocks are nice, but show wear on the very tips of the checkering, plus someone has polished off the silver plating revealing the brass base metal, making them initially look like 1910s stocks. I only have a couple guns with pristine checkering and they do feel very different from even those with slight wear, and even prickly to the touch. That feel must wear off quickly with use.

Thanks Gary. I was wondering about the medallions because SCSW said silver.

Would like to get a period correct S&W 'T-grip' for when shooting it.

glowe · #7 07-04-2020, 09:18 AM

I added an image of my targets above and the bottom two revolvers have the silver medallions. I know of people who have pressed those brass ones out and had them silver plated. The silver plating is easily done, but I do not know how to get them out of the stock since the reverse end is basically riveted into the wood.

I found a set of S&W grip adapters and put them on one of my K22s and they do help, but those are later vintage than the gun. I do not know if any clip on adapters were made in the 1930s or not?? Maybe Meerschaum? Anyway, the S&W monogrammed adapter looks and works good. I still see them on ebay from time to time.

As I was writing this post, it dawned on me that you might have a K22 and not a 38?? Which do you have?

RacingSnake · #8 07-04-2020, 09:30 AM

It's a .38.

I would like to letter the gun as I live in S Africa and keen to know if it might have got here after the war - perhaps with a returning serviceman. Obviously most of the colonial S&W's were .38/200 but one never knows. Us collectors always looking for a story

Keith Brown · #9 07-04-2020, 01:22 PM

That’s a dandy M&P Target ! My favorite model S&W. Great that it’s still wearing its original stocks also. Don’t believe anyone polished the plating away, many are like that as the plating was sometimes more of a wash and some medallions were not completely clean before the plating process. They look very proper on the gun and I would leave them alone if it was mine. Removing medallions can go well....or not, and then you have a much larger problem. Shoot it and take care of it, lots of fun right there.
Thanks for showing.

DWalt · #10 07-04-2020, 04:26 PM

6733xx was probably shipped during the late 1938 to early 1939 period, but it is not possible to pin it down any closer than that without a letter. It is possible that it may have been manufactured as early as sometime in 1937. I'd leave the medallions alone.

Thinnes · #11 07-04-2020, 08:52 PM

Wow,that’s quite a journey. Like to know that story. Beautiful gun, too. Dave

J. R. WEEMS · #12 07-04-2020, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacingSnake

Thanks Gary. I was wondering about the medallions because SCSW said silver.

Would like to get a period correct S&W 'T-grip' for when shooting it.

Have one in black plastic. Marked S&W with no other markings. Tried it on my 1937 M&P pretty snug fit far as I can tell but I am by no means an expert on grip adapters. I have a Tyler I am replacing it with if there is an interest.

wish I would of caught that one 1937 is my wifes birth year.

hsguy · #13 07-04-2020, 11:20 PM

I have always thought the pre-war .38 M&P target guns some of the finest S&W's built. Wonderful fit and finish and superb action. They always just felt right in my hand, my only issue is the tiny rear sight which are a challenge to my aging eyes. Probably my favorite gun is my 22/40, non-ribbed barrel but the later style micrometer sights and a joy to shoot, best of both worlds!

RacingSnake · #14 10-25-2022, 11:49 AM

Finally got this one stripped, thoroughly cleaned and put together. Also added a coat of Renaissance Wax.

What a beautiful revolver.