I stopped by a local pawn shop recently just to browse the gun section. These guys have a lot of inventory but are not the most savvy when it comes to old revolvers. Nice folks but they don't always appreciate the older guns and this can make for a good buy every now and then.

I spotted this gem and tried not to appear too interested. Pretty nice Model 18-3 wearing a set of target stocks. I asked them to remove to the stocks to look underneath and found no issues - no rust or pitting. Overall a few handling marks here and there and a faint turn line but in nice shape - a really nice shooter, just the way I like 'em. Great case colors on the target hammer and target trigger.

We haggled a bit and I got them down a hundred bucks to $500. Serials to 1971. The stocks have a date stamped on the inside of one panel from 1984 so I suppose someone swapped out the originals at that time or later. No matter. No box, papers or tools but I don't mind. This is not a collector grade example. Fits nicely in my collection though and compliments my trio of Pre-Model 17s.

Yup, post 1982 style targets. Likely had Magnas as OEM. You got a good deal.

__________________
No life story has happy end.

That gun looks great. You did very well.
George

Nice 18-3 CM,
Football relieved black washer GA or Walnut targets would go nicely with the wide TT/TH combo... Wondering if the TT is serrated or has been smoothed ?

Congratulations, as that's a great find as Model 18's are hard to find because people rarely let them go once they have them.

Good for you! Now enjoy shooting it.

Nice find, especially with the TT and TH. Not a terribly common combination. Correct target stocks are easy to find, and since targets were generally not numbered to the gun, you'll have a complete package. Enjoy it.

Thanks for nice comments guys. A Model 18 has been on my want list for a while but I've never found one when I was looking. As it usually happens you finally see one when you're not looking for it.

Very nice. I've seen exactly two 18s for sale in MD in the past 4 years, and I got one of them (a 4-screw pre-18, actually). You paid significantly less than I did.

My guess is some swine is hoarding them...

nice find.
congrats

Looks just like mine. Mine had TT and TH, but I don't like the way they feel, so I replaced them. I do still have them though, just in case I change my mind. I originally paid about $250.00 for mine about 20 years ago, but let a fellow officer trade me out of it. When he died a few months back, I gave his widow $500.00 to get it back. The next fellow to get it will have to buy it from MY widow, because I'm not letting it get away again.

__________________
Retired Dep Sheriff & Armorer