Model 18 with TT & TH....How Common?

[kemper]

I have a S&W Model 18 no dash with a 4 inch barrel and a target trigger and target hammer. I love this revolver. Very accurate. but not as accurate as my Model 17. Feels good in my hand.

Several "friends" have made offers up to $750 for this revolver
(I paid much less a few years ago), but I enjoy shooting this 22 revolver too much to sell it. Several have mentioned that Model 18 revolvers with target triggers and hammers are pretty rare, but I am not so sure that is true. Thought I would ask those on this forum who know more on the subject matter than myself.

 

[kemper]

Couple of more pics

Added a couple of more pics.
Hope this helps.
When was this revolver manufactured ?

 

[usm1rifle]

Do you have the original box or a factory letter?

I have a pre-18, 18-1 and 18-2 and none of them have TH, TT but I believe they were options.

Since the stocks have been changed on your weapon, it is possible the hammer and trigger were changed too. K 349xxx probably shipped in late 1958.

The only way to find out exactly when it shipped and with what options is with a factory letter. They are being received again.

 

[arjay]

Hard to say.I have one made in '52 and it has a target hammer.

 

[lowriderfxr]

Unfortunately the word rare is probably the most misused word in the firearms hobby these days. If it's not common , people immediately jump to rare. Scarce doesn't even hardly get mentioned these days. Sorry for the rant.

The short answer is no, they are not rare. I've had people tell me that they didn't come with target hammer and trigger with magna stocks but I have one in the original box in my safe. It's fair to call them uncommon but since the TT and TH were offered as a replacement part , without a letter, which may or may not mention them, or at least the original box, there's no way to know for sure if it came with them or not.

The good news is your revolver was probably made around 1948 and the TT and TH are very desirable options.

Sometime after about 1968 or so it lost it diamond stocks , possibly because they were magnas and someone wanted targets. You may want to look for a pair of K diamond target stocks , those are very rarely (proper use of the word ) , numbered so your revolver would be in a configuration that was offered and therefore period correct.

If you're happy with that later targets, enjoy it. That's a very fine desirable revolver and regardless of what I paid , I'd never sell it for 750.00 or even more. You may not ever find another one.

 

[lowriderfxr]

Oops didn't see the whiteout on the last digit. Yes, 1958. Havnt had my coffee, a 1948 K22 masterpiece wouldn't be model marked!!

 

[loc n load]

model 18

I bought an 18 back in the mid 70's ( still have it), it was purchased (new) to be a companion to my model 15 and 19. It came with the TH & TT, still have the box and it is marked to reflect that. My 18 is one of the most accurate revolvers I own, and that is saying something as I own a ransom rest and have shot most of my revolvers from it. The 18 has been my companion on many an outdoor outing for decades and continues to serve me well.

 

[kemper]

So the stocks are not original to the gun ?

Do you have the original box or a factory letter?

I have a pre-18, 18-1 and 18-2 and none of them have TH, TT but I beleive they were options.

Since the stocks have been changed on your weapon, it is possible the hammer and trigger were changed too. K 349xxx probably shipped in late 1958.

The only way to find out exactly when it shipped and with what options is with a factory letter. They are being received again.

Thanks for the information. What would the original stocks that came with the revolver look like ?
What are original and period correct S&W Model 18 stocks selling for these days ?

 

[kemper]

Thanks

Unfortunately the word rare is probably the most misused word in the firearms hobby these days. If it's not common , people immediately jump to rare. Scarce doesn't even hardly get mentioned these days. Sorry for the rant.

The short answer is no, they are not rare. I've had people tell me that they didn't come with target hammer and trigger with magna stocks but I have one in the original box in my safe. It's fair to call them uncommon but since the TT and TH were offered as a replacement part , without a letter, which may or may not mention them, or at least the original box, there's no way to know for sure if it came with them or not.

The good news is your revolver was probably made around 1948 and the TT and TH are very desirable options.

Sometime after about 1968 or so it lost it diamond stocks , possibly because they were magnas and someone wanted targets. You may want to look for a pair of K diamond target stocks , those are very rarely (proper use of the word ) , numbered so your revolver would be in a configuration that was offered and therefore period correct.

If you're happy with that later targets, enjoy it. That's a very fine desirable revolver and regardless of what I paid , I'd never sell it for 750.00 or even more. You may not ever find another one.

Thanks so much for the information. Much appreciated

 

[usm1rifle]

Original Stocks?

They would have been either magnas or targets with a diamond around the screw holes.

 

[shinbone]

This Model 18 (dash number is unspecified) in beautiful condition with the 3 T's went for $711 a few weeks ago. It ended up being an 18-3 and came with the factory box. I am not sure if the 3 T's are factory, though.

Smith And Wesson Model 18 : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

 

[viceunit]

My 18-4 with matching box, numbered magnas came with TT and TH as marked on the label. Serial # 24K99XX. I think it's an early -4.

 

[Drm50]

I'm a hopin they came factory on 18-3, because I just pushed the
button on one, on forum. Gentleman gave me history of gun and
Previous owner....left me little doubt that it was factory original.

 

[Retired W4]

I'll throw in my $0.02. I have an 18-2 that has the 3 T's but no box. Parts are easy to change with the stocks being the easiest. The gun is so handsome I had to get a letter. No disappointment. Not rare but somewhat unusual with factory verification.

 

[H Richard]

They were factory options and not infrequently ordered that way. Later S&W sold parts from displays in your LGS, and anyone could buy target hammers and triggers across the counter.

 

[markepilot]

Here is my 18-3 with 3 T's. After doing some research I feel that the TT and TH are fairly common on these guns. I don't have the box so I can't honestly say they are original. To be honest I don't care that much. The gun is a beauty and I love to shoot it. Like all Smith's if you take care of them they will appreciate over time.

 

[Cooter Brown]

For what it's worth my 22 CM (circa 1951) has a target hammer and a standard trigger. I shoot it double action most of the time.

It'd be interesting to know if the hammer is original (I think this style TH was available then) but I'm not likely to letter it. The grips are original.

Next to my Masterpiece from 1947:

 

[alwslate]

I have an 18-4 with magnas and the TT and TH and is so marked on
the box label. Since the TT and TH are usually seen with target stocks
I assumed my gun must have been ordered with the TT and TH and
they were not standard equipment.

 

[lowriderfxr]

I don't think the 18s with TT , TH and magnas stocks are al that uncommon either.

 

[mikeruns]

I have one with TH/TT and haven't seen one without them so it seems common and not rare. My favorite rimfire!