Trying to identify this S&W 22 target pistol. Single shot, top break. Barrel is 10" long. Patent Oct. 01, Feb. 08, Sept. 09. Serial number 7668. Have shot it. Single action only. Super accurate.

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Looks like a third model single shot also known as the Perfected Target Pistol. Produced 1909 to 1923. Should also shoot double action. Nice gun.

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James Redfield
LM #497

thank you James. It is a gun I inherited from my father-in -law. Has always only shot single action.

I tend to be critical of those who jump to unwarranted conclusions based upon what I deem to be fallacious and/or incomplete data.

And that said, here I go: I swear that sideplate is not properly seated. And before you start trying to tighten screws and/or whammity-baming with a hammer, please remove the sideplate and find out why it's sticking up----if in fact it's sticking up. It's noteworthy there is a right way and a wrong way to remove the sideplate. And if you don't know which is which, trust me----you are not alone! All you have to do is ask.

Ralph Tremaine

And I have heard-tell of single action only 3rd Models. I tend to doubt they were born that way, but--------------. As I remember the innards of one of these things, it's a small matter to render them SA only. And if I'm right, it's an equally small matter to make them "right" again----although I'm hard pressed to come up with a good reason to make them "right". They make more sense "wrong"-----at least for a shooter.

That is an old pic.It does look like the side plate is not seated. A gun shop owner/friend of mine had taken the plate off. Here are 2 new pics. It looks good now.

I don't know much about these guns but some of the reasearch I did indicated that many were "modified" for enhanced target shooting. That probably includes making it single action only.

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Okay, I'm happy now!!

And you're correct----many were modified. Sometimes such modifications make perfect sense, others are at least intellectually sound, and some just probably seemed like a good idea at the time. All said and done, if made the owner happy at the time, then it was a good idea.

Ralph Tremaine

With that serial number it is extremely unlikely you have an Olympic chamber, but it never hurts to check.

And while you didn't ask, one of mine is #7642; and was shipped February 17, 1916. Yours was likely (but certainly not necessarily) shipped about the same time.

Glad you are happy Ralph. Thank you for the response.

Olympic Chamber ? How is that determined ?

That is amazing that the serial numbers are so close. Must have been made in the same batch.

The Olympic chamber is a "short chamber"----actually a short lead which forces the bullet into the rifling when the cartridge is seated (with some effort/force). There are actually two different such chambers within this series, but that's beside the point. Simply drop a cartridge into the chamber. If it goes all the way in, you do not have an Olympic chamber. If it sticks out (about .130" on the earlier, shorter chamber/about .100" on the later, longer chamber) you do have it. The benefit is remarkably enhanced accuracy.

Ralph Tremaine

22 cartridge drops right in. Not an olympic chamber.

I see one of these on gunbroker for $1050. I am more of a upland hunter/shotgunner and have my eye a nice addition to that collection and may consider selling this gun. Is there a ballpark fair price range for this type of gun ?

The $1050 you note is close enough for government work. The condition of the gun is everything----unless it's a 6"/8" version. (Then all bets are off and it's pretty much worth whatever you can get for it!) I can't really tell that much about the condition of your gun. What I can see is the grips are pretty funky, and the rest is need of a good bath----including a good rub-down with bronze wool and oil. If it was me, I'd ship the grips off to one of our grip restoration guru's (DWFan comes to mind) and have them do their thing. I don't know what that might cost, but it doesn't make any difference---it's worth it. Then I'd concentrate on making the rest of the gun look as good as it can (See bronze wool and oil above.) The better it ends up looking, the more you can get for it----nothing complicated.

Some other folks here are likely better equipped to comment on value than I am. I don't sell guns hardly at all. And when I buy one, the price is about the last thing I care about. If I pay too much today, everything will be fine tomorrow---or the day after-----and if it isn't, I don't really care.

Ralph Tremaine

Some strictly personal opinion: I would expect, or not be surprised, to pay at least $2,000 for a like new gun---maybe more. I don't pay any attention to these as they appear on the market----unless it's something really special----and the only really special one I don't have is an 8". Truth be known, I have never even seen a legitimate 8"----and I'm not holding my breath until I do!!

Ralph,

Thank you for your input. I will clean it up a little. The grips don't look that bad to me but, then again, I have only seen one of these guns.

Good luck. I hope you find your 8 incher.

Bob

I have watched several 22 SS pistols at auction and almost all sold for $750 or less. A few high finish examples sold for around $1000.

From the pictures you posted, your example has quite a bit of finish loss, slightly modified mechanism, dull and well used stocks, and the most common barrel length. I would say it would sell for $750 at auction today, but could be cleaned up and then maybe a little more.

The $1050 22 SS on GB has been relisted 3 times without a sale, so it is apparently not worth what the seller is asking. The last SS up for sale received bids on GB that went to $550 and did not meet reserve, so not sold. I just watched a 10" 22 SS Perfected sell for just over $700 with around 90% finish last week.

They are great pistols and with the family heritage definately makes it a keeper. Besides they create quite a bit of interest at the range.

BTW - best target 22 out there, in my opinion. is the post-war K22 Masterpiece!

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Thank you for the info. It does cause quite a bit of interest when brought to the range. My fellow club members all want a look at it and a try shooting it.

Hate to say this on a S&W web site but my best/most accurate 22 is a Colt Officer's Model revolver. Super accurate even in my hands.

Bob

rtc269, here is an 8" single shot for you. It is not mint by any means, and the barrel numbers to a 2nd model but fitted to a 3rd model.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244