Every now and then a NM#3 converted to .22 shows up. This one showed up in my mailbox last year. Serial number 1146, it probably started life as a .32-44 and was in excellent original condition before conversion. Normally, specimens this nice are not chosen for conversion, but scarcity of correct ammo might have been a factor. Frame, barrel, rear sight and right grip match. The front sight has been replaced.






Bob

This is interesting for a Noob like me Bob. It's neat to see the sleeved barrel and the sleeved chambers. Would the .32-44 been centerfire, so the firing pin and the firing pin hole in the frame would have been changed?

Yes, the 32-44 is centerfire----as is its stablemate, the 38-44---the ONLY two calibers offered in the NM #3 Target version numbered from 1 to 4333---if you don't count the occasional odd-ball such as #3914 which letters as NM #3 Target---and has "38 WINCHESTER CTG" stamped on the barrel.

All such as this is explained by Doctor Jinks' oft repeated statement, "They would do anything anybody would pay them to do."

And not only would they do that, it clearly was no big deal---that witnessed by the fact the letter (factory records) can't confirm the caliber of #3914. This state of affairs is explained in the letter thus: "There are no notes in the records on this revolver. It appears to have been a special order for one unit-----."

One thing we can probably be sure of is whoever ordered it paid for it---in advance!! Although, given it was shipped to Iver Johnson Sporting Goods Co. in Boston, it's better than an even bet they did business on an open account.

So here is yet another example of why we should never say never or always about anything S&W did or didn't do-----'cause somewhere, there's something to prove us wrong---again!

Yet another example of that old saying: "The hurrieder I go, the behinder I get!"

Ralph Tremaine

That is just neat.
What does the firing pin look like? I think I see a pin holding it.
I bet it weighs a ton, my .38-44 did not have the lively balance of a .44.

That looks like it “was” a rare and gorgeous 38-44 Target model to me.
Just offering another experienced perspective. ( see photo)
I’ve had collectors come to me many times over the years and ask me to undue what was done to their antique revolver. Often rare and valuable.
Sometimes I can but like the OP’s example? It’s a done deal. Those inserts are tig welded to that cylinder.
The value loss to convert a rare 38-44 Target to a 22 rf is significant. That’s as nice as I can be. I stand on the side that discourages caliber conversion. Especially rare guns.
I hope it’s a good shooter.

Murph

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Nice gun and a timely thread. I was thinking of selling my .22 Target Model but have no clue what such a gun is worth. It was converted from .44 Russian in the 1920s by a railroad blacksmith/machinist. I bought it from his grandson. The extractor system is amazing. The barrel was lined by a turned down .22 rifle barrel but part of it is now a slight barrel extension. firing pin appears to be reversed to hit the rim. The sights are so fine that my 67 year old eyes just can't deal with them. So don't blame the gun for that target.

Well, such conversions are most certainly criminal----but seemed like a good idea at the time---never mind you could likely buy a nice .22 for less than the cost of the conversion.

Yet another example of "Whatever floats your boat!"----or "There ain't no accounting for some folks' taste!"

Then again, maybe it's one of those "I wonder if I could, and sure enough; I could---and it was easier than I thought it would be!" deals.

Ralph Tremaine

I’ve been tempted a few times to convert a few antique revolvers to 22cal only because they were in terrible condition to begin with.
However, before I begin any project I think it through. Time, cost, benefit, etc.
It never made sense to go through with it. Unaltered parts are worth a lot now. Alter the cylinder, barrel, frame at the recoil shield, hammer,? Now what’s it worth?

That’s why I never did it.

Murph

Hi There,


I find these .22 conversions of NM#3's interesting. I saw one in
an auction last year that was the best conversion I've seen. I didn't
bid on it an I don't remember what it fetched but in retrospect, I
wished I had gone for it.

I think an interesting collection of these .22 conversions could be
assembled; showing the different approaches to the problem.

I do wonder, would this conversion technically make such a revolver
no longer an antique (unless the conversion was done before
1899)?


Cheers!
Webb

You need to remember, 80 years ago these revolvers were pretty worthless. Someone paid a gunsmith to make a worthless paperweight into a shooter. It doesn't make sense now, but it might have then.

__________________
S&WHF #946
S&WCA #3824

I have some original early catalogs from gun shops in San Francisco in the 1920’s. The term collectible is used often in the catalogs referring to old target guns and guns “ From the last Century”. These shops are long gone but I did actually witness one of them about 40 years ago. The San Francisco Gun Exchange was the last of the great gun shops.
I think collectors really have their beginnings in the early 1920’s. That’s a little over 100 years ago. At least on this side of the Island they did.

Murph

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Apologies to red9 for the thread drift. The SF Gun Exchange closed in 1999 after the owner, Nate Posner passed away. His son and daughter, Bob and Beth, ran the shop until San Francisco harassed and regulated them out of business.

To keep this S&W related, there was a display cabinet to the left of the door upon entering that had many S&W's. I miss this place and Ellington's too.

__________________
Mike Maher #283

I quite like the idea of turning an "obsolete calibre", called that here in the UK into a nice shooter. Bet it's pretty decent too. I would love to do that to mine as I did fancy getting a .22 and starting target shooting. Alas, it couldn't be done here, so the pistol stays in the cabinet.

Have they outlawed reloading there too? Simple reloading can put that 32-44 Target back to work.

So many reloading experts but none of them seem to reload.
Actually considering a cartridge conversion over simple reloading?

Oh, wait… I get it.. you have to be able to buy your ammo right?

Murph

"Have they outlawed reloading there too? Simple reloading can put that 32-44 Target back to work."


If the Home Office knew that I would get it taken off me and it would become a section 5.


For god sake keep that quiet BMur :-)

You folks need to “BUCK-UP” in the UK.
I live in California (aka) THE FRONT LINES! It’s a war here. Not by choice but for defense of our rights!
It never ends but we DO NOT LAY DOWN! Ever! Get organized and make valid points heard loud and clear! Or it will only get worse.

Murph

Totally agree .The UK laws regarding firearms are getting worse. It's getting harder to get Firearms Certificates & Shotgun license's now. They would rather us have none at all. But it's the criminals who are getting and using them. We....the UK public are NOT allowed to have or carry anything in defence yet again the criminals are carrying and using knives especially. Big joke over here.

I agree, it is very much akin to putting a belly button small block engine in a Model T. Something so common and relatively useless as roads improved and speed became more effective, rather than toodling across your neighbor's alfalfa field to take the short cut up to his house.