Back in January I posted this 44spl target 2nd model, I got around to get the letter done a month ago. When I got the letter it wasn't what I expected. I'm going to let you guys read the letter and look at the pictures. The gun went with me to Ohio over last weekend and it was given a good once over by Lee Jarett. It's shows no signs of me re-blued and no factory re-work marks. Lee had told me to remove the front and rear sight's to see if there was blus under them or clean metel. This is the first gun I have ever letter that did not come back the way it looked. Please give it a look and tell me what you think...

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George Jamison

George,
FWIW, it's curious that the butt swivel would have been smack in the middle of the serial number on the butt(!)
It looks like the real deal to me, and I have one that shipped about the same time as yours.
Lee's advice was good as to the blued slot.
IMHO the numbers in the database just might be scrambled in this case.
Don

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OGCA Life
NRA Life

Looks like the real deal to me. I can only guess the records are incorrect as far as your gun is concerned. Very nice

Have you thought about sending pics to Roy???

I think this is simply a case of the factory not knowing what they shipped. I imagine there are several ways in which that confusion could have occurred. In any event, the recipient in El Paso got a target .44 without a lanyard loop, which may have been what he wanted in the first place, at the price of a fixed-sight gun with a lanyard loop.

I wonder if the other gun in this shipment was also supplied in a mistaken configuration.

Regardless of the records and the letter, I would take the position that the gun in the photos never had a lanyard loop and always had an adjustable sight.

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David Wilson

Had the same thing happen to me with a Winchester letter from the Cody Museum. The rifle I have letters different than its configuration. It has been examined by several advanced collectors who agree the rifle has not been changed. Of course the museum sticks by the records. Kind of a dilema, I guess. I would agree your second model looks right as rain to me. Enjoy the the gun!
Randy

Are you gonna believe your lyin' eyes or what someone you don't know wrote down decades ago?
I agree that it is a simple mix up in the 'official' record, just adds to the mystique of the the peice to me.
Very nice find.
RD

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Got a Phd from Hard Knocks U

That gun is a 100% factory target model. I've seen many examples of incorrect shipping record info. on S&Ws over the years, some by the factory and some by Roy doing his best to decypher the records. In similar situations, I took guns to Roy and had him examine them. If he agreed that the gun was kosher, he would write me a new letter, saying in his opinion the gun was real and the records was incorrect Ed #15

For what it's worth, I have a .38 M&P 2nd change Target, that letters exactly as I bought it, except it letters with checkered walnut stocks, but it has black hard rubber grips that are numbered to the gun. As Roy has told me a number of times, he can only put down what it says in the records.

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Don Mundell

thanks for all the input, 29aholic when i sent for the
factory letter there where several pictures also sent.

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George Jamison