Was this a factory option or just aftermarket? In todays dollars, what would the rib add valuewise when comparing 2 guns of equal age and condition?
King Super Target Rib
- Thread starter boykinlp
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As far as I know, King sights were always an aftermarket. I have a 38 M&P that was shipped in 1948 and delivered directly to King's in San Francisco. King's then put the Super Police Night Sight package on the pistol and sold it. I'm sure that more were done by the owners of the gun then sent directly to King's to do, but I am not sure.
As far as value goes, it's all in the eyes of the beholder. I really don't know how a King's ribbed sight would affect the value. If it was me, I would think it would bring a bit more money, but some people like their guns to be totally stock.
As far as value goes, it's all in the eyes of the beholder. I really don't know how a King's ribbed sight would affect the value. If it was me, I would think it would bring a bit more money, but some people like their guns to be totally stock.
OP
What did the Super Police Night Sight package entail? I would assume that since this gun did not actually leave the factory with the King rib, it would not letter as having it. It would be cool if it did though.
While we are doing this, post your pics of guns with King ribs. I realize that there are some in archived threads, but many of the pics have been deleted or removed.
I don't have one and wish I did. My dream would be to have a prewar .38/44 Outdoorsman so equipped, and with thumbrest Ropers as well. A .38 M&P Target model with a King rib sight would also fit in my safe.
I would expect the sight to add at least 10-15% to the value of the gun alone, and I wouldn't be surprised if the owner asked more.
I also know some people think these are ugly monstrosities. That's fine -- the reduced competition will keep the price from rising higher for those of us who like them.
I would expect the sight to add at least 10-15% to the value of the gun alone, and I wouldn't be surprised if the owner asked more.
I also know some people think these are ugly monstrosities. That's fine -- the reduced competition will keep the price from rising higher for those of us who like them.
DHENRY
SWCA Member
Here we go...
Don
The front sight is a King red bead w/reflector base.
Rear sight is a King U-notch/white outline.
Don
The front sight is a King red bead w/reflector base.
Rear sight is a King U-notch/white outline.
So: wanna sell it?
I had a mental image of that gun in my mind when I composed my message, but I had forgotten who posted it. Thanks for taking the hint.
I forget -- is your gun prewar or transitional? Not that it matters; it's a beauty in either case.
I had a mental image of that gun in my mind when I composed my message, but I had forgotten who posted it. Thanks for taking the hint.
I forget -- is your gun prewar or transitional? Not that it matters; it's a beauty in either case.
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K-22 Outdoorsman
King Super Target Rib
Cockeyed Hammer
Roper Grips
S.D. Myres Holster---
King ribs were aftermarket additions.
Most King Sights seen on S&W's are aftermarket, the notable exception being Reg Mags.
The "Super Police night sights" usually consisted of milling the 1/2 moon off an M&P type gun and installing a gold or ivory bead. The fixed rear notch was machined into a slightly larger U with a white outline.
I don't think King ordered many, if any, guns from S&W merely to convert them and then sale them from inventory. Of course it is possible that customers ordered a gun from King, and King then ordered the gun to modify. We do know customers sometimes ordered guns from S&W, and had them shipped directly to King for custom work. I have seen guns that lettered that way.
King Super Target Rib
Cockeyed Hammer
Roper Grips
S.D. Myres Holster---
King ribs were aftermarket additions.
Most King Sights seen on S&W's are aftermarket, the notable exception being Reg Mags.
The "Super Police night sights" usually consisted of milling the 1/2 moon off an M&P type gun and installing a gold or ivory bead. The fixed rear notch was machined into a slightly larger U with a white outline.
I don't think King ordered many, if any, guns from S&W merely to convert them and then sale them from inventory. Of course it is possible that customers ordered a gun from King, and King then ordered the gun to modify. We do know customers sometimes ordered guns from S&W, and had them shipped directly to King for custom work. I have seen guns that lettered that way.
bmg60
SWCA Member
KING GUNS
HI
here is a 1926 3th model that is king sighted it is as new unfired except from the factory.
I also have king sighted guns in all 44 models from the triple lock thru the
model 21. they will be in my display at the annual meeting.
jim fisher.
HI
here is a 1926 3th model that is king sighted it is as new unfired except from the factory.
I also have king sighted guns in all 44 models from the triple lock thru the
model 21. they will be in my display at the annual meeting.
jim fisher.
DHENRY
SWCA Member
David,
The gun shipped in July of 1937.
Went (along with three others) to the King Sight Co., San Francisco.
Roy thinks King did the modifications before selling the guns.
This one went back to S&W in the mid-60's for a pretty thorough rebuild and a first-rate carbona refinish.
It has a few postwar (replacement) parts...
and a v e r y light s.a. trigger!
Glad you find it pleasing.
Don
The gun shipped in July of 1937.
Went (along with three others) to the King Sight Co., San Francisco.
Roy thinks King did the modifications before selling the guns.
This one went back to S&W in the mid-60's for a pretty thorough rebuild and a first-rate carbona refinish.
It has a few postwar (replacement) parts...
and a v e r y light s.a. trigger!
Glad you find it pleasing.
Don
OP
Don
Was the above information, including it going back for a refinish, in a S&W letter or did you figure it out from dates on the frame? Also, would it be assumed that King only did the external modifications or would they have done action work too? Thanks.
DHENRY
SWCA Member
boykinip,
Most of the information came from the factory letter, some from conversation with Roy and David Carroll.
King did hammers, action work, and custom target grips, as well as the add-ons like the rib.
Somewhere around here I have a D.W. King catalog featuring all the handguns (Colt, S&W) as well as the long guns they sold.
It's from the late 1930's, and even includes the Registered Magnum.
A buyer could purchase a bone-stock gun from King, or the accessorized version...almost any way they wanted it.
Don
Most of the information came from the factory letter, some from conversation with Roy and David Carroll.
King did hammers, action work, and custom target grips, as well as the add-ons like the rib.
Somewhere around here I have a D.W. King catalog featuring all the handguns (Colt, S&W) as well as the long guns they sold.
It's from the late 1930's, and even includes the Registered Magnum.
A buyer could purchase a bone-stock gun from King, or the accessorized version...almost any way they wanted it.
Don
Might as well show the 1917 Kings Target that was an Air force Colonels. after some careful inspection of the gun it was speculated by those more in the know than me that the Mods were done at the Factory.
here is an old Triple lock that was coverted aftermarket probably by Kings
here is an old Triple lock that was coverted aftermarket probably by Kings
OP
Very nice 1917 and TL. Did you get the 1917 lettered?
This is one of the guns I had to sell after my house fire last year 
But i know where it is and who knows maybe some day I will get it back 
Here are the rest of the pictures I have of it
But i know where it is and who knows maybe some day I will get it back Here are the rest of the pictures I have of it
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Dan,
Very interesting.
That 1917 is probably a post war gun. Did it have the modern hammer block?
Very interesting.
That 1917 is probably a post war gun. Did it have the modern hammer block?
Lee,
I cant remember, I'll see if I cant get Clem M. to bring it to the SWCA meeting next month.
Dan
I cant remember, I'll see if I cant get Clem M. to bring it to the SWCA meeting next month.
Dan
