38 M&P 1905 Target Questions?

wheelgun28 · #1 02-20-2015, 05:23 PM

I came across this today

38 Special, square butt and target sights. It has prewar magnas on it. I dont think it has a box but condition is 95%+ could be 99% no major blue loss noted . I didnt have time to handle it and look really closely.

I am guessing its a 4th change but I need to confirm this.

I know targets bring more money, whats a good price range on this and how common is this?

Thanks!

k22fan · #2 02-20-2015, 05:38 PM

Targets do not bring more money. The did not exist pre-war. You should be asking "What's a good price range on pre-war magnas?" Hint: a bunch.

I don't know the answer to either question. I bought a similiar condition mushroom ejector rod knob .38 special target for $120 in 1976. I'll bet a nickle they sell for more today.

Did you note how high its serial number is or whether it has the mushroom or the barrel shaped ejector rod knob? IIRC magnas didn't appear until the late 1930s but grips get changed to personal preference.

bengal fan · #3 02-20-2015, 05:45 PM

They do exist, here's mine with a HBH

In my opinion with out pictures of the gun & by your description of 95% I would say $800-1000. The prewar Magnas in excellent shape are worth $200 easily.
They are one of my favorite S&W revolvers.
Good luck!

Paul
SWCA 2864

k22fan · #4 02-20-2015, 05:48 PM

Oops! I read "targets" to mean target stocks.

Does the hump back hammer obscure the sights when it is not cocked? It looks like yours has a bead and U notch. Mine were square and patridge.

bengal fan · #5 02-20-2015, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k22fan

Oops! I read "targets" to mean target stocks.

Does the hump back hammer obscure the sights when it is not cocked? It looks like yours has a bead and U notch. Mine were square and patridge.

No, believe it or not there is barely enough room under the hammer to see the sight picture. It does have a u rear blade & a King front sight blade that the bead is broken

.
To the OP, I paid $800 for mine last fall & it is definitely no where near 95% but I really wanted the HBH.

DWalt · #6 02-20-2015, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheelgun28

I came across this today

38 Special, square butt and target sights. It has prewar magnas on it. I don't think it has a box but condition is 95%+ could be 99% no major blue loss noted . I didn't have time to handle it and look really closely.

I am guessing its a 4th change but I need to confirm this.

Thanks!

At least a SN, and a few pictures, would help answer your questions. K-frame target revolvers go back to almost the beginning of the K-frame line. Are you certain about the pre-war Magnas?

wheelgun28 · #7 02-20-2015, 08:27 PM

Thanks Guys

I will know more tomorrow!!

Stay Tuned

Göring's S&W · #8 02-22-2015, 07:53 PM

Not that many had pre war magnas WHEN SHIPPED so I think $800 is a little low, if 95% and no refurb markings even if it did not ship with magnas. In other words, its worth more than $800 if the magnas are added, and its worth more yet if they are original to the gun. Nice (95%+) original pre war M&P targets bring $800+ with standard service grips. Add $100s more if it has the humpback hammer. Add more if it letters with humpback AND the magna grips, etc. They are in demand, and they are great guns. I have a few myself...

wheelgun28 · #9 02-23-2015, 04:44 PM

I got to follow up with this today.

Sorry I was mistaken with the magnas, it has beautiful medalion stocks, they look really nice!

The serial is 5390xx

It has more blue loss than I could see mostly on the left side, holster wear it seems. Some on the high points too.

The real bad thing is someone ground the trigger guard. The front area of the left side where it meets the frame. It was smoothed down and blended. The only reason I can see it that the edge of the guard was a sharp thin edge and a left hand shooter would have rested the finger in that spot. I dont know really its strange, it was done well but still.

I didnt pull the stock to look for marks, so I dont know whats under them.

I walked away they want $600 plus tax, plus shipping, plus my transfer fee as they wont do a C&R, it would cost me nearly $750 by time I am done.

Thanks for the help!

DWalt · #10 02-23-2015, 06:08 PM

5390xx would date it as likely from the late 1926-early 1927 period, but without a factory letter, no one can say. Stocks used by S&W at that time did not have medallions. During the entire decade of the 1920s, the standard original equipment stocks were diamond round-tops without medallions. In 1930-41, essentially the same stock design was used, but with smaller silver medallion. Exceptions included .357 Magnums and late K-frames, I think only the K-22 Second Model, which used Magnas.

I cannot say you took the wrong action in walking away.