I inherited a nice 1915? S&W 38 target pistol with all original parts, 6 inch barrel, so I thought I should join this forum and learn from you all. I did my research online and from library books but have gone as far as I can. I would like to know aprox. how many target 38s were made in that era? Also, why is the manufacturer and patents (up to 09) on top of the barrel and not on right side? The front sight is different too, slightly angled back at front and curving up to flat top, no bead, in back. It has the adjustable rear sights, of course. Serial number is 241xxx. I will post pictures when I figure out how to do it. My pics are way too many KB.
The gun has been kept in a cool western holster, the kind that flips over the included 4 inch belt and barrel part tucks into a loop. The belt has two rows of loops for the 38 cal. bullets and is made by folding an 8 inch thick leather band in half lengthwise after stiching the loops. a belt and buckel is also attached. It was made in 1916 by Harry Ettinger of Dillon, Montana. My question is.... should I restore the stitching and alter the length of the cinching belt to fit my waist? The yellow? cotton thread is rotting out, the 18 bullets from God knows when left green goo and were still in the belt. It cleaned up pretty good though. Should I restore it or would that change the value/authenticity? Sorry for being so wordy....a picture is worth a thousand words here.

Welcome to the forum! Hell yes join and learn from these folks. There is a plethora of info on here from members and guests that are willing to share. Yes, photos are much appreciated,. That said, I don't know how to do it... So, you have something with family history. That is precious and irreplaceable. I recommend you DO NOT ALTER anything! Clean it up carefully and enjoy it for what it is. We need more info to identify exactly what you have. Please do NOT LEAVE it Stored in leather!!! It can and will destroy the finish on any gun! Kyle

You have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905, Third Change target revolver. It was probably shipped in 1914 or 1915. The sight you describe is typical for early target revolvers. The better bead sights and thicker patridge sights came later.

Nobody really knows how many target revolvers were produced. At the time, fixed sight guns were considered accurate enough and were obviously cheaper to manufacture, so the number of adjustable sight models is comparatively small. In general, probably no more than one to three percent of any model appeared with adjustable sights. The percentage might even be lower for the M&P series, since this was a major line that was popular from the day it was introduced with agencies that did not need adjustable sights. Target guns are uncommon and command a premium, though there is disagreement about how much that premium is or ought to be. I generally expect to pay about 20-25% more for a target M&P than a gun in comparable condition with fixed sights. For really fine guns in original boxes, the premium will go higher.

On early hand ejector revolvers, the patent rollmarks were found in different positions on different barrels. On long barrels they could fit in two lines on top of the barrel between the sight and barrel flare near the frame. On shorter barrels, there was not enough space for that rollmark and it was put on the side. When three-line rollmarks were developed, the marks could fit on top of the barrel.

If you have a Photobucket account, you can upload photos there and they will be automatically resized. Even the largest photo images can be linked into a forum post and won't look bigger than about 1080 x 800 pixels -- a little less if you crop them. I usually try to size photos to about 1000 by 500 or 600.

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David Wilson

Welcome to the forum. Let me be the first to warn you about the path you have started down. S&W revolvers are a lot like Lays potatoe chips, nobody can have just one. As you dwell here and fondle your new toy you will begin to develop a strange craving for a smaller .38 (J frameitis) and after you scratch that itch you will start wanting something bigger (N frameitis) and the condition will rapidly spiral out of control. You have been warned.
Having said all of that, in my humble opinion, there is nothing quite as satisfying as owning a weapon that has family history. When my dad passed several years ago I inherited his Target Masterpiece and while I had several S&W revolvers at the time, getting that one is what really set me off on Smithy wheelguns.
Anyway, welcome. Learn to post pictures, hang out and read a lot, there are some wonderful people here that share your love and passion for fine weaponry.
Shoot safe and remember, gun control means hitting your target.

Consider getting the S&W letter for it.

Have fun no matter what

AFS

For 6" barrels, patent date roll marks were always on the top of the
barrel. Its only for the 4" barrels, from about 1904 to about 1916, that
the roll marks appear on the right side.

The factories objective for target revolvers was always about 10%,
from manufacturing notes, but it is not known if they ever made that
goal.

Certainly, do not refinish the gun. I tend to disagree about the
holster . If the stitching has rotted, I'd get it redone. There is no
use having it fall apart, or worse, get attacked by insects, etc. Also
get the leather treated with good cleaners, and preservatives.


There are several good leather-workers who can properly restitch
the holster and belt.

Mike Priwer

welcome to the forum! we definitely like pictures! if you don't have a photobucket account, it is free, and makes posting pics a breeze.

Welcome, and what a great Smith you have. The fact that it once belonged to your grandfather, then your dad and now it is yours, great story there. Thanks for sharing, and like others, pics would be great.