Model 1903, 32 Long HE Target Model

C

Casual Smith Nut

Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2020
Messages
554
Reaction score
1,513
Location
Augusta, GA
Hello everyone,
I wanted to share a gunshow find today. I spotted a target model hand ejector that had larger holes than 22 and asked to look at it. In short, it’s an i-frame 32 long target revolver in pretty decent shape, and it came home with me. I knew that these were uncommon in the target variety.

Serial number is 105xx which I think puts it around 1903-1904 production. Based on the Smith Catalogue it’s a model 1903, 1st Change target model. It has the early hard rubber black target i-frame grips. It has the old style trigger return spring rather than the modern box slide and spring. Bluing looks original but is definitely worn around the barrel otherwise quite good. Markings are sharp. Numbers are all matching even the rear sight assembly. Grips are not numbered but that might be typical. Bore is very clean and lockup is solid, so I plan to see how it shoots with some moderate 93gr swc handloads.

I’d appreciate any insight that any of you may have on this early model. Does anyone know actual ballpark production numbers for the target models? It’s the first and only that I’ve seen, so it’ll probably stay in my stable.

Thanks All!

Obligatory Photos
 

Attachments

  • C98ADAB0-00A5-4367-ABE1-43F5D7FE298D.jpg
    C98ADAB0-00A5-4367-ABE1-43F5D7FE298D.jpg
    96.7 KB · Views: 361
  • 8A095F46-E566-48E7-817A-4C5D640387E4.jpg
    8A095F46-E566-48E7-817A-4C5D640387E4.jpg
    92.8 KB · Views: 269
  • AA1EBD5B-A448-4904-A96D-F7B2E7BAA83E.jpg
    AA1EBD5B-A448-4904-A96D-F7B2E7BAA83E.jpg
    55 KB · Views: 245
  • CA3E9B57-0536-4F47-958D-047B2049691F.jpg
    CA3E9B57-0536-4F47-958D-047B2049691F.jpg
    56.1 KB · Views: 231
  • 3F5AE9D0-F342-4375-B573-11CDF0F25B39.jpg
    3F5AE9D0-F342-4375-B573-11CDF0F25B39.jpg
    61.4 KB · Views: 235
Register to hide this ad
Wrangler Rich I think you’re right. However there is a screw underneath larger than the rear sight strap rear hole. By removing the assembly and bringing that larger screw up or down it adjusts the elevation. I doubt that’s how it is supposed to operate but then again I’ve never seen another I frame 32 target for comparison. Perhaps if someone else on the forum has a similarly aged model he can let me know the setup or take photos for comparison.

I’m also curious of value. I paid $600 and would do it again since this model is so uncommon. I defer to other more knowledgeable experts for “market value”.
Thanks
 
Heinz,
Nope I roll my own so no problem with availability. My usual load for 93gr lswc is 2.5gr of bullseye. For this old gal it’ll be closer to 2gr bullseye.
 
Casual Smith Nut said:
By removing the assembly and bringing that larger screw up or down it adjusts the elevation. I doubt that’s how it is supposed to operate but then again I’ve never seen another I frame 32 target for comparison.
Click to expand...

Casual Smith Nut,

Your Rear Sight is correct as it stands...Please don't try to improve it in any way!! That particular Sight depends on the downward pressure of the Sight Strap itself to keep it adjusted...All you do to adjust it is insert a small screwdriver down into the existing hole in the rear to raise or lower the Sight as you've already noticed!

Also...That sight is one of the very earliest attempts for Elevation Adjustments on Early Hand-Ejector Target Sights...Some time later further improvements were made to keep the adjustments from moving around!! Hope this helps!! By the way Very Nice Little Revolver you've found...You'll love how it shoots...Have fun!
 
Casual Smith Nut said:
Heinz,
Nope I roll my own so no problem with availability. My usual load for 93gr lswc is 2.5gr of bullseye. For this old gal it’ll be closer to 2gr bullseye.
Click to expand...

Considering the sweet spot for my 38 S&W Special wadcutter loads was 2.8, you are wise to drop to 2.0 and might consider less!

Kevin
 
Masterpiece said:
Casual Smith Nut,

Your Rear Sight is correct as it stands...Please don't try to improve it in any way!! That particular Sight depends on the downward pressure of the Sight Strap itself to keep it adjusted...All you do to adjust it is insert a small screwdriver down into the existing hole in the rear to raise or lower the Sight as you've already noticed!
Click to expand...
That is correct. You do not have to remove it to adjust the elevation. Just stick a jeweler's screwdriver down through the hole. Be careful if you remove that elevation screw from the frame. It is split on the bottom and slightly flared to make it tight so it stays at the elevation you set. They can be tricky to get back in without cross threading. ;)


You hit the jackpot. That is a rather rare variation.I would not be embarrassed to price that gun at $2000, and it might bring more at auction.
 
Thanks Handejector for the response. I did indeed remove the screw initially thinking it was “put underneath the sight leaf” and that I would thread it back through the top. I noticed the slotted screw was much larger in diameter than the sight leaf hole. It went back in just fine fortunately.

I’d be hard put to value it that high at 2,000 since the condition has bluing wear and some scratches from more than 100yrs usage. Maybe the photos aren’t showing the wear and scratches very well. Maybe someone can chime in for value who also has seen these guns priced by someone aware of what they are.

Any idea on production numbers for the target 32 I-frames?

Thanks again
 
Very nice.

Personally, I'd fire a few shots with the hard rubber grips in place, just to get the feel of what it was like back then. Then I would take them off, put them in the safe and substitute J frame targets for casual shooting.
 
Casual Smith Nut said:
Any idea on production numbers for the target 32 I-frames?

Thanks again
Click to expand...

I missed one on the Broker last year for $1500, little nicer than yours so probably $1k+ would be a good number.

I collect Regulation Police targets (I frame)and the number I heard for those was somewhere around 800 for the whole model run from 1917-1941.

Pre RP targets can't number over a couple hundred, if that.(Just my WAG).

Congrats! They are a lot of fun to shoot- mine seem to like LRNs rather than WCs.
 
CSN, Your .32Long Mod. 1903 HE was made Nov.25, 1903, as a blue gun with Hard Rubber target stocks. Oddly enough the early manufacturing logs do not list .32 Targets as being Target production, but do list any Model 1903s made as .22 cal Heavy Frame targets as being "32/22 Targets" I would put the gun in the $1500 range easily. Ed
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
32-20 Target
2
Replies
25
Views
1K
glowe
glowe
D
Model 1903 production date?
Replies
5
Views
292
Truckman
Truckman
H
Help: Model Confirmation
Replies
11
Views
487
jsfricks
jsfricks
R
Another .32 HE Target, With Questions CORRECTED LETTER
Replies
6
Views
621
glowe
glowe
Say When!
FOLLOW-UP: S&W HE 4th Model 44 Target Model of 1950 revolver with 4” barrel
Replies
7
Views
849
Say When!
Say When!

Latest posts

Back
Top