The original M&P revolver was the model 1899. The short lived Model 1902 (no change) added a lug under the barrel to support the front of the ejector rod (and make it easier to tell from a Colt). This variation was made only approximately 1902-1903, and only in round butt form. The 1902 first change reinforced the rear of the barrel, adding a larger diameter collar where it met the frame. This remained through all future M&P models.
Here are two examples of 6.5" no change target models, the top one in .32-20 #6421 and the lower in .38 Special #31771.



Bob

I’ve got a close cousin to your 32-20. It’s a blued 6.5in 32-20 target sn#6436 shipped Dec.1902.
That’s a very nice pair of early targets. There’s probably less than 100 1902 32-20 targets left out there.

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Dave
Regulators mount up!

That is a beautiful brace!

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Randy
Provenance nerd

Very Nice!!! Thanks for sharing,

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Here is one in my collection. It's a 5" target. The stocks in the picture were on it when I bought it in 2005. It now wears black hard rubber, which the letter says it wore when it shipped. I picked those up a few years ago. This one shipped to Philip Bekeart in San Francisco, CA, in March, 1904.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

You have to love those long pencil-barreled Targets!! Tough to find, but worth the search.

Attached Images

IMG_20240401_104443.jpg (122.8 KB, 40 views)

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Gary
SWCA 2515