Pre-War Target M&P Thread - Post Your Photos

[RKmesa]

One of the most beautiful S&W ever produced was the pre-war M&P Target guns. The tapered barrel, the one- and two-screw rear sights contoured to the frame, the glassy high polish blue, and the proportions that were... JUST RIGHT.

To start it off - here is SN 642784, a 1905 4th Change that shipped in May 1933, with the one-screw rear sight. The box numbers to the gun.











I am hopeful that we will fill up several pages with photos of these beautiful guns.

[Truckman]

Richard, forgive me if my poor example does not fit the criteria you established with your opening post, but currently my only pre-war M&P Target is my carry gun for today...Now just a crippled veteran having had its barrel amputated after years of faithful service, it continues to serve in the only way it knows, honorably...Shipped 3/1/1927 with a 6" barrel and a Call gold bead front sight, it still wears its original rear sight, but now serves its intended purpose with the ramped front sight of its current 2" barrel of unknown parentage...

Seen hear with the Model 15-2 it replaced in my EDC rotation, it also wears stag grips of about the same age furnished by another member here, LLOYD17...Its birth information comes from its birth certificate sent through the courtesy of Don Mundell......Ben

EDIT: I hasten to add this was also a single gun order shipped to an individual in Waterville, Maine, with the invoice marked as being an NRA acquisition...

[22hipower]

Very nice Richard. I have just one, which is "pre" both wars. S&W 1905 3rd Change Target, 38 Special, 6 inch, probably 1914, stocks are numbered in pencil to the gun, SN 225673.

[Rodan]

My M&P Target is a 4th change, shipped in February of 1920. At some point the front sight was modified with a white bead blade. These are indeed very elegant revolvers.

[andyinlz]

Here is a fairly early one:

[dwh]

In my humble collection of target 32-20’s. There are the following. All are single screw sights.
1902 6.5in Paine front sights.
1902 1st change 6in(factory rebarrel) marbles copper sheard.
1905 1st change 6.5in plain blade.
1905 2nd change 6.5in plain blade.
1905 3rd change 6.5in Lyman bar dot bar _._
1905 3rd change 6.5 in Lyman ivory bead.
1905 3rd change 6in Kings gold super police.
1905 4th change 6in plain blade.

[RKmesa]

Great guns so far!!! And please feel free to post ANY M&P Target that shipped pre WWII (which would include all those beauties shipped pre WW I). Note: those RB 1902 Targets are way cool (I would love to own one of them).

My earliest two are 154998 and 158135 - both shipped in 1910 with 6.5" barrels.

154998 (Aug 1910) has a checkered trigger and a frame mounted trigger stop. At some point the barrel was swapped, as the barrel is SN 165183. This gun was a shooter for someone.







159135 (October 1910) is more "traditional" for the period.





Let's keep 'em coming

[stu1ritter]

I owned this one for a few years. 31788x was about 1,000 numbers into the heat treated cylinder. It was quite a nice shooter.

Stu

[hkcavalier]

Not a beauty queen, but got it for very little $. 3rd Change with a 6.5" barrel that shipped March 1911.

[22hipower]

Originally Posted by dwh

I’m my humble collection of target 32-20’s. There are the following. All are single screw sights.
1902 6.5in Paine front sights.
1902 1st change 6in(factory rebarrel) marbles copper sheard.
1905 1st change 6.5in plain blade.
1905 2nd change 6.5in plain blade.
1905 3rd change 6.5in Lyman bar dot bar _._
1905 3rd change 6.5 in Lyman ivory bead.
1905 3rd change 6in Kings gold super police.
1905 4th change 6in plain blade.

That collection certainly deserves some adjectives, humble isn't one of them. Don't think I've ever seen a 32-20 target for sale in the wild much less eight of them. Very, very nice!

Jeff
SWCA #1457

[boykinlp]

Originally Posted by RKmesa

One of the most beautiful S&W ever produced was the pre-war M&P Target guns. The tapered barrel, the one- and two-screw rear sights contoured to the frame, the glassy high polish blue, and the proportions that were... JUST RIGHT.

To start it off - here is SN 642784, a 1904 4th Change that shipped in May 1933, with the one-screw rear sight. The box numbers to the gun.











I am hopeful that we will fill up several pages with photos of these beautiful guns.

GREAT SCOT, Richard, that revolver just oozes class! The bluing actually looks liquid. Colt Royal Blue has absolutely nothing on the bluing on your gem. The tapered barrel and high front sight are great looking. I bet that sight would play havoc on a holster though. I also really like the box style. I may be wrong, but isn’t that the same style box the very earliest K22 Outdoorsman came in? Thanks for sharing that beauty!

BTW, all you other folks that have shown your examples of your pre-war M&P Target guns have some amazing examples too.

hkcavalier, what is that style front sight called? It is as today’s kids say, “Dope”! I like it a lot.
Larry

[Keith Brown]

Prewar M&P Targets are without doubt my favorite S&W revolvers, they speak to me ! Here are my first two, the one in back is the first, bought right here in the classifieds years ago from member J38. It’s a dandy and I’ve shot over 2000 wadcutters through it alone.

[boykinlp]

Originally Posted by Keith Brown

Prewar M&P Targets are without doubt my favorite S&W revolvers, they speak ! Here are my first two, the one in back is the first, bought right here in the classifieds years ago from member J38. It’s a dandy and I’ve shot over 2000 wadcutters through it alone.

Great examples, Keith! Grips are too shabby either!
Larry

[raljr1]

I got this one just a short while ago for $500. Some bluing loss on the sideplate.

38 M_P Target.jpg (2).jpg

[22hipower]

Originally Posted by raljr1

I got this one just a short while ago for $500. Some bluing loss on the sideplate.

Attachment 679094

Now there was $500 well spent!

Jeff
SWCA #1457

[Modified]

Originally Posted by RKmesa

... ANY M&P Target that shipped pre WWII (which would include all those beauties shipped pre WW I)...

Any?

[bruce5781]

These were the first two I ever found.
The top, a 4", was special ordered with an ivory bead by a son of "Devil Anse" Hatfield who was later killed in a shoot-out over bootlegging territory.
Bottom, a 5", was purchased here on the forum.


Sent from my SM-G781U1 using Tapatalk

[bruce5781]

A 5" 1899 I picked up a couple years ago.

Sent from my SM-G781U1 using Tapatalk

[mikepriwer]

I'll start with my early 1899 targets, which I have in both blue and nickel.
The first pair is the 4" barrels.





The next pair is the 5" barrels.





The next pair is the 6" barrels.





The next pair is the 6 1/2" barrels.





The last pair is the 8" barrels.





This next section is the 4-screw 1902 (round butt) and 1905 (square butt) targets. The two guns in each set are identical, except for the butt configuration. These are very rare pairs of targets. They show wear, but are none-the-less very rare.

The first set are a pair of 5" targets. (I was fortunate to be able to buy the round butt from Stu Ritter recently, and the square butt many years ago from Ed Cornett)





This next set are 6 1/2" targets, and belong to Chris Taylor. He sent me these two pictures in conjunction with some other project. These two guns, as the 5" pair above, are a very rare pair of target revolvers





(It's worth noting that the early 4-screw 1905's only exist, along with the 1902's, from serial number 58000 to serial number 62449. This group of 4449 revolvers encompasses all round and square butt frames in fixed and adjustable sights, all the barrel lengths, in both blue and nickel finish. The survival rate for these early revolvers is conservatively estimated at 50%.)

Moving along the time-line, this next pair are 32-20 4" targets from 1908 and 1910.





Regards, Mike Priwer

[RKmesa]

Originally Posted by Truckman

Richard, forgive me if my poor example does not fit the criteria you established with your opening post, but currently my only pre-war M&P Target is my carry gun for today...Now just a crippled veteran having had its barrel amputated after years of faithful service, it continues to serve in the only way it knows, honorably...

I love that little snubbie target!!! I too have one that has been cut. It had 2" cut off and the front sight re-attached. It is a great gun!

SN 594552 (shipped September 1928 - and modified some time after it shipped):

Originally Posted by boykinlp

I...really like the box style. I may be wrong, but isn’t that the same style box the very earliest K22 Outdoorsman came in?

Larry: The box style is often called the "patent box" as it has the patent information on it. It is a very cool hinged box and yes some of the earlier K-22 Outdoorsman Revolvers also shipped in patent boxes, like this one in the box that numbers to the gun (note the "22-38 H.E." stamp in the upper left of the box):

[RM Vivas]

Technically not pre-war but still in the pre-war style.

Model of 1946 Mexican Target Model that was a one gun shipment to Frank Jonas at Jonas Arms & Aircraft.

Sold the gun, wish I still had it. One of the jewels I stumbled across.

Best,
RM Vivas

[dwh]

Originally Posted by 22hipower

That collection certainly deserves some adjectives, humble isn't one of them. Don't think I've ever seen a 32-20 target for sale in the wild much less eight of them. Very, very nice!

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Actually every revolver in the picture is a 32-20 including the 1899. The goal is to acquire one of each of the engineering changes and the work on the different barrel lengths. Unfortunately I’m still on the hunt for an 1899 and a 1905.

[bruce5781]

One of only 2 32-20 targets I have.

Sent from my SM-G781U1 using Tapatalk

[RKmesa]

Originally Posted by mikepriwer

I'll start with my early 1899 targets...

Mike:

So glad you posted all those rare guns!!! What an amazing collection.

Thank you,

[glowe]

A couple of scarce revolvers fell into my lap last year. I first picked up a very nice 4 screw square butt revolver, serial number 61192 that shipped from the factory in December 1905. I had been looking for an example of an early 4 screw square butt target gun for a long time and finally ran across this one. Call it a Model 1902 or Model 1905, but I call it a tough gun to find. The serial number range ran only from 58000 to 62450, or 4450 of both round butt and square butt guns. Tracking those found in this range, I determined that about half were square butt guns. Estimating that less than 5% were targets. in these early years of K frame production, that ends up being only 178 guns. How many survived is more of a guess, but it is hard to believe that more than 100 are around today. That borders on rare in my book, seldom seen.

Now for the rest of the story. About a month later, I ran across another 4 screw square butt!! Was fortunate to be able to purchase it. Best part is that it was serial number 61196, just 4 numbers away from my first purchase. The odd fact was that it shipped in February 1905, about 10 months earlier than its cousin. A year later, and I have not found another one out there for sale, but am thrilled to have this pair. I totally agree with Richard that they are some of the most beautiful S&Ws ever produced.





I like the long barreled K frames, so was very happy to find an 8" Pope barreled 38 Target. Just a great look! The gun is serial number 106688 and shipped in April 1908. It was shipped to Bourne & Bond, Louisville, Kentucky. Oddly enough, Roy; factory letter stated the gun was part of a 2 gun shipment and were both were special orders with no barrel length stated. I have shot it and it performs very well.

[bruce5781]

5" nickle 32-20 has seen better days, but I still enjoy it.

Sent from my SM-G781U1 using Tapatalk

[Truckman]

Originally Posted by glowe

A couple of scarce revolvers fell into my lap last year.

That's one of my major failings - I'm always sitting under the wrong tree when these things happen......Ben

[rct269]

NOW he calls for these things---and mine are all GONE!!

I had at least one of all the N frames, 14 M&P's from the 1902's through the 1905's, and 2 I frames---and only posted pictures of one of them---a good while back. That was a very spiffy King Super Target Triple Lock. Richard pretty much forced me into doing that one, and I thank him kindly!

It was fun while it lasted!

Ralph Tremaine

[S&W ucla]

Here is one of my favorites. 5" Target with factory ivory bead front sight. Shoots great, nice holster to go with it

[DCWilson]

Oops! Mistakenly posted an N-frame. Deleted.

[mikepriwer]

Here are some more early K-frame target revolvers.

The first revolver is serial 085. It's the engraved 1905 presented to Charlie Call on his 25th anniversary with the factory. The cylinder has what is left of its original gold washing.





The next picture is the 2-line caliber roll marking on the left side of the barrel.



The next picture is the engraving on the right side of the barrel.



The last picture is the date of the presentation, which is the date of his 25th anniversary at the factory.



Regards, Mike Priwer

[rct269]

Now THAT is an item!!

Ralph Tremaine

[DARE]

Model of 1905 3rd Change. Shipped May 1913 to Hamburg, Germany. Has German proof marks. Lyman Ivory Bead front sight.

[Truckman]

For some reason I forgot I have this one...My usual clumsy cellphone pic...

The letter states it shipped 3/26/1924 with non-monogrammed walnut stocks...All the metal numbers match, but although the fit is excellent the service stocks are not numbered......Ben

[PALADIN85020]

This beauty was shipped in my birth year on June 7. Note the verified original hump-back hammer!


(Click for enlarged view)

John

[ACORN]

I think this meets the criteria though I don’t know the ship date.
Stocks are incorrect but has a humpback hammer.

[mikepriwer]

Do you know what was done to it when it went back to the factory?

Mike Priwer

[RKmesa]

Here is the most recent addition to my 1905 4th Target herd. It is SN 657323 and shipped from the factory in September 1936. A couple of unique attributes are the nice set of pre-war magnas (no numbers) and the gold tip added to the front sight. The box numbers to the gun and the owner added some personal instructions for adjusting the two-screw rear sight.















Thanks for letting me share!

[ACORN]

Originally Posted by mikepriwer

Do you know what was done to it when it went back to the factory?

Mike Priwer

If you’re asking me, I have no idea, but I would not be surprised if it was re-blued.

[RKmesa]

Originally Posted by ACORN

I think this meets the criteria though I don’t know the ship date. Stocks are incorrect but has a humpback hammer.

Originally Posted by mikepriwer

Do you know what was done to it when it went back to the factory?

Originally Posted by ACORN

If you’re asking me, I have no idea, but I would not be surprised if it was re-blued.

Acorn:

Your gun is a beauty. I love the HBH!!! With the star on the butt, is there a date stamped under the grips? I have an RM that has a star stamped, but no date and the star is stamped through the blue, so I don't think it was re-blued. Perhaps it needed a fine tuning before it left the factory. As to when it shipped from the factory, that is one of the higher SNs that I have seen for a pre-war K-Frame target revolver. So I would expect that it shipped sometime in 1940.

[ACORN]

Originally Posted by RKmesa

Acorn:

Your gun is a beauty. I love the HBH!!! With the star on the butt, is there a date stamped under the grips? I have an RM that has a star stamped, but no date and the star is stamped through the blue, so I don't think it was re-blued. Perhaps it needed a fine tuning before it left the factory. As to when it shipped from the factory, that is one of the higher SNs that I have seen for a pre-war K-Frame target revolver. So I would expect that it shipped sometime in 1940.

The pics look better than it is. There is a big spot on the cylinder where the blue is frosty. When I got it, it was stored wrapped in a rag in a zippered case.
IIRC the date on the grip frame is 248 but I am probably wrong.
Someone here said that the humpback would have been a special order and I should letter it. With my luck if I was Dolly Parton’s baby, I’d have been bottle fed, so I’m not going to.
The next owner can.
Here’s a pic of the blotch.
The pic makes it look worse than it is.

[Tom K]

Here are my prewar K frame targets, although I don't know if the .22 Outdoorsman counts as an M&P. From top to bottom:

.38 S&W Special, serial 317879
.32-20, serial 128847
.22 LR, serial 674189









I've lettered only the .22. It shipped on May 2, 1939 to Kelly-How-Thompson Co. of Duluth, MN. It has a lanyard ring that was ordered by the distributor on Oct 8, 1940 and was probably installed by them. It's also been refinished, probably not by the factory either.

Now that I look at the pictures (which were taken in 2016), I realize that I no longer have the .38. It had one of those miserable little U-notch rear sights and thin front blade, so I bought a different M&P Target (serial 666024) with a proper square notch and Patridge front sight, like the .32-20 has. Plus it was in nicer condition.

[RKmesa]

Originally Posted by ACORN

...With my luck if I was Dolly Parton’s baby, I’d have been bottle fed...

Now, that makes me laugh out loud...

[boykinlp]

Originally Posted by RKmesa

Here is the most recent addition to my 1905 4th Target herd. It is SN 657323 and shipped from the factory in September 1936. A couple of unique attributes are the nice set of pre-war magnas (no numbers) and the gold tip added to the front sight. The box numbers to the gun and the owner added some personal instructions for adjusting the two-screw rear sight.















Thanks for letting me share!

Another beautiful example Richard, and while some folks may not like the additions to the front sight and the previous owner supplied writing on the inside of the box top, I love both! The front sight looks very cool and the previous owner was probably like me, forgetful, and didn’t want to do something wrong. Thanks for sharing that gem too.
Larry

[RKmesa]

Here's another one - 631764 (shipped in Dec 1930) - not bad for a 93.5 year old. It has a Call gold bead front sight and the box (a little worse for the years of wear) numbers to the gun.

[mikepriwer]

Here is another interesting factory-engraved target K-frame revolver. Serial number is 393815.





This gun went to Doug Wesson, and is factory-engraved, with the name Ira McKay engraved on the left side of the frame. The gun was presented to McKay, who was Doug Wesson's hunting guide in Maine. The factory letter, shown next, contains this information.



The name Ira McKay shows up clearer in the auction catalog page, which is shown next.




Regards, Mike Priwer

[dwh]

I love seeing all of these wonderful early target revolvers. I do have a question about the box labels. Was the target gun always labeled as target gun or merely labeled as an M&P with barrel length and finish?

[mikepriwer]

My experience is that, one way or another, the box had some notion of the word 'Target'. Sometimes the label was printed with the word 'Target'. Other times a sticker containing the word 'Target' was stuck on the end label. Sometimes the word, or a sticker, was placed on the bottom of the box. Sometimes a hand-stamp of the word 'Target' was stamped on the bottom of the box.

If the label was preprinted with the barrel length, and if the gun was different from the preprinted length, the preprinted length was crossed out, and the correct length was hand-written on the label.

Regards, Mike Priwer

[Muley Gil]

Originally Posted by Tom K

Here are my prewar K frame targets, although I don't know if the .22 Outdoorsman counts as an M&P. From top to bottom:

.38 S&W Special, serial 317879
.32-20, serial 128847
.22 LR, serial 674189









I've lettered only the .22. It shipped on May 2, 1939 to Kelly-How-Thompson Co. of Duluth, MN. It has a lanyard ring that was ordered by the distributor on Oct 8, 1940 and was probably installed by them. It's also been refinished, probably not by the factory either.

Now that I look at the pictures (which were taken in 2016), I realize that I no longer have the .38. It had one of those miserable little U-notch rear sights and thin front blade, so I bought a different M&P Target (serial 666024) with a proper square notch and Patridge front sight, like the .32-20 has. Plus it was in nicer condition.

Is the lanyard loop installed through the serial number? If so, is the serial number stamped on the grip frame, under the left stock? Can you post a picture of the butt?

[RKmesa]

Originally Posted by mikepriwer

My experience is that, one way or another, the box had some notion of the word 'Target'. Sometimes the label was printed with the word 'Target'. Other times a sticker containing the word 'Target' was stuck on the end label. Sometimes the word, or a sticker, was placed on the bottom of the box. Sometimes a hand-stamp of the word 'Target' was stamped on the bottom of the box.

Here is a photo of some of my target boxes, illustrating Mike's point:



Note in the above photo, the top box has no "Target" designation on the label, but the below photo is the bottom of that same box - see that "Target" was written in pencil under the SN...