1905 Target value

[ACORN]

I recently bought what I've been told is a 1905 4th change Target Model in 38 spl.. The pistol has a 6" barrel, adjustable sights. It has been reblued some time ago, presumably by S&W since there is a star following the serial no. of 696***. The grips are not original to the gun. I got it cheap, and was wondering if it is worth lettering it? I know that any collectors value is gone with the re-blue, but can you give me any idea of the value for my own knowledge. I don't intend to sell it. Sorry I can't post a pic, my image server says it's an invalid image type.
Thanks

 

[ACORN]

I recently bought what I've been told is a 1905 4th change Target Model in 38 spl.. The pistol has a 6" barrel, adjustable sights. It has been reblued some time ago, presumably by S&W since there is a star following the serial no. of 696***. The grips are not original to the gun. I got it cheap, and was wondering if it is worth lettering it? I know that any collectors value is gone with the re-blue, but can you give me any idea of the value for my own knowledge. I don't intend to sell it. Sorry I can't post a pic, my image server says it's an invalid image type.
Thanks

 

[mikepriwer]

Suppose you found out, via a letter, that it was shipped to Ed McGivern ? Would that make
it worth lettering ?

All of us post pictures - don't understand why you should be any different. Go to
www.photobucket.com, register, upload the picture(s), get the image address ( it will start
with , and put that in your posting.

As to value - what did you pay for it ?

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[ACORN]

Sorry I had to rescue my wife and daughter and have my truck towed.
Here are 2 crappy pics I've already uploaded.
http://img03.picoodle.com/img/img03/5/11/22/acorn/f_1005985m_47f8449.jpg
and
http://img36.picoodle.com/img/img36/5/11/22/acorn/f_1005981m_8ff629a.jpg
I can't get the pics I took to upload.
FWIW I paid $150

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

It may or may not have been reblued at the factory. The star mark only tells you that it was returned to the factory for some kind of work, not necessarily a refinish. I would still get it lettered despite that. For the modest amount you have paid for it, another $30 could hardly be described as a waste of money. Amongst "purist" collectors, a refinish sounds the death knell for any value above 0 original finish. However, many other collectors feel the rework mark and other provenance you might be able to provide, reflecting it was performed at the factory redeems that alteration from original. I believe you could easily recover your investment of $180 anytime, regardless of what you may or may not discover. As for those records (i.e. the "factory refinish") I believe you would need to know the name of the person who sent it to determine via Roy Jinks, that it was factory refinished. It looks like an excellent shooter, have fun with it. Good luck!

 

[PZ93C]

I guess it could have had the target sights and/or hammer installed by S&W during the rework.

Letter it and see how it shipped.

FWIW, I'd have given 150.00 for it all day long and gone home whistling. Good snag.

 

[mikepriwer]

This should be the pictures. I copied your links, prefixed each one with

at the end of each one.

and

I don't think this serial number is in the range of the currently-known hump-back hammer
series, although it could have been special ordered. As noted, the grips are not period to
the serial number, but if the gun was late-shipped, they might be original.

I would get a letter, if for no other reason than the hammer.

As to value, the star on the butt takes something, to a lot, away from its collector value.
If it lettered with that hammer, its probably a $500 gun, and the star would be of less
significance. If the hammer is not original, then its maybe a $300 gun.

I know - I know, everyone is going to jump all over me, saying they would give $300 in a flash.
If they do, thats confirmation of what it worth. Tell me how many offers you get for $500 !!

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[ACORN]

OK, I think I've got this now. Here is the one side.

And the other.
Turns out that my pics were just slow to upload.

I guess a request to Mr. Jinks is in order.