1917 Commercial Target

[StrawHat]

WOW, nice catch on both guns. I see 1917's made into target guns on an auction and love the looks of them. Really nice of Tom to post the pictures for you. Good luck with the letter, Larry

I wonder what Andy would charge…

Kevin

 

[Skip54]

Good evening everyone! I went to a LGS today, well sort of, it's about 100 miles away, but in Montana that still counts as local. Anyway, while there I found two new revolvers that followed me home. The first is a 32-20 target 1905 3rd model. I have been looking for one for a while, so was pleased to snag it. The second is very interesting...a commercial 1917 target!!! I have only read about them in the Supica/Navas 4th edition. Page 193 speaks to the very rare nature of these, so much so that the authors desire more information if available. Anyway, I took a chance as felt the price was very good. Once home I took it apart to clean it and I removed the rear sight, which underneath was serial numbered to the gun. Definitely a factory target in my mind but only a letter will tell for sure. I certainly wish the letter moratorium wasn't in place because I'd love a letter on this piece. These came out of a collection of a long-time Montana S&W collector who sadly passed earlier this year. I will try to post pictures soon...I'm old school and definitely tech challenged. Anyone else out there have one of these? I'd love to know more. I'm tickled I found it...maybe a unicorn .

Saw the photos below. Awesome!
Wish we had a LGS like that around here… Congrats!

 

[Jebus35745]

Kevin, give Andy a call. I will see him probably next Tuesday to drop off one gun for sure, possibly 2. Larry

 

[dpast32]

You have apparently obtained 2 AWESOME Collector Grade Pre-WW2 S&W Revolvers, which I'm fully certain anyone of us would just glove to have in our Collections !! I shudder to think what you have into them, but, the fact remains that you will probably never have a chance to come across such a find anytime soon, if at all !!
Sooner or later, hopefully S&w will open up for Factory Letter requests again, & then you'll really be able to compliment your purchases. Congratulations !!

Best, dpast32

 

[HeloMt]

I got the historical letter and am so pleased. It is a commercial target and even better was ordered by and delivered to a Sheriff here in Montana! The request for additional documentation from SWHF is hopefully forthcoming. Having a rare revolver with law enforcement provenance makes it doubly sweet!

 

[Baxter6551]

Fantastic gun and a great letter. My commercial 1917 was shipped in 1927 to Abercrombie and Fitch in NYC. Amazing the gun stayed in Montana!

 

[HeloMt]

I had to re-attach the letter.