.38 Hand Ejector Questions

[Tinker Pearce]

I posted about this gun back on June 14 after I had just gotten it and since then a number of questions have come up. FYI gun is serial number 127XXX. It was refinished by bead-blasting (without disassembling it, apparently) and re-blueing. Since the gun's collector value has been compromised by this it was bought as a shooter, but now I am thinking about refinishing it in a way that is more in character with the gun's period and possibly making some stag grips for it. This would be a hobby project, basically to give me a project that I would have fun with and improve the esthetics of the gun for my own appreciation and enjoyment.

Mechanically the gun is very tight and everything is just as it should be. The gun is delightful to shoot and very accurate- the targets shown were shot at a one shot per second cadence. I'm restricting this gun to standard-pressure target loads to reduce wear; I don't plan on putting a huge amount of ammunition through it, but a box or so a month would be pleasant. I'm also likely to make a nice 'field holster' for it and carry it as a sidearm while hunting etc.

Before I do anything other than replace the Pachmayr grip- which is almost too big for even my large hands- I had some questions.

First of all the 6-1/2 inch barrel- how unusual is this? I also find the juxtaposition of the long barrel with the round butt frame kind of odd- was this normal? The front sight- is this a stock sight or has it been modified?

Eventually I want to get a letter for this gun, but any information you can give me prior to that point would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Hondo44]

I applaud your decision to replace the traditional smooth blued finish. Bead blasting an old world target gun is another awful juxtaposition and anachronism IMO.

I suggest a lined holster for maximum protecting of a new finish. The flesh side of single layer holsters will catch and hold dust and grit to the point that the inside of the holster works like sandpaper on the gun's finish. The smooth insides of lined holsters are much more easily cleaned and kept clean.

The 6 1/2" barrels are most common on target models. The round butt was exclusive on this model until the 1905 period and still far more common thru 1909 before which your Model 1905 - 2nd Change was produced. Eventually sq butts became associated with target models as they should be.

Front target sight blades of the period are varied and after market brands could be ordered for installation at the factory. Only a letter will reveal the originality of yours. I can't see it well enough. Most targets of the time were some form of bead with the Patridge post becoming more standard ~ 1924.

 

[Tinker Pearce]

Thanks very much for the information! I had been planning on a lined holster for this gun for the very reasons you cited. In your opinion should this liner be sealed with a finish, or simply dyed and allowed to 'Breath?' Typically I finish the outside of holsters with hand-rubbed carnauba wax and leave the interior alone.

I agree that the bead-blasted finish-- which is even on the exposed portions of the hammer and trigger- just seems all wrong for this gun.

 

[bruce5781]

Great project. Love shooting these.

Sent from my SM-S975L using Tapatalk

 

[Hondo44]

Thanks very much for the information! I had been planning on a lined holster for this gun for the very reasons you cited. In your opinion should this liner be sealed with a finish, or simply dyed and allowed to 'Breath?' Typically I finish the outside of holsters with hand-rubbed carnauba wax and leave the interior alone.

I agree that the bead-blasted finish-- which is even on the exposed portions of the hammer and trigger- just seems all wrong for this gun.

Usually the liner will already have a finish on it. I spray with silicone after each cleaning.

 

[H Richard]

In looking at the picture, do my eye's deceive me or is the rear sight a standard grooved fixed sight? I just don't see an adjustable sight, since this was mentioned as a target model. I do note the patridge front sight, which could easily be explained as a "Half Target" gun, which while not common are around. The other thing is I "hope" you have totally disassembled and cleaned the inside if this was "blasted" without being disassembled. I applaud you for wanting to re do it more in keeping with a quality S&W. Be sure to post pictures when it is done.

 

[Hondo44]

In looking at the picture, do my eye's deceive me or is the rear sight a standard grooved fixed sight? I just don't see an adjustable sight, since this was mentioned as a target model. I do note the patridge front sight, which could easily be explained as a "Half Target" gun, which while not common are around. The other thing is I "hope" you have totally disassembled and cleaned the inside if this was "blasted" without being disassembled. I applaud you for wanting to re do it more in keeping with a quality S&W. Be sure to post pictures when it is done.

Your right I misspoke; it's a semi target.

 

[Tinker Pearce]

Thanks very much for the information! Yes, I looked inside to insure that it wasn't full of blasting compound. Except for a bit of oil it was clean. I'll post pictures once the gun is refinished and wearing it's new grips. BTW, the reason that I asked about finishing the lining is that I make my own holsters.

 

[Alk8944]

Your right I misspoke; it's a semi target.

No, it isn't. If you blow the photo up you will see it is simply a standard front sight that has had a notch filed in the rear to give a vertical surface. The top of the sight has also been filed flat giving the superficial illusion that it is a target front. This explains why he is shooting so high with it.

Tinker,

The 6 1/2" barrel was the standard long length up through the 1905 2nd change, up to 1909 nominally. The available standard barrel lengths at the time were 4", 5", 6", and 6 1/2". It was standardized at 6" for the 3rd change beginning in 1909. It isn't at all rare.

 

[Hondo44]

Thanks very much for the information! Yes, I looked inside to insure that it wasn't full of blasting compound. Except for a bit of oil it was clean. I'll post pictures once the gun is refinished and wearing it's new grips. BTW, the reason that I asked about finishing the lining is that I make my own holsters.

Cool! Not everyone has that kind of skill. I've made holsters for about 50 of my 69 years. First for myself then for sale at my dad's Leather Shop. I would refine the designs of the name brands we also carried like Bianchi, etc., and people often chose mine.

I always put a finish on my leather including the lining. Raw leather just tends to get dirty too fast w/o it. So my linings were dyed with vegetable dyes, matching the exterior, and finished with a sealer. Bianchi sold an excellent sealer at that time that didn't crack or peel. Then I silicone sprayed the liner as I mentioned.

 

[Tinker Pearce]

No, it isn't. If you blow the photo up you will see it is simply a standard front sight that has had a notch filed in the rear to give a vertical surface. The top of the sight has also been filed flat giving the superficial illusion that it is a target front. This explains why he is shooting so high with it.

Tinker,

The 6 1/2" barrel was the standard long length up through the 1905 2nd change, up to 1909 nominally. The available standard barrel lengths at the time were 4", 5", 6", and 6 1/2". It was standardized at 6" for the 3rd change beginning in 1909. It isn't at all rare.

Thanks for the information! Regardless, we didn't get it for any perceived rarity but rather because I thought it would be a good shooter, and it certainly is that! Now I just have to get better at shooting it...