3rd SA Target

[Books]

This pistol fits the description of one used by H. S. Gilbert to set the Louisville Revolver club rapid fire record in 1898. (Using Peters Semi-Smokeless ammo.)

However this pistol was shipped to H. S. Gilbert in Cincinnati in November of 1899.

Any information on:

The Louisville Revolver Club,
or
H.S. [Henry] Gilbert,

would be greatly appreciated.

Books

 

[rct269]

No answers, just questions:

Does your revolver have its (frame) serial number on the butt or the front strap?

Are the grips numbered to the frame?

Does your revolver letter as shipped in target configuration?

Is the latch numbered to the frame?

Is the rear sight the typical S&W item, or the Lyman Ivory Slide?

Many thanks!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[6string]

Have you consulted A.C. Gould's book "Modern American Pistols & Revolvers" pub. 1894?
There is a ton of information, including much on the clubs and personalities from the time.

Jim

 

[Books]

No answers, just questions:

Does your revolver have its (frame) serial number on the butt or the front strap?

Are the grips numbered to the frame?

Does your revolver letter as shipped in target configuration?

Is the latch numbered to the frame?

Is the rear sight the typical S&W item, or the Lyman Ivory Slide?

Many thanks!

Ralph Tremaine

The serial number is on the butt in the std. location. It matches the cylinder and barrel. There are not numbers on the latch/sight or grips/stocks; however they are verified by the factory letter. Per the letter it left the factory in target configuration.

Books

 

[Books]

Have you consulted A.C. Gould's book "Modern American Pistols & Revolvers" pub. 1894?
There is a ton of information, including much on the clubs and personalities from the time.

Jim

I am tracking down a copy of Gould's, Modern American Pistols & revolvers. Thanks for the tip.

Books

 

[rct269]

The serial number is on the butt in the std. location. It matches the cylinder and barrel. There are not numbers on the latch/sight or grips/stocks; however they are verified by the factory letter. Per the letter it left the factory in target configuration.

Books

Interesting------same as mine which proves nothing, but interesting.

Mine, also a target, also had an unnumbered latch. This was 20 years ago when I was younger and dumber, and that was terrifying---especially since the price was to be bigger than a bread box. I had never even seen a target version, and wasn't real keen on waiting to see another one----which I never have. I gave the man his money, and sweated out waiting for the letter. It too shipped as target.

Jinks opines this came to pass thus: An order was received for a target----of which they had none (perhaps by design??). That situation was resolved by taking a standard gun to the Service Department, and instructing them to make a target. That they did by the simple expedient of swapping the sights and grips. There was no need to number the new parts, so they didn't. Case closed.

I hope you're able to learn more about your shooter---------mine shipped to a New York City distributor.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[deadin]

I have what I originally thought (and hoped) was a 3rd Model Target. The sights matched the frame, but not the barrel and cylinder. Unfortunately the sights and frame shipped as a 1st Model Single Shot......



I now have a 1st Model SS with a mismatched barrel and the other barrel and cylinder are in the junk box......

 

[rct269]

Just keep telling yourself we do this stuff because we enjoy it--------------but just tell yourself---don't say it out loud.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Books]

Ralph;

When did your target model leave the factory? Based on my internet search; Mr. Gilbert was already competing with a S & W model 1891 target model when he received the one that I have. Maybe that one is yours

Books
aka
Mike Tatham

 

[rct269]

Not a chance! Mine shipped June 7, 1910.

Ralph Tremaine