A Darn Good Letter, M & P Target 1939

[Gun Relics]

Interesting to see you post that in light of this recent post.
https://smith-wessonforum.com/142145444-post22.html



As with all historical objects, sometimes the artifact reveals things that even primary source documentation indicates different. While not apples to apples, a portion of the carbine collector community now prefers 'uncorrected' examples. (It's not apples to apples because every manufacturer subcontracted parts and not every transfer has been documented). I think you should do what you think is right based on the evidence and your own persepective.

The shipping invoice clearly shows Hump Back hammer with this serial number, so regardless of what transpired, if I can find a correct one , that would be a step in restoring to original. The collectors here have convinced me that this is an important feature to this pistol, so I've decided the best thing to do is find the correct hammer for it.

 

[DARE]

O P, Congrats on the gun and the letter. Interesting thread. The letter mentions the hump back hammer but does not say anything about the grips. Does the invoice say what grips were shipped?
I would like to see the other pages you got from Mike. Think it would be educational for the group.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[Gun Relics]

O P, Congrats on the gun and the letter. Interesting thread. The letter mentions the hump back hammer but does not say anything about the grips. Does the invoice say what grips were shipped?
I would like to see the other pages you got from Mike. Think it would be educational for the group.
Thanks for sharing.

Unfortunately, there was no mention of the grips. It would be quite a task to post all of the correspondence here. I would have to scan it all and post. The software here is rotating my I phone photos. To get them in the correct position, I have to crop them. I can scan them but I'm pressed for time at the moment.

 

[DARE]

The 1939 catalog pages that glowe posted say plus $1 for Magna stocks. If no upcharge on the invoice seems that would indicate service stocks.

 

[bruce5781]

That's a valid point. Well it couldn't hurt to add one to my list, though I'm not sure where one will come up. If anybody knows of a HBH hammer for sale for a K frame, I would be interested.

I have one or two lying around, if I can find them.

Regards,
Bruce

 

[glowe]

I am curious how you requested the letter of authenticity? I see Mike Helms signed it and that is unusual, since Don Mundell took over most letter requests from Roy last year. Mike's Historical Foundation is usually paid to search the documents and Don is paid to write the letter. You might have a rare letter!

 

[DARE]

Have seen a few Mike Helms letters. But then I'm a bit anal and look at almost everything.
Says Michael Helms
S&W Historical Foundation
Historian and Secretary/Treasurer

Think Don and Michael are doing letters.

 

[Gun Relics]

I have one or two lying around, if I can find them.

Regards,
Bruce

Bruce, I would be forever in your debt and will even start a new thread praising you!

 

[Gun Relics]

I am curious how you requested the letter of authenticity? I see Mike Helms signed it and that is unusual, since Don Mundell took over most letter requests from Roy last year. Mike's Historical Foundation is usually paid to search the documents and Don is paid to write the letter. You might have a rare letter!

I went through the usual prodedure. i was under the impression that Mike was helping Don out because they were really swamped with requests. The other letters I have from Mike are more usual, although he did automatically send them with the supporting back-up documentation.

I just think he was able to find this file because it was a fairly unusual situation - a prize with back-up coorespondence. Mike has been very responsive and helpful to me in the past, usually responding in hours not days.

 

[bruce5781]

Bruce, I would be forever in your debt and will even start a new thread praising you!

Chris,
I'm sorry to have gotten your hopes up, but the ones I have are for a rim fire.

Regards,
Bruce

 

[Gun Relics]

Chris,
I'm sorry to have gotten your hopes up, but the ones I have are for a rim fire.

Regards,
Bruce

I really appreciate you checking. It's going to be a process if I'm going to find one. I've checked with a few parts suppliers and online parts, so far I'm striking out. I am also having some difficulty clearly seeing the difference. Besides the general shape, one distinguishing feature seems to be the fluted edge forward of the thumb piece, if I'm correct.

 

[DARE]

If you ask for a "hump back" hammer, hopefully most people that have one will know what it is. It may be hard to find. The search is part of the fun, right?

Hump back hammer

Not a hump back hammer

 

[daddio202]

I am interested in hearing opinions as to wether a HBH would simply install into the OP's gun if one was found?? My thinking is that it would require some fitting to work flawless. Could someone other than an experienced gunsmith be able to fit it?