Another .32 HE Target, With Questions CORRECTED LETTER

[red9]

A recent addition. When I bought it (online auction), I assumed the engraving was post-factory and the grips and the Patridge sight later replacements. I believe I am right about the engraving and grips. The front sight was, however, a surprise. The letter indicates this gun shipped in 1903 with a Patridge sight, narrower than I am accustomed to. Prior to this, the earliest Patridge I had seen was a .44 TL military target from 1912.
Letter deleted. Correct serial number is 7603. New letter requested.

Bob

 

[glowe]

You cannot blue over silver, plus plated would have been nickel. Check the flat under the barrel, you should see a serial number and a "B" if the gun left the factory blued. Errors do occur with hand entered records, but stamping errors hardly ever show up. No "B" would indicate a nickel gun. The stocks are not original since they would have been concave at the top round, not convex like 1920s stocks.

Let me add that the gun is an early 4 screw Model 1903 for certain. Perhaps there is a repair date on the butt-frame on the left side? It is always possible that the gun returned to the factory in the 1920s and got a new stocks. The front sight on Single Shot pistols and other top-breaks were offered with Patridge front sights from around 1900 to 1920. They would have fit the I frame revolvers as well.

 

[Timb1]

The stamping on the side plate and the screws do appear to be signs of a very good refinish. Just my two cents that are worth very little these days.

 

[Model19man]

If it has been refinished I cannot tell. The proud pins tell a different story. I have a second model 32 Hand Ejector target that is nowhere near as nice and not engraved either. Yours looks very nice. I would try to find the correct grips and leave it at that.

 

[red9]

Letter for correct serial number. Still surprised that 1903 and 1904 targets shipped with Patridge sights.

 

[RKmesa]

Very nice gun. I like it a lot!!! The well-done and tasteful engraving appears to me to have been completed after it left the factory. I have not seen any factory engraved gun with a style or pattern quite like that. Although it letters with a Patridge front sight, that front sight looks to have been altered or replaced and the pin buggered a bit when it was replaced/modified.

 

[glowe]

Letter for correct serial number. Still surprised that 1903 and 1904 targets shipped with Patridge sights.

Bob Neal chronicled the history of S&W front and rear target sights and Patridge sights date back to 1900. He stated it did not become standard on HEs until 1923, but could be ordered as far back as 1900.