Another .44spl

[Old TexMex]

A .44 HE 2nd Model Target has come to Texas to stay a while.

I'm sure happy to host it, too

 

[awp101]

Very nice!

 

[ladder13]

.44 and purty, what's not to like?

 

[Biginge]

I like it .

 

[Old TexMex]

Found this old lump of firewood, might do for a set of stocks.

 

[quinn]

Do you have a letter? I'm still waiting for the letter on my 2nd model 44. Looks great... like the badge, too. About the wood. I've been looking for a nice piece of mesquite to have made into grips. That burl is awesome.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Original Target?

 

[STCM(SW)]

Looks better then mine.


Letters to 1921.
Shot it yesterday, a challenge with them sights.....

 

[Old TexMex]

Original Target?

The letter has been requested, it certainly appears to be the real McCoy. Numbers all match and front sight base is proper, although the pinned blade may have been replaced. It is a Marbles 35C.
I'd like to see some more 2nd Targets, for sure.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

The letter has been requested, it certainly appears to be the real McCoy. Numbers all match and front sight base is proper, although the pinned blade may have been replaced. It is a Marbles 35C.
I'd like to see some more 2nd Targets, for sure.

As requested:

 

[Old TexMex]

As requested:

Yours has the rear sight w/ third screw behind the blade, mine doesn't. #17978

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Mine is a later 2nd model Target with the serrated grip tangs and the 1/2" Medallions in the Stocks.The serial number is 40252.As far as the Rear sight goes it is the only one ever seen on a N Frame,There is one I frame and one K frame with a similar sight setup but thats it.Roy had never seen one either....

 

[nawilson]

Found this old lump of firewood, might do for a set of stocks.

I think I can see a nice set of stocks hiding in there...

 

[rayb]

Found this old lump of firewood, might do for a set of stocks.

If mesquite, be sure and kill the bugs....
I lost a project before catching on to their habits.

Nice wood regardless. Beautiful revolver too.

rayb

 

[Old TexMex]

Mine is a later 2nd model Target with the serrated grip tangs and the 1/2" Medallions in the Stocks.The serial number is 40252.As far as the Rear sight goes it is the only one ever seen on a N Frame,There is one I frame and one K frame with a similar sight setup but thats it.Roy had never seen one either....

This one has a 1 stamped in the yoke area of frame (area where RM numbers appear), and has the "penguin" stamp below as well.
I have not removed the rear sight.
I'm curious to know the earliest .44 2nd factory target we know of...(lowest number) meanwhile, I wait for the letter.

 

[Tom K]

As requested:

Showoff (and justifiably so)! Of course this is the place for it.

Here's mine, which I have previously posted about in these threads:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...-couple-2nd-model-he-44s-target-standard.html
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...-range-session-octet-pre-war-target-s-ws.html
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/381234-range-45-colts-44-specials.html

 

[ironhead7544]

Great pics. Thanks to you and the other posters.

Question on the rear sight. Does it look like the 1917 frame was machined for the sight or was the frame made differently? Thanks.

 

[Old TexMex]

Ironhead: I just had the sight off, and I couldn't answer that, since I don't have any frame of reference. No serial# on the sight, but it shows no sign of refinish.

Edit: looks like it was a frame that was too young to be drafted before the war ended, and became a professional sportsman, so to speak.
Someone may know if the frames were kept in the white, then machined for Target sights. The bbl sight boss is target.

Quote from SCSW: "some will be observed built on military inspected frames, probably originally for the 1917 model, with eagle head mark on the crane cutout and with factory lanyard ring."
That's what I have.

 

[ironhead7544]

Old TexMex: Thanks for the info. After my last post I looked at the posts from Tom K. He has a closeup of the top front of a standard and target model. It appears that the frames are machined differently as the front are of a different shape.

The reason I was asking is that I recently picked up a 6 and 1/2 inch Second Model that I will be posting about as soon as I can get some pics. The finish is overall light pitting with some heavy pitting on the left side of the barrel. 22xxx Serial number. Looks like it was in a drawer for many years as the left side grip has some flattened diamonds. It has all matching numbers including the grips. The bore and chambers are mint, almost looks unfired. No end shake but a little side play in the cylinder. I shot a few cylinders through it just plinking and it works well. I was thinking of changing it into a sort-of target model by adding a J-frame adjustable rear sight and a similar front sight as on the real target version. Just thinking, really. It is a nice shootable piece as is. Years ago, when the 1917s were "just and old gun" Many were customized as I am sure you know. This one may have been refinished but it does not seem to be.

Should be able to get pics up later today.

 

[Old TexMex]

Well, does the bbl match the frame, and is the front sight boss a target?
I see there were some from factory "half targets" shipped....
So for me, only a letter will say for certain. This is almost as fun as shooting, huh!

 

[ironhead7544]

All parts are matching. The front sight base can be machined for a blade. It would be similar to a real Target but would look a bit different. I have built a number of custom guns over the years and these mods would be fairly simple.

 

[Old TexMex]

Well, you could add a lanyard ring and really make it look like one built on a frame intended for military, but barreled for target and fitted with target sights prior to serialisation and blueing! That'll confuze 'em!