Can you identify this revolver?

[handejector]

I've owned 2 or 3 over my collecting career. They were made in two versions. A target front sight blade, such as Lymans, with a traditional M&P rear sight, seems to be the more common of the two variants. The other version is a forged half-moon front sight, with an adjustable rear sight assembly.

I have never seen that. Do you still have pics of one?

 

[glowe]

. . . To my eye it looks like this started life as a fixed sight gun, but had an adjustable rear sight added later. The front sight looks like a standard fixed sight half moon. . .

The front sight is a standard Target base with a pinned Target sight. Lyman made these round blades in the teens with a top flat and copper insert. They were available from the factory. Not sure it is a Lyman, but inspection of the blade should show the maker's name.

Here is a 1910 32 Winchester Military Target with a Lyman front sight, which was lower than the 38 front sights.

 

[handejector]

The front sight is a standard Target base with a pinned Target sight.

Look again. You must be on a small screen. It is a standard forged half moon.

 

[glowe]

Well . . . I have a BIG screen, but that does not help when I was looking at the wrong gun!!

 

[dbell54]

I think that would be a Target model Military and Police from the late 1920's or early to mid 1930.s. Reason I say this is because it appears to have a Target model rear sight. Don't bet money on what I have told you. We would need much better photos to be sure.

Shouldn't an S&W of that vintage have the shorter (low cut) stocks/grips? Those look like Magnas, which I thought weren't introduced until around 1935.

 

[wheelgun610]

Shouldn't an S&W of that vintage have the shorter (low cut) stocks/grips? Those look like Magnas, which I thought weren't introduced until around 1935.

The stocks on the OP's gun are the style used on the early post-WWII M&P's until around 1951-'52.

Mark

 

[CML]

Possible ID

Could it be a 5th change of a 32 model 30 or 31. SN falls within the range for 1910-1917.

 

[handejector]

Shouldn't an S&W of that vintage have the shorter (low cut) stocks/grips? Those look like Magnas, which I thought weren't introduced until around 1935.

Yes, it should. The grips are not original.

Could it be a 5th change of a 32 model 30 or 31. SN falls within the range for 1910-1917.

No.

 

[glowe]

No matter what style Magna stocks are on that revolver, Magna stocks were not introduced until 1935, well into the 600,000 range. The OP's revolver would have likely shipped in 1926.

 

[Dave Haynes]

It is a great pistol to learn with and to shoot for pleasure. 38 SP is about the best caliber available for target shooting or loaded to standard, a good adequate defense round. Using lead and Bullseye, you can reload for about a dime a shot or less. They just don't make guns like this anymore. Each one is a masterpiece.

 

[Onty]

Good eye, Modified. Here is my slightly earlier gun that letters as a target model. My gun shipped in 1913.

Seems to me that earlier S&W revolvers had beefier and better fitted ejector rod, that consequently made cylinder/crane assembly better, more solid lock-up in the frame, than later designs.

 

[mikepriwer]

Lee, and others

Here is one-picture-only of sn 155055, a .38 1905 semi-target. I did have a factory letter for the gun, and it lettered as a semi-target, or half-target. It was sold in Amoskeag auction #45, in either Dec 2004 or Jan 2005, as lot 382. I don't have any of the documentation. All that Amoskeag was able to find was this picture.

Today, 6/16/2022, I received the following email from Amoskeag. It is the description in auction catalog 45 for lot 382.

Mr. Priwer,

Here is the description from Sale No. 45:

Lot 382. Smith & Wesson 38 H.E. Model 1905 Target Revolver serial #155055, 38 Spl., 6" barrel with an excellent bore. This revolver now resembles the configuration that it originally left the factory in with a service style front sight on a target model frame. This revolver has a replaced barrel and cylinder which are period to the frame. These parts have re-stamped serial numbers to match that of the frames. The frames original number was defaced and is also re-stamped. After a thorough disassembling of the revolver, the original serial number was located indicating that the re-stamped number is correct. The metal surfaces retain about 93% non-original blue finish over some light specks of pitting with the balance blending as a soft brownish color. The hammer and trigger retain strong original case colors. The checkered walnut pre-magna style grips with factory medallions rate near excellent with one ding present. The included factory letter indicates shipment in June 1910 to a Marshall Wells with five other similar revolvers. The letter verifies the very scarce combination of "target" rear, with service style front sights. (640-117) {C&R} (300/500)

Kindly,
Emma Weber
AMOSKEAG AUCTION COMPANY, INC
PH. (603) 627-7383
FAX. (603) 627-7384


Regards, Mike Priwer

 

[handejector]

Mike,

That is the only one I have ever heard of. Have you ever heard of another?

 

[DARE]

The pic Mike posted sure does look just like the OP gun to me.

 

[mikepriwer]

Lee, and others

Here is the auction catalog description for this revolver. Amoskeag was able to find this in some master file that only has catalog descriptions. This is the only document that is available from Amoskeag. It contains a reference to the factory letter, which indicates that there were five other similar revolvers. Perhaps that is a partial answer to your question about whether I have heard about any others. By the way, I was not aware of the serial number issues that were raised in the catalog description.


Mr. Priwer,

Here is the description from Sale No. 45:

Lot 382. Smith & Wesson 38 H.E. Model 1905 Target Revolver serial #155055, 38 Spl., 6" barrel with an excellent bore. This revolver now resembles the configuration that it originally left the factory in with a service style front sight on a target model frame. This revolver has a replaced barrel and cylinder which are period to the frame. These parts have re-stamped serial numbers to match that of the frames. The frames original number was defaced and is also re-stamped. After a thorough disassembling of the revolver, the original serial number was located indicating that the re-stamped number is correct. The metal surfaces retain about 93% non-original blue finish over some light specks of pitting with the balance blending as a soft brownish color. The hammer and trigger retain strong original case colors. The checkered walnut pre-magna style grips with factory medallions rate near excellent with one ding present. The included factory letter indicates shipment in June 1910 to a Marshall Wells with five other similar revolvers. The letter verifies the very scarce combination of "target" rear, with service style front sights. (640-117) {C&R} (300/500)

Kindly,
Emma Weber
AMOSKEAG AUCTION COMPANY, INC
PH. (603) 627-7383
FAX. (603) 627-7384

 

[Muley Gil]

It is a great pistol to learn with and to shoot for pleasure. 38 SP is about the best caliber available for target shooting or loaded to standard, a good adequate defense round. Using lead and Bullseye, you can reload for about a dime a shot or less. They just don't make guns like this anymore. Each one is a masterpiece.

You could before powder and primers went through the roof.

Reloads are still cheaper than factory ammo though.

 

[hibbs]

The rear sight on the lettered gun contours to the frame as it should. The op gun's rear sight base extends out past the frame radius, thus making it an add on sight.

Richard