Early .38 M&P Target
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Does the Serial Number located on the small 'flat' underneath the Barrel, close to the Frame...does it match the Serial Number found on the Butt?
And, also, can you post some close ups of the in-set Rear Sight assembly?
Some Revolvers were sometimes ordered to have a Target type Rear sight, while having a plain Service type Barrel/Front Sight.
Sometimes, someone had a Gunsmith fit a Target Type Rear sight, to a service Revolver, and, the Sight so fitted may or may not have been contemporary with, or of the same kind, as the Revolver would have had, were it a factory Target Model.
So, at a glance, it is hard to say which may apply to the Revolver you have.
More images, close ups of the Rear Sight as seen from above and the rear and the sides, and, a look to the respective Serial Number locations, may aid in determinging what it is.
Very pretty! Regardless! Love those early 'dish top' Square Butt Stocks too.
And, also, can you post some close ups of the in-set Rear Sight assembly?
Some Revolvers were sometimes ordered to have a Target type Rear sight, while having a plain Service type Barrel/Front Sight.
Sometimes, someone had a Gunsmith fit a Target Type Rear sight, to a service Revolver, and, the Sight so fitted may or may not have been contemporary with, or of the same kind, as the Revolver would have had, were it a factory Target Model.
So, at a glance, it is hard to say which may apply to the Revolver you have.
More images, close ups of the Rear Sight as seen from above and the rear and the sides, and, a look to the respective Serial Number locations, may aid in determinging what it is.
Very pretty! Regardless! Love those early 'dish top' Square Butt Stocks too.
bmg60
Member
Hi'
here is a picture of the correct type front sight for your revolver. You mite find a target barrel or you could get a gunsmith to install a sight like the picture.
Jim
Nice gun I would guess about 1909 or 1910.
here is a picture of the correct type front sight for your revolver. You mite find a target barrel or you could get a gunsmith to install a sight like the picture.
Jim
Nice gun I would guess about 1909 or 1910.
Is that a white outline round notch rear sight leaf? I'm going to guess King, 1930s era. Maybe it's the perspective, but the rear sight foot looks like it has an oversize attachment screw and the finish is a little different. This gun may have been a straight M&P in the first place that underwent conversion to a target or semi-target configuration later.
That rear sight begs for a bead front sight like the one Jim pictured or maybe a Marble or Sheard sight closer to the era of the rear sight element.
Nice specimen! I have increasing regard for these century-old guns that were carefully modified by their owners to extend their functionality and maybe even make them work a little better than they did in their original configurations. If my eyes don't deceive me, that is a 6.5 inch barrel, too. Those long barrels make for the most elegant of the M&P line.
I have fixed-sight M&P 102653, not too far away, that shipped in May 1907. I bet Jim is pretty close with his date suggestion.
That rear sight begs for a bead front sight like the one Jim pictured or maybe a Marble or Sheard sight closer to the era of the rear sight element.
Nice specimen! I have increasing regard for these century-old guns that were carefully modified by their owners to extend their functionality and maybe even make them work a little better than they did in their original configurations. If my eyes don't deceive me, that is a 6.5 inch barrel, too. Those long barrels make for the most elegant of the M&P line.
I have fixed-sight M&P 102653, not too far away, that shipped in May 1907. I bet Jim is pretty close with his date suggestion.
My factory Target Model of 1905 with 6 1/2" barrel and serial number 1108xx, letters to April, 1908. So 1909 is probably pretty close.
Jack
#116420 was shipped June 20, 1910, so Mr. Jim appears to be right on the money.
The perhaps not so good news goes along these lines: The rear sight appears to be one the so-called "two screw" variety----the rear screw to adjust elevation----the screw immediately in front of that to lock things down. Is it? The third screw on the tang---up front holds the sight to the frame---old news, right?! If the sight is original to the gun, it will be (serial) numbered on the bottom of the tang. And if it is a "two screw" sight (Design #14), they came on the scene in approximately 1932. (!!) And so--------------------???
Ralph Tremaine
The perhaps not so good news goes along these lines: The rear sight appears to be one the so-called "two screw" variety----the rear screw to adjust elevation----the screw immediately in front of that to lock things down. Is it? The third screw on the tang---up front holds the sight to the frame---old news, right?! If the sight is original to the gun, it will be (serial) numbered on the bottom of the tang. And if it is a "two screw" sight (Design #14), they came on the scene in approximately 1932. (!!) And so--------------------???
Ralph Tremaine
smithfan4152
Member
M&P Target
Typically the rear sight is also serial numbered, as someone already mentioned it's most likely a straight M&P model with the addition of the target rear sight.
I have lettered all of my Pre War M&P Targets just to be sure.
Typically the rear sight is also serial numbered, as someone already mentioned it's most likely a straight M&P model with the addition of the target rear sight.
I have lettered all of my Pre War M&P Targets just to be sure.
Yes - that is definitely the latest pre-WW2 design for a rear sight, so the gun was
not originally shipped with that rear sight assembly - unless the gun was shipped
about 20 years late.
I'd be inclined to leave it as it is. Basically you've got an adjustable rear sight with
a blade-style front sight. That was a decent configuration anyway, for several
years. So - just leave it alone.
Mike Priwer
not originally shipped with that rear sight assembly - unless the gun was shipped
about 20 years late.
I'd be inclined to leave it as it is. Basically you've got an adjustable rear sight with
a blade-style front sight. That was a decent configuration anyway, for several
years. So - just leave it alone.
Mike Priwer
Actually, the "two screw" sight is the next to the latest pre-WW2 design, but who's counting?
Ralph Tremaine
Ralph Tremaine
Ralph
I was thinking about .38's. The micrometer-click sight was only available on the
Outdoorsman 2nd model K-22 .
Regards, Mike Priwer
I was thinking about .38's. The micrometer-click sight was only available on the
Outdoorsman 2nd model K-22 .
Regards, Mike Priwer
That it was, sir! I was just thinking about rear sights.
Ralph Tremaine
Ralph Tremaine
Skeetr57
Member
Didn't the 94 prewar K.32's also have the micrometer sight?
No. The only prewar guns with the large micrometer sight were the K-22 Second Models. Maybe there were a couple of special orders or factory returns for the larger sight, but I have never heard of one.
I was confused about this for a long time.
One more question I forgot to ask. I noticed something about the front sight that struck me as being a little different than the ones on my other M&P's. The half-coin "blade" is very thick looking. As in if you looked at a nickle from the side thickness. None of my other pre-war guns front sights are nowhere near that that width. Does anyone have an explanation for the thick sight? Here is a bad pic that might better show what I'm asking about.
