How about those S&W single shots?

[PALADIN85020]

These are the guns that look like revolvers or automatics, but they are not - the Smith & Wesson single shot line. These were a big deal on the bullseye ranges back around the turn of the 20th Century. There were three revolver-framed guns and one that looked like a semiauto pistol. All fired .22 rimfire rounds. I have one, a third model single shot, known as the "perfected" single shot. It sports a 10-inch barrel and was made on the frame of the .38 Perfected Double Action revolver. A single shot target gun with a double action trigger - who would have guessed it? I think that makes it unique in S&W history.

This example was shipped in March of 1914, and is in excellent shape. About seven thousand were made from 1909 through 1923. All had a blue finish and (most) had 10-inch barrels. The stocks were also used on the Bekeart pattern 22/32 I-frames. Some had a shortened chamber into which the cartridge had to be forced - these were the so-called "Olympic" models that had a good reputation for enhanced accuracy.

If you've got one or more of the single shots, let's see 'em!

John

 

[H Richard]

John, while the frame of the 3rd Model Single Shot "Perfect", was based on the 38 Perfected model, it used .32 Hand Ejector parts (I frame). The double action (or single action) triggers on these guns are fantastic. Mine was shipped in July 1917, and has a non matching S/N 8" barrel. I understand that 6" as well as 8" were available along with the standard 10" barrels. Mine was well used, and had non standard parts. I did have to replace a few parts and fit them. Definitely .32 HE parts.

 

[PALADIN85020]

John, while the frame of the 3rd Model Single Shot "Perfect", was based on the 38 Perfected model, it used .32 Hand Ejector parts (I frame). The double action (or single action) triggers on these guns are fantastic. Mine was shipped in July 1917, and has a non matching S/N 8" barrel. I understand that 6" as well as 8" were available along with the standard 10" barrels. Mine was well used, and had non standard parts. I did have to replace a few parts and fit them. Definitely .32 HE parts.

Interesting on the barrel length. My copy of Roy Jinks' History of Smith & Wesson, on page 118, indicates 10 inch barrels, with no mention of other barrel lengths. However the SCSW does mention rare 6" and 8" barrels. Cool!

John

 

[forindooruseonly]

Very nice! I've been looking for a single shot S&W for a while now as the counterpart to my Colt Camp Perry, but I just haven't found one when I've had the funds handy. My brother has a Perfected model as well, but he won't give up the goods, lol. I do like these old target pistols, thanks for sharing.

 

[H Richard]

FYI. Just received my copy of Gun Digest in the mail today, and on page 47 there are a couple 1st Model Single shots listed.

 

[1 old 0311]

I see them from time to time. Always a bit more than I am willing to spend.

 

[ddeanjohnson]

Third Model (Perfected), 1916

 

[deadin]

forindooruseonly,
I can say the same thing about looking for a Camp Perry to go along with my S&W..
(Including the bit about lack of funds... in spades!)

 

[Dosgatos]

Here's my 1st Model .22, which shipped to Philip Bekeart & Co., San Francisco, on March 18, 1905. The gun is engraved "Morve Weaver" on the left side. Mr. Weaver was the City Engineer of Visalia, California, early in the last century, and apparently did some competitive target shooting. The case is an old redwood box I had lying around, which I modified to fit the gun.

 

[ralph7]

the first model was the first handgun i ever shot as a child.
i very stupidly got rid of it and want another.

 

[RubEric]

Here's mine:

re's Mine:

 

[H. M. Pope]

These are some of my S&W Single Shots.
1-Model 1891 Combo.
2-S&W 22 S S First Model, Karl Frederick gun.
3-S&W 22 S S Second Model with extra 32 Barrel.
4-S&W 22 S S Third Model.
5-S&W 22 Straight Line- Cased.
Regards
H. M. Pope

 

[H. M. Pope]

A few more.
1-S&W 22 H. M. Pope Cased Barrel .
2-S&W 22 H. M. Pope Marked Barrel.
3-S&W 22 H. M. Pope Target.
4-S&W 22 Standard Chamber.
5-S&W 22 Olympic Chamber.

I can see that if I keep doing this I'm going to need a better camera.
Regards
H. M. Pope

 

[ralph7]

mr. "pope" that is a very fine collection!

 

[PALADIN85020]

A few more.
1-S&W 22 H. M. Pope Cased Barrel .
2-S&W 22 H. M. Pope Marked Barrel.
3-S&W 22 H. M. Pope Target.
4-S&W 22 Standard Chamber.
5-S&W 22 Olympic Chamber.

I can see that if I keep doing this I'm going to need a better camera.
Regards
H. M. Pope

OUTSTANDING collection of single shots! Thanks for showing them to us!

John

 

[H. M. Pope]

Thanks for the kind comments guys, one of these days I'll buy a better camera and learn how to use it .
Regards
H. M. Pope

 

[red9]

Here are my 6" first model, 8" second model and 10" third model. My understanding is that all lengths were offered in the first model, with some left over barrels fitted to second models. Anything other than 10" would be a special order on a third model. I find this strange, as it would have been very easy for the factory to shorten an unfinished barrel and pin the front sight anywhere on the full-length rib. The Colt Camp Perry and H&R USRA started with 10", the Colt changing to 8" and the H&R later offering 7 & 8" options.

Bob #946

 

[H. M. Pope]

red9,
Yes, it is very easy to shorten the barrel on most any gun. But most target guns had taper choked barrels, tapered of course from the rear to the front. I never checked S&W SS target barrels to see if they were tapered but have checked both the Colt Camp Perry and the H&R USRA pistols, they are taper choked.

If one was to take and cut a 10 inch S&W barrel down to 8 inches and if it was a taper choke you would be cutting off the taper choke part of the barrel and taking away from the accuracy of the gun.

That may be one of the reasons a shorter than standard length was special order only.

Does any one know if S&W SS used taper choked barrels, they do shoot like they are but I never checked one to be sure.
Regards
H. M. Pope