Model of 1905 3rd change half target(Factory Letter Update)

[gjamison]

Picked this up at auction last week and it was just dropped off today. To say i was pleasantly surprised was an understatement. The condition is a whole lot better than I thought. This gun serial numbers correct in all the right places, the bluing and case color on the trigger and hammer are outstanding!

Smith&Wesson .38 Military&Police 3rd change half target model. What makes it a half target is the front sight can be changed. Dates between 1910 and 1911.


Dr Reginald Hall Sayre (1859-1929) - Find a Grave Memorial

 

[quinn]

Drop dead gorgeious, George. Congrats.

 

[gmborkovic]

"half target"? That's new terminology I have never heard of.

 

[bobsguns]

"half target"? That's new terminology I have never heard of.

Better than half-crazy or half-stupid..............

 

[Gunhohulk]

Better than half-crazy or half-stupid..............

Been accused of those before!

 

[daddio202]

That gun is one sweet find! I have to repeat from another post and say it's just gorgeous! I have a later 4th change. I call a semi-target, but the letter from S&W calls it a special order variation. I can live with that, too. The OP must get a letter.

 

[gjamison]

Information added about the original owner! Insanely cool!!

 

[handejector]

Do you have a letter on it?

 

[gjamison]

Do you have a letter on it?

It’s on the way Lee.

 

[glowe]

Was the link to Sayre a clue as to whom the gun was sent?

 

[mikepriwer]

George

What is the barrel length of the gun? Maybe 6.5" ?

Regards, Mike Priwer

 

[gjamison]

Was the link to Sayre a clue as to whom the gun was sent?

Yes it was.

 

[gjamison]

George

What is the barrel length of the gun? Maybe 6.5" ?

Regards, Mike Priwer

Its 6"........

 

[gjamison]

Received factory letter.

 

[gjamison]

More information from the letter.

 

[Truckman]

George, that is some fine provenance to have been included with your letter...That is good evidence toward why I say each S&W deserves a SWHF letter, and each letter is worth what you pay......Ben

 

[glowe]

There are lots of pictures of Sayre online. This one is my favorite showing him with the 1908 Olympic Team.

 

[quinn]

This falls into the category of stunning provenance. Congrats George.

 

[HeloMt]

That is a great photo of the 1908 Olympic team. I love the hats! Eight distinguished gentlemen, all of which probably had hearing impairment. Such as it was in those days...

 

[DARE]

Congrats on having a Dr. Sayre gun. He was quite a guy.
I don't have one of his guns, but I do have a Dr. Sayre story. Or maybe it is a Roy Jinks story about Dr. Sayre.
I bought a .38 Military Model of 1899 6.5-inch Target #3554 on GB. The seller had a note that said the barrel did not have a serial number.
I won the gun and posted about it. Another Forum member that also bid on the gun told me it did have a number on the barrel, 3555. Said whoever examined the gun missed it.
When I received the gun, in the package was a page of emails between a previous owner and Roy Jinks.

The guy said he had a gun #3554 but the barrel was numbered #3555. Asked Roy if it left the factory that way.

Roy said he thought the barrel was right. It was not used on 3555. That gun had an 8-inch barrel and too bad you do not have that gun as it would really be a winner. It went to a very famous Olympic shooter.

The guy wrote back and said now my curiosity has taken over...would you "have to kill me" if you told who this famous Olympic shooter was??

Roy wrote back, the shooter was Dr. R. H. Sayre captain of the United States Shooting Team. Just like to whet the interest.