Model of 1905-4th change, target

[raylesworth]

Trying to acquire a pretty nice target 38, rear sight leaf is missing, any suggestions for price/value, & where I might get a correct replacement leaf? No medallion grips, but correct serial number is penciled under the right side slab. Does the King front bead come standard on this era, or will I need a letter to confirm? Ya I know, full of questions today! Any input is welcome, even veiled insults! No box, papers, etc.

 

[raylesworth]

View of the sight slot, sorry for the blur.

 

[raylesworth]

What determined whether the stocks have medallions?

 

[JP@AK]

What determined whether the stocks have medallions?

Year of production. During the entire 1920s-decade medallions were absent from walnut stocks. "Fancy stocks" (ivory and MOP) when available did have a medallion during that period. Medallions returned c. 1930. Walnut stocks up to c. 1910 were also sans medallions.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Does the King front bead come standard on this era, or will I need a letter to confirm?

It might have been a special order but it was not standard. I suspect it was added after the gun shipped. A letter will confirm how the gun was configured when shipped.

 

[22hipower]

The King front sight may not be standard but they are sought after by many collectors. The pictures aren't really sharp enough to confirm condition but it looks pretty nice, nice enough to be one I'd like to have. As to value, something less than the one from the '30s, with box, that sold this past weekend at RIA for a hammer price of $2500 which would be about $3250 by the time the buyer paid the buyers premium, tax, shipping, etc.

 

[RKmesa]

Rear sight "blades" can sometimes be found on ebay...

 

[glowe]

The King front sight was not available until the 1930s. Bob Neal of Neal & Jinks fame did a study of rear and front sights on S&Ws and a partial page is attached. If you have an example, these sight blades can be easily made from the right thickness steel. The 1920s rear sight blade is shown below, also from Neal's study. The serial number is often needed to determine whether any set of stocks is period correct, except clues for your gun clearly pinpoint the gun to the 1920s. The MADE IN USA stamp was added to the frame around 1921/1922 and the mushroom shaped ejector rod knob was replaced around 1927.

 

[hkcavalier]

I have an early K-22 with a similar Marble brand bead front sight as shipped from S&W, no indication of special order in the letter, so it's definitely possible.

 

[raylesworth]

Thnks JP!

It might have been a special order but it was not standard. I suspect it was added after the gun shipped. A letter will confirm how the gun was configured when shipped.

Sounds like a letter request will be worth it, given the feedback. Thanks to Wiregrassguy, & big shout out to glowe for the great sight info. The rear sight blade slot indicates thinner steel than what was on post war target sights. I have an excellent local 'smith, that could make one for me, but I don't have any prewar targets for a pattern. I note that the upper corners are rounded or beveled.

The King front sight may not be standard but they are sought after by many collectors. The pictures aren't really sharp enough to confirm condition but it looks pretty nice, nice enough to be one I'd like to have. As to value, something less than the one from the '30s, with box, that sold this past weekend at RIA for a hammer price of $2500 which would be about $3250 by the time the buyer paid the buyers premium, tax, shipping, etc.

I will try to get the rear sight leaf, & shoot it a bit. It may be on the market, as it doesn't really fit my interests, but just couldn't pass up one this nice. My wife has heard that phrase so many times, the eyeroll sounds like thunder. I will order a letter too, just for interest if it has a connection here in Montana.

 

[Muley Gil]

A Ruger (GASP!) rear sight blade could probably be made to fit.

 

[paplinker]

So that king sight most resembles the super police sight they offered. I went through a couple of my king catalogs and was unable to find that exact blade but it is very close to the super police sight they were offering. Your going to be looking for a U notch rear blade.
A couple just sold on this site a few weeks ago so they do come up and are around. I will keep an eye out.

Here is an old thread showing what your looking for.

L

Thread 'FS King Pre-war Target Rear Sight blades All SPF'

Mar 26, 2012

All SPF, Thanks,Men!
On offer is a group of King target rear sight blades. Each is NOS, some in factory wrap. Applications are taken from an old King advertisement, a copy of which is attached. Price for each is 30.00, first class mail shipping included. First "I'll take it" prevails, please follow with a PM or email. Condition best judged by the photos and questions are welcome.

#1. A; round notch for 22/32 HE Target, 6" bbl.

#2. A; round notch for...

• Local Hand
• Replies: 5
• Forum: Accessories/Misc - For Sale or Trade

 

[blackdeuce]

Here's mine. It was one of my first S&Ws. I think I determined that it was factory re-blued in the 40s based on stamps under the grips. I need to research it again.

 

[blackdeuce]

Here's a picture of my rear sight.

 

[blackdeuce]

I went back through my old posts and I think this was my first S&W. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, but I got lucky and didn't get hurt on the deal. I believe it was factory re-blued in January of 1947. That is the best guess given the numbers under the grips. Serial number is 473XXX*,

 

[Gun Relics]

Trying to acquire a pretty nice target 38, rear sight leaf is missing, any suggestions for price/value, & where I might get a correct replacement leaf? No medallion grips, but correct serial number is penciled under the right side slab. Does the King front bead come standard on this era, or will I need a letter to confirm? Ya I know, full of questions today! Any input is welcome, even veiled insults! No box, papers, etc.

I've puchased two on auction in the last few months. One was in excellent condition from 1939 with medallion stocks, all original and matching and it was under $1000. The other was all in very good to excellent condition, all original and matching with standard stocks from 1929 and it was $650.

They are great guns but they do come up for auction frequently enough to keep the prices down. I just bought a pair of medallion stocks in excellent condition for $125. That was a good deal, most you see are pretty worn out. Both are lettered.

These guys have many thousands of parts - you can email them, they will respond. Send a pic of the target sight.
http://www.outbackgunparts.com

 

[Gun Relics]

Here are some photos of the sight. These are pretty flat across the top and sides.

 

[raylesworth]

I've puchased two on auction in the last few months. One was in excellent condition from 1939 with medallion stocks, all original and matching and it was under $1000. The other was all in very good to excellent condition, all original and matching with standard stocks from 1929 and it was $650.

They are great guns but they do come up for auction frequently enough to keep the prices down. I just bought a pair of medallion stocks in excellent condition for $125. That was a good deal, most you see are pretty worn out. Both are lettered.

These guys have many thousands of parts - you can email them, they will respond. Send a pic of the target sight.
http://www.outbackgunparts.com




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And a box! Very nice.

 

[raylesworth]

Here are some photos of the sight. These are pretty flat across the top and sides.

View attachment 754908

View attachment 754909

Thanks for the help!