29aholic,
The top screw was discontinued in 1955 and the 38 Target Masterpiece was designated the Mdl 14 in 1957, that is how I was able to date this gun as made in 1955-56; it doesn't have the 5th screw & it doesn't have the "mdl 14" stamp.
The only one signed is the S&W 22, it was engraved by Frank Hendricks of San Antonio. He did a lot of the Texas Ranger's guns. Sadly, he passed in 2003.
The S&W 38 has a small 1158 stamped on the grip frame under the grips, which indicates that it was returned to S&W for some type of work in Nov of 1958, but they won't have a record of what was done. The engraving on this one is really nice, much better than shone by the pictures; very intricate and finely detailed. Whoever the artist was, he was a master.
The Colt looks like factory "C" or "D", I mailed a letter request today, but it will 3 months before I know.
I plan to shoot all of them, that's what guns are for, and it's a lot more fun to shoot a pretty one than an ugly one!
Houston Rick,
Some of them were dealing, you just had to get down on your knees and beg!
Seriously, I paid a fair price for the Colt, and bought the two S&W's from the same man at a bargain basement price.
Durco,
I'm Swamprat over on the Colt Forum & Gatorbaiter here.
