Those of you who know me know I am quite fond of 38/44 OD's, King Gun Sight modifications, and Roper Stocks. So, when a fellow forum and SWCA member offered me this 38/44 King Super Target, I simply couldn't say no 
The gun was definitely used for its intended purpose and was not a safe queen but I think its still pretty and hasn't been mistreated. The Ropers are very nice with some dings along the bottom edge. I'm not sure how long they have been with this gun as they are numbered in pencil to a different revolver.
Pre War 38/44 Outdoorsman with serial number 40342 shipped from the factory on December 24, 1931, and was delivered to J. J. Skelly, a factory salesman covering the New England area. The revolver was charged out to Skelly on memo account along with a fixed sight M&P and an M&P target. The gun came with 2 letters, one from 1996 and one from 2009.
From looking at the documents from the SWHF, it appears these guns were lent out on memo account to Skelly so he could call on Lieutenant James E Hughes of the Massachusetts State Police Training School, who, per his letter dated 12/24/31, was in the market to purchase 8 new revolvers for his pistol team. He requested that the salesman (Skelly) bring a few samples for him to choose from.
It appears, the three revolvers were lent out to Skelly on 12/28/31 to make his sales call to Hughes. I'd assume Hughes was able to test fire all 3 guns at that time to make his decision on which model to order for the shooting team.
On 1/7/32, an invoice was created showing a 38/44 to be forwarded immediately to Hughes. Also, Skelly wrote on Hughes original letter (shown above), referencing the 1/7/32 order and stating that Hughes needed a 38/44 to show his supervisor (I assume to make the case to the supervisor that the 38/44 was the gun he wanted for his shooting team). Its unclear whether or not this was the same (subject) 38/44 that was lent out to Skelly or another revolver.
It's hard to say where this 38/44 ended up after it accompanied Skelly on his sales call on 12/28/31, but I think we can all agree it must have made it into the hands of a serious target shooter who wanted it outfitted with one of those King Super Target Ribs and Cockeyed Hammers!
You will also notice that in the older of the two letters, circa 1996, Roy stated in the last sentence of the letter that he believed the hammer to be of S&W manufacture rather than King. I'm not so certain of that as it looks 100% like most all the King hammers I have ever seen. It is marked "Pat Pend" on the bottom of the spur, this is the first time I have ever seen (or at least noticed) this. It would be interesting if there were any factory documented target style hammers from this period that might lend credence to the notion of it being a factory product.
The gun was definitely used for its intended purpose and was not a safe queen but I think its still pretty and hasn't been mistreated. The Ropers are very nice with some dings along the bottom edge. I'm not sure how long they have been with this gun as they are numbered in pencil to a different revolver.
Pre War 38/44 Outdoorsman with serial number 40342 shipped from the factory on December 24, 1931, and was delivered to J. J. Skelly, a factory salesman covering the New England area. The revolver was charged out to Skelly on memo account along with a fixed sight M&P and an M&P target. The gun came with 2 letters, one from 1996 and one from 2009.
From looking at the documents from the SWHF, it appears these guns were lent out on memo account to Skelly so he could call on Lieutenant James E Hughes of the Massachusetts State Police Training School, who, per his letter dated 12/24/31, was in the market to purchase 8 new revolvers for his pistol team. He requested that the salesman (Skelly) bring a few samples for him to choose from.
It appears, the three revolvers were lent out to Skelly on 12/28/31 to make his sales call to Hughes. I'd assume Hughes was able to test fire all 3 guns at that time to make his decision on which model to order for the shooting team.
On 1/7/32, an invoice was created showing a 38/44 to be forwarded immediately to Hughes. Also, Skelly wrote on Hughes original letter (shown above), referencing the 1/7/32 order and stating that Hughes needed a 38/44 to show his supervisor (I assume to make the case to the supervisor that the 38/44 was the gun he wanted for his shooting team). Its unclear whether or not this was the same (subject) 38/44 that was lent out to Skelly or another revolver.
It's hard to say where this 38/44 ended up after it accompanied Skelly on his sales call on 12/28/31, but I think we can all agree it must have made it into the hands of a serious target shooter who wanted it outfitted with one of those King Super Target Ribs and Cockeyed Hammers!
You will also notice that in the older of the two letters, circa 1996, Roy stated in the last sentence of the letter that he believed the hammer to be of S&W manufacture rather than King. I'm not so certain of that as it looks 100% like most all the King hammers I have ever seen. It is marked "Pat Pend" on the bottom of the spur, this is the first time I have ever seen (or at least noticed) this. It would be interesting if there were any factory documented target style hammers from this period that might lend credence to the notion of it being a factory product.
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. I need to plan a range trip and take them all 
