S&W 1905 target with cut barrel

[Cattledog48]

My first post a week off for the holidays so why not.
Curious if anyone has ever seen a modified 1905 like the one I just bought from an estate…someone shortened the matching serial number barrel to 4" and fabricated a unique shark fin front sight …finish missing from right side but otherwise in very good condition for its mid 1930's production date. When the Trigger gauge Read 2.3 pounds single action I couldn't resist! Took it to the range and At 10 yards it's almost a one hole gun shooting 38 special WC.
Dave In South Carolina

 

[Waveski]

That's a tapered variation of a Patridge front site. Noting that there is also target type rear site , it is clear that someone endeavored to have a target revolver.
Can't say why someone would want to shorten the site radius on a target gun though.

 

[Cattledog48]

I wondered the same thing.The rear target sight is original…my best guess is someone wanted a 4" carry gun with better sights …I put some packmayr grips on and put it in a 4" python holster…not exactly CCW but kinds cool

 

[glowe]

I always have mixed feelings about altered guns. Value is significantly reduced, but there is still something interesting about that one. In the 1930s, 4", 5", and 6" barrels were available and all Target revolvers used the 6" barrel except for maybe a few special orders. I really like walnut stocks and yours appear to be in great condition, so am wondering why the rubber grips? Watch those grips, they can change the bluing and will rust the butt-frame if the gun gets wet.

1930s Target revolvers were about the pinnacle of development and manufacture for the long action K frames and probably the best Targets produced by the company pre-WWII. Nothing but the best trigger action, light pull, no creep, and perfect break point. I have a couple Targets from the 1930s and enjoy shooting them.

 

[Waveski]

The "Goodyears" are a disservice to that old Smith&Wesson , and the front site is not designed for smooth holster draw.
You are best off enjoying that vintage target revolver for what it is.

 

[Cattledog48]

Uncle! Didn't mean to "offend" anyone. The beautiful original grips and the amazing trigger are why I bought it
My dog is a mixed breed and won't win any shows but a great dog in all other ways I am starting to feel the same way about this pistol.
Someone with skill took the time and effort to cut and regrown the barrel , fabricate the unusual front sight and tune the trigger…too bad the pistol can't tell us its story
I only put the pachmayr grips on for a Trip to range to indulge a good friend who wants to shoot it.
They will be back off and the wood back on when I clean it !

 

[RKmesa]

I too have one that was cut

They are fun.

Thanks for sharing and welcome to the forum.

 

[Cattledog48]

Yours is Really Nice !!! A much nicer front sight and better finish. But don't let "my dog" know I said that LOL
Cool to see another cut down 1905 target . Thanks for sharing too !
Not really new to the forum but new to participating instead of just watching from the sidelines

 

[rct269]

The triggers were "tuned" by the factory-------on all the targets. This from the catalog of the time: "For these reasons a special type of trigger pull is desirable-----not by any means simply a very light pull, but one having the peculiar quality termed "short and crisp" by shooters. This not only requires a special type of notch and trigger point, but requires a different adjustment of the working parts of the action."

And there you have it--and do let us know if you have any idea what they're talking about.

As an aside, they do note the target guns go out the door with a trigger pull of 3-4 lbs. while the fixed sight guns are from 5-7.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[StrawHat]

…Can't say why someone would want to shorten the site radius on a target gun though…

Probably the same reason I have done it to a few pieces, to get the great sight picture a Patridge offers but in a barrel length better suited for carrying.

Kevin

 

[wweste]

I have a different S & W revolver, a Model of 1950 Military, with a shortened barrel, about three inches long. I don't understand the logic, but it is what it is.

 

[Cattledog48]

The triggers were "tuned" by the factory-------on all the targets. This from the catalog of the time: "For these reasons a special type of trigger pull is desirable-----not by any means simply a very light pull, but one having the peculiar quality termed "short and crisp" by shooters. This not only requires a special type of notch and trigger point, but requires a different adjustment of the working parts of the action."

And there you have it--and do let us know if you have any idea what they're talking about.

As an aside, they do note the target guns go out the door with a trigger pull of 3-4 lbs. while the fixed sight guns are from 5-7.

Ralph Tremaine

Ralph
Very helpful! I will try to get my hands on a mid 30's catalog. That being said I have tested the trigger pull on my 1905 on a Lyman electronic gauge and reads 2.3 pounds consistently. I am guessing that no matter how good the factory trigger a talented smith can almost always make it even better.
Dave

 

[Cattledog48]

Probably the same reason I have done it to a few pieces, to get the great sight picture a Patridge offers but in a barrel length better suited for carrying.

Kevin

Kevin
I Really like the front sight on yours ! Almost makes me want to have a Smith replace the shark fin front sight on mine. Almost.
4" barrel or less ? Gold bead on the patridge ?
I never expected this many responses with such nice examples of cut barrels
Dave

 

[Waveski]

Here's what a gold dot on a Patridge looks like.

I'm not suggesting that you change the distinctive site you have.
I wouldn't change a thing on that modified target .38.

 

[cgt4570]

Same here. Had a .38 Target that was butchered. I found a .32-20 cylinder and 4" barrel for it and had my gunsmith fit a target front sight to the M&P sight base. It's a fun shooter and probably worth more now than the chopped .38 it was.
I have several .38 pre war K targets, but only a couple .32-20 targets. One more that I can have fun with and not care about it was well worth the small cost.

 

[StrawHat]

Kevin
I Really like the front sight on yours ! Almost makes me want to have a Smith replace the shark fin front sight on mine. Almost.
4" barrel or less ? Gold bead on the patridge ?
I never expected this many responses with such nice examples of cut barrels
Dave

Dave,

Thank you.

The revolver is a Model 25-2. When I received it, the barrel had been hacked of just forward of the ejector reinforce, roughly 3". The term roughly is accurate as a chop saw was apparently used to shorten the barrel. Another barrel was included in the sale, the one you see on the revolver. The front sight was installed crooked so it was straightedge prior to having the barrel installed. A gold bead was added to the Patridge sight.

The barrel is 4.25" long. An odd length but I am too cheap to have it shortened 1/4"!

A more complete telling of the story is found in this thread,

Opinions wanted on this bubba'd 25-2

Kevin

 

[Jim Watson]

That is a weird "barleycorn" front sight. I would be tempted to remodify it if I could find a King or similar front sight.

 

[MRH]

I have a prewar K-22 that was cut like that, it has made for a dandy little field gun. I would buy a 38 just like it in a heartbeat.

 

[2152hq]

I have a pre-war .22 Outdoorsman that was cut.
I think the bbl is about 4" now. The mechanic soldered a new frontsight base/blade back on but it's gone. Solder doesn't stick too well to the blued finish.

I'm thinking of making a 2" bbl'd Target.
Sleeve a 2" bbl over the turned down straight orig bbl. So it retains the orig bore/rifling. Target blade pinned into the sight base.
Set the shoulder back a turn or so and reset the gap, forcing cone etc.
Ivory, engraved,,,something different.,,..Though I think Ed McGivern may have had one.


Ideas, ideas. Only to find the time.

 

[Modified]

Edit: Sorry, double posted.