S&W Perfected Single Shot Pistol 3rd model - PICS

[CLASSIC12]

Hi everyone

I just bought a S&W single shot through an internet auction. In fact all their unsold objects are available post-auction at the starting (reserve) price. So I paid 960.- Swiss francs (abt. the same in US$).

Don't know much about these.

According to the auction house, it is a Model 2 with 10 inch barrel, .22 LR, serial number 1061, supposedly 4617 units built between 1905-1909. Condition as new.

I have yet to receive it but here is a first picture from the auction house.

Opinions / experience etc.. are welcome.

And any idea of year built ?

Thanks

PS They also have this one, Straight Line Single Shot, unsold sofar, available for 1440.-

Serial number 656

 

[g8rb8]

Congratulations! That's a very attractive firearm.
I do not know much about these two Smith & Wesson models but I've admired them.

Re: Second Model Single Shot. The SCSW (Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson) says 4615 manufactured of the Second Model Single Shot and says the original grips for these are "black hard rubber grips of the extension type with S&W monograms." Additionally the SCSW says "the trigger guard is still a separate piece from the frame." To me the trigger guard looks integral to the frame in the picture you provided so I think what you have is not a Second Model.

Re: Third Model (Perfected Target Pistol). The SCSW says the trigger is centered in the trigger guard and the trigger guard is integral to the frame and the original grips would be walnut extension grips with or WITHOUT S&W monograms. Serial # range 4618 - 11641 with 6949 manufactured circa 1909-1923. This is the model I think you show in your picture.

The Fourth Model (The Straight Line Target) is differentiated by it's shape (more like an autoloader). and it has a side-swing barrel. It would come originally with a green felt-lined blue metal case with S&W trademark stamped on top.

 

[glowe]

Something is not quite right here. The picture shows a Third Model double action trigger, but the serial number is too low. The first two models were fashioned from the 38 Single Action (Model 1891) revolver and the Third Model used a 38 Double Action frame. The serial number range for the 3rd was 4618 - 11,641. Tell us whether the bottom of the barrel is flat or rounded?? The 3rd was flat and supposedly the 1st and 2nd barrels would not fit the 3rd frame.

 

[g8rb8]

Something is not quite right here. The picture shows a Third Model double action trigger, but the serial number is too low. The first two models were fashioned from the 38 Single Action (Model 1891) revolver and the Third Model used a 38 Double Action frame. The serial number range for the 3rd was 4618 - 11,641. Tell us whether the bottom of the barrel is flat or rounded?? The 3rd was flat and supposedly the 1st and 2nd barrels would not fit the 3rd frame.

Glowe makes a good point. Serial #'s for the Second Model Single Shot range from 1 - 4617 according to SCSW. The frame for the your pictured firearm is definitively a Third Model. According to the SCSW barrels from the First and Second models will not fit the Third model. Is it possibly you or the auction house has incorrectly listed the serial number?

 

[CLASSIC12]

Congratulations! That's a very attractive firearm.
I do not know much about these two Smith & Wesson models but I've admired them.

Re: Second Model Single Shot. The SCSW (Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson) says 4615 manufactured of the Second Model Single Shot and says the original grips for these are "black hard rubber grips of the extension type with S&W monograms." Additionally the SCSW says "the trigger guard is still a separate piece from the frame." To me the trigger guard looks integral to the frame in the picture you provided so I think what you have is not a Second Model.

Re: Third Model (Perfected Target Pistol). The SCSW says the trigger is centered in the trigger guard and the trigger guard is integral to the frame and the original grips would be walnut extension grips with or WITHOUT S&W monograms. Serial # range 4618 - 11641 with 6949 manufactured circa 1909-1923. This is the model I think you show in your picture.

The Fourth Model (The Straight Line Target) is differentiated by it's shape (more like an autoloader). and it has a side-swing barrel. It would come originally with a green felt-lined blue metal case with S&W trademark stamped on top.

Something is not quite right here. The picture shows a Third Model double action trigger, but the serial number is too low. The first two models were fashioned from the 38 Single Action (Model 1891) revolver and the Third Model used a 38 Double Action frame. The serial number range for the 3rd was 4618 - 11,641. Tell us whether the bottom of the barrel is flat or rounded?? The 3rd was flat and supposedly the 1st and 2nd barrels would not fit the 3rd frame.

Glowe makes a good point. Serial #'s for the Second Model Single Shot range from 1 - 4617 according to SCSW. The frame for the your pictured firearm is definitively a Third Model. According to the SCSW barrels from the First and Second models will not fit the Third model. Is it possibly you or the auction house has incorrectly listed the serial number?

Thanks for helping out. My SCSW is in storage after a fire in the house last fall.

It is a possibility, they sell 900 objects over 1 1/2 days, so a typo cannot be excluded. I should receive it in a few days, so will check numbers, barrel shape and post some good pictures.

I guess it is safe to shoot with standard velocity ammo, as well as .22 short ? It's not rare enough to make it a safe queen I suppose ?

 

[ol777gunnerz]

I have seen quite a few of the S&W single shots listed as the wrong model on Cabelas online Gun Library, Gunbroker, etc. The one pictured in this thread is as others have pointed out, a third model. The only thing I have to add is an unknown number of the extra barrels S&W produced, that were not sold in the years before the 3rd model Perfected came out, apparently had the rounded bottom milled off to fit the 3rd models. I know because I have a 32 S&W single shot barrel I purchased, by itself with no serial numbers, with model of 91 rollstamp without the maltese crosses [1st model] on either side. I assume it is 2nd model barrel & fits my 3rd model, bottom is milled flat.

 

[red9]

Regarding the Straight Line, my suggestion is buy it. The front sight has been modified/replaced, but judging from the photo it is still a very good deal. If readily available, I would stick to LR standard velocity in your third model (and Straight Line?). It will not hurt the gun, lessens buildup of fouling in the chamber, and is more accurate (although the short will probably be more accurate than most shooters).

Bob

 

[CLASSIC12]

Well to be honest I did not even bid on the 3rd model, just saw live that it attracted no offers so I emailed the auction house to buy it at the starting price. Bought it on a whim really.

Now the straight line seems very attractive too, but pricier, and my budget was already exploded. I bought a S&W 1006, a full auto Thompson 1928A1 (Savage), a Walther P38, a Ruger 10/22 with folding stock, scope and silencer, and an Automag mod. 180 North Hollywood.

And I missed out on a 4 inch nickel mod. 29, a 1978 CZ 75, a couple of other Walthers, a couple of Pythons, a couple of Wichester 94. And I did not even bid on a full auto Mauser C96 712, which went for a reasonable price.

In fact my entire 2015 budget (which I never really set) is cooked.

 

[CLASSIC12]

Received it

Very nice gun, almost new condition (just a few minor dings under the trigger guard). Such a bizarre and pretty piece. It is extremely light and nimble but long, like some magic wand (can this turn me into a shooter ? ).

Serial number puts manufacture around 1922 I guess?

Olympic chamber

I just can't wait to take her to the range (fired a few in the garden already).

 

[mmaher94087]

classic12, nice pistol. One comment; third photo from the top - the witness marks on the hinge pin do not align. Both marks should be facing forward. Carefully loosen the screw a few turns and tap the hinge pin out slightly. Align the marks and secure the screw. I'll sleep better knowing it's corrected.

 

[ol777gunnerz]

Olympic barrel, winner, winner, chicken dinner! mmaher94087 is correct about the hinge not seated properly, good eyes for him seeing that.

 

[H Richard]

You did notice the flat barrel bottom on the 3rd Mod Frame. I also have a 3rd Model, but with a 2nd Mod barrel fit to it, yes it is a flat bottom barrel, and the 3rd receiver of mine is flat, (although possibly an expert could make out it may have been filed/stoned then re-blued in the flat bottom configuration.

 

[CLASSIC12]

classic12, nice pistol. One comment; third photo from the top - the witness marks on the hinge pin do not align. Both marks should be facing forward. Carefully loosen the screw a few turns and tap the hinge pin out slightly. Align the marks and secure the screw. I'll sleep better knowing it's corrected.

Thanks, good eye indeed. I will correct that, don't want you to become insomniac .