Second model target

[Old TexMex]

The letter showed up, sure enough.
Thanks, Lee for giving me the confidence to use my own judgement. A very lucky risk

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Good deal,My 2nd Model .44 Target also lettered about a week ago.It shipped to a very interesting Dr. out of NY that was the head of the Elmira Reformatory.

 

[STCM(SW)]

Yours is a lot better looking then mine....

 

[Old TexMex]

Good deal,My 2nd Model .44 Target also lettered about a week ago.It shipped to a very interesting Dr. out of NY that was the head of the Elmira Reformatory.

This one comes with a nice collection of photographs and letters from the original owners time as a mining manager in the wild west, his sons time in service for our country in S.E. Asia and the original owners grandson interesting (ongoing) life. I'm flattered to be the custodian of this heirloom, for sure.

 

[Old TexMex]

Yours is a lot better looking then mine....

The same gunshop. I wonder if anyone has a picture of that business from that era. Sure like to have one.

 

[DWalt]

Tryon was somewhat more than a gunshop. I believe it was a very large and well-established east coast sporting goods distributor and retailer in Philadelphia during the 19th and earlier 20th centuries. I don't know much about them, but all sorts of sporting goods items turn up associated with the Tryon name. Sort of in the same category as Abercrombie & Fitch.

 

[STCM(SW)]

 

[Old TexMex]

I'm wondering how many of these were built?
My letter says 17,510 but how many were targets? Any WAG's?

 

[Muley Gil]

I'm wondering how many of these were built?
My letter says 17,510 but how many were targets? Any WAG's?

The usual number given is 10%, but I would guess that would be high.

 

[Retired W4]

At the turn of the century through the 1920's There were many great hardware company's, from the east coast through the Midwest (Chicago) and to the west coast that sold firearms, ammunition and holsters. They are either gone or have morphed into other entities over the years and most of the modern versions of these companies want nothing to do with the arms business catering to the public. The small mom and pop businesses they supplied have gone by the wayside. I can remember those small mercantile stores in the South as late as the 1970's selling a great variety of items including guns and ammunition, but they are all but gone. They were put out of business for many reasons, like the Interstate system and the new giant stores like Wal-Mart.

Please excuse my rant. I had my .44, second model (non target) from 1926 out last night to apply another coat of ren wax and it made me feel a little nostalgic.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

The usual number given is 10%, but I would guess that would be high.

I would think that there where 1,700 or so 2nd model .44 Targets made.How many are still around Today is another story...

 

[Muley Gil]

At the turn of the century through the 1920's There were many great hardware company's, from the east coast through the Midwest (Chicago) and to the west coast that sold firearms, ammunition and holsters. They are either gone or have morphed into other entities over the years and most of the modern versions of these companies want nothing to do with the arms business catering to the public. The small mom and pop businesses they supplied have gone by the wayside. I can remember those small mercantile stores in the South as late as the 1970's selling a great variety of items including guns and ammunition, but they are all but gone. They were put out of business for many reasons, like the Interstate system and the new giant stores like Wal-Mart.

Please excuse my rant. I had my .44, second model (non target) from 1926 out last night to apply another coat of ren wax and it made me feel a little nostalgic.

Back in the 1970s, Forum member tennexplorer and I were students at Auburn University. About 15 miles west of campus was the mighty metropolis of Notasulga, Alabama. One of the few stores located there was Harris Hardware Store. They were a S&W distributor and sold their Smiths at listed price. This was back when the M29 listed for about $283 or so, but were being sold for $500-600.

We were both on the list to get one, but never got a M29 there.

Over in Opelika, Alabama there was another place called Story's Grocery. They started out selling the occassional M94 Winchester or pump action Remington shotgun. Later, they expanded to selling handguns, reloading equipment, holsters, knives and muzzleloaders.

Maybe if I had of stayed out of such places, my grades would have been higher.

 

[Old TexMex]

BEEN higher, Gil. Please, watch your sentence structure.

 

[model3sw]

.44 HE 2nd Target

I would think that there where 1,700 or so 2nd model .44 Targets made.How many are still around Today is another story...

Add one more to the list ...

# 34052, .44 HE 2nd Target, 6.5" bbl, blue (letter pending).

 

[Muley Gil]

BEEN higher, Gil. Please, watch your sentence structure.

Thanks. I try to proof read my posts, but don't always follow through.


My excuse is that I had a 104 degree fever last night. Took a handful of aspirin and I'm back to normal this AM.

 

[JayCeeNC]

I have a 2nd Model .44 HE Target, serial # 27473, shipped December, 1927.

 

[CAV]

Spent almost 10 years looking for one

Now I'm hoarding #25980

Hmmm, guess I'll have to find something else to look for.....

 

[Tom K]

As long as we're piling on, here's my 2nd Model Target .44, along with a fixed-sight sibling. The serial on the Target is 38849, shipped around 1929. I don't have a letter on either of these yet. Click on the pics for a larger version.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...-couple-2nd-model-he-44s-target-standard.html

Here are some holes I made with it.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...-range-session-octet-pre-war-target-s-ws.html

And here again, a different shooting session.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/381234-range-45-colts-44-specials.html

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

I have One of the later 2nd Model .44 Targets Serial #40252 with the Serrated front and rear Grip straps.It is in 98% condition and shipped on October 17th 1933 to Dr. Vernon C. Branham.He was the superintendent of the Elmira Reformatory(Prison) in Elmira,NY.It has a VERY interesting 3 Screw rear sight,The only One known on an N Frame.The later 2nd model Target's seem to be few and far between.

 

[Tom K]

I have One of the later 2nd Model .44 Targets Serial #40252 with the Serrated front and rear Grip straps.It is in 98% condition and shipped on October 17th 1933 to Dr. Vernon C. Branham.He was the superintendent of the Elmira Reformatory(Prison) in Elmira,NY.It has a VERY interesting 3 Screw rear sight,The only One known on an N Frame.The later 2nd model Target's seem to be few and far between.

C'mon Alex, you know better than that - pics or it didn't happen! (A link to an existing thread will do if you've already posted pics before....)

Add one more to the list ...

# 34052, .44 HE 2nd Target, 6.5" bbl, blue (letter pending).

I have a 2nd Model .44 HE Target, serial # 27473, shipped December, 1927.

Now I'm hoarding #25980

Hmmm, guess I'll have to find something else to look for.....

....And you guys, too! Get with the program.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

C'mon Alex, you know better than that - pics or it didn't happen! (A link to an existing thread will do if you've already posted pics before....)







....And you guys, too! Get with the program.

Will these do?

DSCN0238 by alex1961m, on Flickr

DSCN0239 by alex1961m, on Flickr

DSCN0235 by alex1961m, on Flickr

DSCN0224 by alex1961m, on Flickr

DSCN0222 by alex1961m, on Flickr

DSCN0227 by alex1961m, on Flickr

 

[CAV]

Target #25980 will get its own thread soon.

Shipped in August of 1926.

Clearly not a collector's piece. Someone thoughtlessly discarded the original factory stocks and put on a set of beater grips.

 

[Tom K]

Will these do?

Please pardon my drool. I always love to see you put everyone to shame with your high-condition goodies.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Shipped in August of 1926.

Clearly not a collector's piece. Someone thoughtlessly discarded the original factory stocks and put on a set of beater grips.

Don't sell yourself short,I would love to have that Gun in my Safe.

 

[bower]

I have a late one,44 H E,2nd model target,s/n 44824,shipped june 10,1935.I've written for a factory letter.I don't have a camera for pix.