Smith & Wesson target revolver - 82 years old

[Evil Texan]

Pre War Models

Mine is a pre-WWI. I have a 1916 edition of the .38 Special. Not as pretty, but it was found by my grandfather on a dirt road in the country around 1920. It sat in a garage for years after my grandfather died and was passed to my father and now is mine. Been reblued and has wear to the grips, but the rifling is in exceptional condition. I do not spend time on a range, but have a lot of practice courtesy of Uncle Sam. For me they represent functional industrial art and get cleaned regularly.

 

[Kinman]

Beautiful revolver, thank you for answering the question that folks may have about why are you interested in old guns. When compared with modern examples pictures speak louder than words.

 

[smithra_66]

No, this one is a safe queen - also treasured because it's one of two S&W revolvers I have that were born in the same year as myself. I just love to hold and look at these excellent examples of craftsmanship as mementos of a time whose images and relics are becoming much more rare today. They are now mostly gone with the wind.

John

Nice reference for 1939.

The greatest year in film history....pretty good year for guns too.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I came across this page from the 1939 S&W catalog. Quality was in flower in those days - the action is incredibly smooth and precise. Note the reference to the "ground and polished working parts." Such care in manufacture would never would happen today.

John

 

[paplinker]

I parted with a HBH equipt MP Target a year or so back and still miss that old girl. A forum member now has it and I see a pic from time to time.

I do have your MP 1939 counterpart

Shipped 9-21-1939

 

[ruger 22]

What a wonderful example of the gunmakers' art!!

 

[SS336]

I parted with a HBH equipt MP Target a year or so back and still miss that old girl. A forum member now has it and I see a pic from time to time.

I do have your MP 1939 counterpart

Shipped 9-21-1939

Those stocks are beautiful!. Who made them? Tell us the story behind them, please.

 

[bronco45]

To borrow a phrase" "A beauty to have and to hold".

 

[Keith Brown]

First off, that is one beautiful M&P Target, and having a birth year gun is always a special kick. M&P Targets are a favorite of mine, only have one with a humpback hammer.

The grips on paplinkers gun are original Ropers, and a rather unique set made with an integral trigger stop built into the left panel. Was not a particularly great idea but Walter Roper has to be credited with trying new things.

 

[Rodan]

Beautiful Target!

I'm glad someone bumped this, since I missed it the first time around. About a week after you posted it, I picked up a 4th Change Target myself. Mine shipped in February 1920, so it's just over the Century mark.

They just don't make them like this today.

I have shot mine, and I have to admit my 14-2 is a better shooter.

 

[paplinker]

First off, that is one beautiful M&P Target, and having a birth year gun is always a special kick. M&P Targets are a favorite of mine, only have one with a humpback hammer.

The grips on paplinkers gun are original Ropers, and a rather unique set made with an integral trigger stop built into the left panel. Was not a particularly great idea but Walter Roper has to be credited with trying new things.

Keith certainly is an authority!
Not to thread drift but here is the other side

I have two Sanderson sets that have this feature also

 

[OLDSTER]

Beautiful old revolver. The workmanship that is clearly evident in the stocks is amazing.

 

[glenncal1]

Here is mine in .32-20 probably a little older than the OP's, still shoots just fine.

 

[stu1ritter]

Mine dates 1919 about 1,000 guns after heat treating started. A whole different feel than my K38 Target Masterpiece and fun to shoot.

Stu