Smith & Wesson target revolver - 82 years old

[PALADIN85020]

Yeah, 82 years old - as antique as me, almost exactly. This M&P target was launched from the mother ship on June 7, 1939, complete with a humpback hammer and Magna stocks. I still marvel at the painstaking workmanship that went into these pre-war revolvers so long ago. A far cry from the techniques that characterize the modern guns!

Thought you might want to view this picture.

John


(click for larger picture)

 

[Golphin]

Beautiful revolver and thanks for sharing the picture. Amazing craftsmen here in the US back in the day. There are still a few but not the as many as long ago with the way most things are made these days.

 

[GerSan69]

That is a beauty! I'll bet both of you have many more years ahead!

 

[Marshal Tom]

That's beautiful. the old stuff is just so classy!

 

[Eddie Southgate]

That is Beautiful .

 

[DGNY]

Thank you for sharing that beautiful example of craftsmanship.

Of course it is more than that; it is inspired design perfected over, even then, 40+ years, great tooling, careful machining and metalwork. Beautiful finishing, high level inspection and quality control, excellent woodworking besides, careful packaging and often loving preservation in the hands of appreciative owners.

All this brings to us today the indelible artistry of a bygone era in American manufacturing that was a standard for the world.

 

[Beauetienne]

Great post!

 

[H Richard]

W O W, Super nice, and just a slight bit older than I am.

 

[SS336]

That is gorgeous.
I have to ask..have you shot it?
You know, just to see if it was as good as it looks.

 

[merl67]

Old guns, and guys rule! Beautiful target model thanks for sharing!

 

[.357magger]

And a humpback hammer to boot.

Very nice.

Thank you for sharing it.

 

[RKmesa]

John:

The M&P Target - one of the nicest profiles to ever roll off the factory floor. No surprise that it is still turning heads 80+ years later.

Thanks for sharing that beauty,

 

[GSP Fan]

They don't make them like they used to that's for sure. Beautiful Smith congratulations.

 

[PALADIN85020]

That is gorgeous.
I have to ask..have you shot it?
You know, just to see if it was as good as it looks.

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

 

[The Norseman]

On Target

As always, thank you for sharing and taking the time
for the picture.

 

[Waveski]

91 "Likes" , and no wonder.

There are always people who insist "guns are for shooting!!!"
You certainly qualify for special dispensation with that one. Quality and craftsmanship of a stunning standard.

 

[delcrossv]

Not often you find a new 85 year old gun.

Congrats, she's gorgeous!

 

[John in WYO]

Beautiful revolver!

I can sure use one of the those front sight blades if anyone has one in their spare parts box for sale…

Mine was chewed by an "angry beaver". ��

So, what did I buy?

 

[j38]

Thanks for reminding us of what a classy handgun looks like.

Jerry

 

[Joeallev972]

Beautiful old revolver,mine is a 33 and Grandpa left it to me. Still looking for OG grips for it but it's all there and pristine.

 

[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.