Many many years ago, S&WCA member Joe Miller made available his files of surviving target revolvers. This was a study that he had been working on for 40+ years, He invited S&WCA members to participate in the study by submitting data on revolvers that were not already in his files.
I, probably among others, contributed a lot of early .38 K-frame target, from my own collection, and also from auction catalogs. No names are included in this study; only serial numbers, barrel length, finish, butt configuration, and sometimes estimates of finish. Shipping information was optional, but desirable.
In the years since the formation of the S&W forum, I have continued updating the files for 1899's, 1902's, and early 1905's, all from serial number 1 to serial number 62450. The purpose of this study has been to try to establish an estimate of how many .38 targets, in the range of 1 to 62450, have survived to this day. This information helps me in thinking about the relative scarcity of target revolvers being offered for sale, in any venue. They must all be survivors, to be for sale now.
The study data is the next part of this posting. If anyone owns .38 targets in the range of 1 to 62450, please review the list, and contribute the data to the study, either by a post to this thread, or send it to me via pm or email.
Regards, Mike Priwer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last Up Date 5:23pm Sep 3, 2022
* SURVIVAL RATE OF THE 38 CALIBER K FRAME HAND EJECTOR TARGET *
* A 40 + YEAR CONTINUING STUDY *
These numbers have been compiled from Dealer ads, Gun Shows, Auctions,
Books, and Members over a 35 + year time period. If anyone can add to the
file please send your info to my e mail address and I'll include it in the
"Survival File". No owners names will be used.
NOTE: All serial numbers verses YEAR are approximate and subject to change.
My Thanks to all that can contribute more numbers to the file. Joe Miller
* 1899 38 HAND EJECTOR TARGET # 1 TO 20975 - 1899 TO 1902 *
SERIAL # YEAR COND. COMMENTS
43
038 1901 98% 6.5" Nickel 1/7/1901 D B Wesson, after Paris Ex
1404 1899 95 % 6" NICKEL HR GRIPS SHIPPED 8/17/99 - now checkered walnut
1903 1899 ?? % 8" nickel NEAL & JINKS BOOK
1907 ref 4.5" blue
1921 1899 ?? % 6.5" BLUE HARD RUBBER GRIPS SHIPPED 11/9/99
1923 1899 25% 6.5" Blue checkered walnut grips
1949 1900 95 % 4" NICKEL PEARL GRIPS IN BOX SHIPPED 9/26/00
3555 1900 95 % 8" BLUE OWNED BY R.H. SAYRE 1908 - 1920 OLYMPICS 6/28/00
014 1906 6.5" blue to DB Wesson 7/18/1999 --- 1/26/1906 to Charlie Call as 8"
3695 5" blue
3865 1901 98 % 6" BLUE HR grips SHIPPED 9/5/01 - now checkered walnut grips
3895 1901 ?? % 6.5" BLUE
6181 1900 5" bl shipped1/24/1900 Phil Bekeart Co SF
6185 1900 5" Blue shipped 1/24/1900 Phil Bekeart Co SF
6203 5" Blue
6215 6.5" Bluee
7492 Ref: E K Eade, gunsmith Evanston Ill letter 3/9/1939
7583 6.5" bl - broken pull-down rear sight leaf
7665* 1901 ref 6.5" BLUE NOW HAS 6" RE-PLACED BARREL
10114 ref 2.5" Blue
10471 1901 95 % 5" NICKEL HR grips SHIPPED 6/14/01 - now checkered walnut grips
11236 1901 6 1/2" Nickel 3/18/1901 RJ RUMMEL Arms, Toledo, OH
12107 6.5" Blue
12077 1901 ?? % 6.5" BLUE SHIPPED 4/6/01
12515 6.5" Blue
14463 ref 3" blue
14797 6.5" blue
14798 190x 6.5" ???? BARREL WELDED TO FRAME
14800 6" blue
14810 190x 90 % 4" BLUE WITH HR grips - now birds-eye maple
14820 6" blue
17085 190x 80 % 6" BLUE
17452 190 x 90 % 6.5" BLUE
17477 95% 6.5" blue - 2021 -now in Canada
17479 ref 6.5" blue
19593 6.5" blue
19595 190x 90 % 6.5" BLUE
20706 1902 ref 6" BLUE SHIPPED 3/4/02
20750 1902 ref 6" BLUE 38 SPL.
20802 1902 90 % 6.5" BLUE FAC. ENG. BY O. YOUNG WITH MED. PEARL G.
20850 1902 90 % 6.5" BLUE 5/2/1902 VL&A
20875 1902 ref 5" blue 6/14/02 now 3.5" blue
20880 6" blue 2/21/1902 Von Lengerke & Antonie
* 1902 38 HAND EJECTOR TARGET # 20976 TO 33804 - 1902 T0 1903 *
SERIAL # YEAR COND. COMMENTS
13
021460 6.5" ** M&P, shipped to Ira Paine **
21882 1902 6" BLUE HR GRIPS SHIPPED 10/3/02 Fred Schen Princeton MT
21894 1903 90 % 6.5" BLUE HARD RUBBER GRIPS SHIPPED 1/10/03
21898 1903 90 % 6.5" BLUE HR grips SHIPPED 8/8/1902 - now smooth walnut
26440 1903 ?? % 4" BLUE HARD RUBBER GRIPS DUPLICATE SERIAL NUMBER
26515 90% 4" nickel
26521 90% 4" nickel 5/7/1903 Marcus Hartley Co NY
30359 5" blue Pearl GM stocks
30379 1903 6.5" BLUE E.E. PATRIDGE GUN
30479 1902 6.5" blue 8/15/1903 V L & A Chicago
30489 8 3/8" Pope marked barrel
30495 6,5" blue = barrel now 6.5" sn 30880
31817 190x 85 % 6.5" BLUE
* 1902 1st change (round-butt) 38 HE Targets - 33804 to 62450 *
SERIAL # YEAR COND. COMMENTS
14
37577 1904 90% 6.5" Bl Nickel engr cylinder 2/14/04 W Read Bostonue
38737 90% 6.5" Blue
38959 ref 6" BLUE Amoskeag(49) #1124 6.12 stamped on gripstraps
44288 4"
44302 70% 6.5" blue shipped Aug 12 1904 to a distributor in Texas
44465 1904 ?? % 6.5" NICKEL SHIPPED 12/22/04
45225 90% 4" Bl 6/18/04 Rawlings Sprt goods StLouis
50911 1905 ref 5" BLUE HARD RUBBER GRIPS SHIPPED 2/23/05 H S & B Chicago
61414 4" nickel MOP grips forged front sight
61516 6.5" BLUE HARD RUBBER GRIPS SHIPPED 5/8/06
61893 90% 5" blue 7/11/1905 H S B Chicago concave walnut stocks
62099 6.5" BLUE H. RUBBER GRIPS SHIPPED 3/06 TO BEKEART
62108 6.5" blue shipped 4/1905
62356 6.5" blue
* 1905 (1st change) 38 Target 58000 - 62450 w/ sq butt - otherwise identical to 1902 1st change *
SERIAL # YEAR COND. COMMENTS
16
51762 1905 60 % 6.5" BLUE
59673 1905 ?? % 5" BLUE SPECIAL ORDER SHIPPED 9/5/06 WR Bonsal VA
59779 5" blue
59824 90% 6.5" blue
59876 1906 80% 6.5" Bl 3/9/1906 Individual Chicago
60041 1905 ?? % 6.5" BLUE SQUARE BUTT SHIPPED 6/26/06
60792 1905 ?? % 6.5" BLUE
60866 1905 ?? % 6.5" BLUE
61319 1905 60 % 6.5" BLUE
61442 80% 4" B & N pinto - was 6.5" Bl w/cracked forcing cone
61970 1905 98 % 6.5" BLUE
62015 1906 90% 6.5" Bl 1/8/06 JA Johnston Co Pittsburgh
62091 6.5" blue
62222 1905 99 % 6.5" BLUE SQUARE BUTT IN BOX SHIPPED 5/1/05
62253 1905 95 % 6.5" BLUE SQUARE BUTT SHIPPED 9/24/1906
62375 1905 99 % 6.5" BLUE SQUARE BUTT WOOD GRIPS
I, probably among others, contributed a lot of early .38 K-frame target, from my own collection, and also from auction catalogs. No names are included in this study; only serial numbers, barrel length, finish, butt configuration, and sometimes estimates of finish. Shipping information was optional, but desirable.
In the years since the formation of the S&W forum, I have continued updating the files for 1899's, 1902's, and early 1905's, all from serial number 1 to serial number 62450. The purpose of this study has been to try to establish an estimate of how many .38 targets, in the range of 1 to 62450, have survived to this day. This information helps me in thinking about the relative scarcity of target revolvers being offered for sale, in any venue. They must all be survivors, to be for sale now.
The study data is the next part of this posting. If anyone owns .38 targets in the range of 1 to 62450, please review the list, and contribute the data to the study, either by a post to this thread, or send it to me via pm or email.
Regards, Mike Priwer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last Up Date 5:23pm Sep 3, 2022
* SURVIVAL RATE OF THE 38 CALIBER K FRAME HAND EJECTOR TARGET *
* A 40 + YEAR CONTINUING STUDY *
These numbers have been compiled from Dealer ads, Gun Shows, Auctions,
Books, and Members over a 35 + year time period. If anyone can add to the
file please send your info to my e mail address and I'll include it in the
"Survival File". No owners names will be used.
NOTE: All serial numbers verses YEAR are approximate and subject to change.
My Thanks to all that can contribute more numbers to the file. Joe Miller
* 1899 38 HAND EJECTOR TARGET # 1 TO 20975 - 1899 TO 1902 *
SERIAL # YEAR COND. COMMENTS
43
038 1901 98% 6.5" Nickel 1/7/1901 D B Wesson, after Paris Ex
1404 1899 95 % 6" NICKEL HR GRIPS SHIPPED 8/17/99 - now checkered walnut
1903 1899 ?? % 8" nickel NEAL & JINKS BOOK
1907 ref 4.5" blue
1921 1899 ?? % 6.5" BLUE HARD RUBBER GRIPS SHIPPED 11/9/99
1923 1899 25% 6.5" Blue checkered walnut grips
1949 1900 95 % 4" NICKEL PEARL GRIPS IN BOX SHIPPED 9/26/00
3555 1900 95 % 8" BLUE OWNED BY R.H. SAYRE 1908 - 1920 OLYMPICS 6/28/00
014 1906 6.5" blue to DB Wesson 7/18/1999 --- 1/26/1906 to Charlie Call as 8"
3695 5" blue
3865 1901 98 % 6" BLUE HR grips SHIPPED 9/5/01 - now checkered walnut grips
3895 1901 ?? % 6.5" BLUE
6181 1900 5" bl shipped1/24/1900 Phil Bekeart Co SF
6185 1900 5" Blue shipped 1/24/1900 Phil Bekeart Co SF
6203 5" Blue
6215 6.5" Bluee
7492 Ref: E K Eade, gunsmith Evanston Ill letter 3/9/1939
7583 6.5" bl - broken pull-down rear sight leaf
7665* 1901 ref 6.5" BLUE NOW HAS 6" RE-PLACED BARREL
10114 ref 2.5" Blue
10471 1901 95 % 5" NICKEL HR grips SHIPPED 6/14/01 - now checkered walnut grips
11236 1901 6 1/2" Nickel 3/18/1901 RJ RUMMEL Arms, Toledo, OH
12107 6.5" Blue
12077 1901 ?? % 6.5" BLUE SHIPPED 4/6/01
12515 6.5" Blue
14463 ref 3" blue
14797 6.5" blue
14798 190x 6.5" ???? BARREL WELDED TO FRAME
14800 6" blue
14810 190x 90 % 4" BLUE WITH HR grips - now birds-eye maple
14820 6" blue
17085 190x 80 % 6" BLUE
17452 190 x 90 % 6.5" BLUE
17477 95% 6.5" blue - 2021 -now in Canada
17479 ref 6.5" blue
19593 6.5" blue
19595 190x 90 % 6.5" BLUE
20706 1902 ref 6" BLUE SHIPPED 3/4/02
20750 1902 ref 6" BLUE 38 SPL.
20802 1902 90 % 6.5" BLUE FAC. ENG. BY O. YOUNG WITH MED. PEARL G.
20850 1902 90 % 6.5" BLUE 5/2/1902 VL&A
20875 1902 ref 5" blue 6/14/02 now 3.5" blue
20880 6" blue 2/21/1902 Von Lengerke & Antonie
* 1902 38 HAND EJECTOR TARGET # 20976 TO 33804 - 1902 T0 1903 *
SERIAL # YEAR COND. COMMENTS
13
021460 6.5" ** M&P, shipped to Ira Paine **
21882 1902 6" BLUE HR GRIPS SHIPPED 10/3/02 Fred Schen Princeton MT
21894 1903 90 % 6.5" BLUE HARD RUBBER GRIPS SHIPPED 1/10/03
21898 1903 90 % 6.5" BLUE HR grips SHIPPED 8/8/1902 - now smooth walnut
26440 1903 ?? % 4" BLUE HARD RUBBER GRIPS DUPLICATE SERIAL NUMBER
26515 90% 4" nickel
26521 90% 4" nickel 5/7/1903 Marcus Hartley Co NY
30359 5" blue Pearl GM stocks
30379 1903 6.5" BLUE E.E. PATRIDGE GUN
30479 1902 6.5" blue 8/15/1903 V L & A Chicago
30489 8 3/8" Pope marked barrel
30495 6,5" blue = barrel now 6.5" sn 30880
31817 190x 85 % 6.5" BLUE
* 1902 1st change (round-butt) 38 HE Targets - 33804 to 62450 *
SERIAL # YEAR COND. COMMENTS
14
37577 1904 90% 6.5" Bl Nickel engr cylinder 2/14/04 W Read Bostonue
38737 90% 6.5" Blue
38959 ref 6" BLUE Amoskeag(49) #1124 6.12 stamped on gripstraps
44288 4"
44302 70% 6.5" blue shipped Aug 12 1904 to a distributor in Texas
44465 1904 ?? % 6.5" NICKEL SHIPPED 12/22/04
45225 90% 4" Bl 6/18/04 Rawlings Sprt goods StLouis
50911 1905 ref 5" BLUE HARD RUBBER GRIPS SHIPPED 2/23/05 H S & B Chicago
61414 4" nickel MOP grips forged front sight
61516 6.5" BLUE HARD RUBBER GRIPS SHIPPED 5/8/06
61893 90% 5" blue 7/11/1905 H S B Chicago concave walnut stocks
62099 6.5" BLUE H. RUBBER GRIPS SHIPPED 3/06 TO BEKEART
62108 6.5" blue shipped 4/1905
62356 6.5" blue
* 1905 (1st change) 38 Target 58000 - 62450 w/ sq butt - otherwise identical to 1902 1st change *
SERIAL # YEAR COND. COMMENTS
16
51762 1905 60 % 6.5" BLUE
59673 1905 ?? % 5" BLUE SPECIAL ORDER SHIPPED 9/5/06 WR Bonsal VA
59779 5" blue
59824 90% 6.5" blue
59876 1906 80% 6.5" Bl 3/9/1906 Individual Chicago
60041 1905 ?? % 6.5" BLUE SQUARE BUTT SHIPPED 6/26/06
60792 1905 ?? % 6.5" BLUE
60866 1905 ?? % 6.5" BLUE
61319 1905 60 % 6.5" BLUE
61442 80% 4" B & N pinto - was 6.5" Bl w/cracked forcing cone
61970 1905 98 % 6.5" BLUE
62015 1906 90% 6.5" Bl 1/8/06 JA Johnston Co Pittsburgh
62091 6.5" blue
62222 1905 99 % 6.5" BLUE SQUARE BUTT IN BOX SHIPPED 5/1/05
62253 1905 95 % 6.5" BLUE SQUARE BUTT SHIPPED 9/24/1906
62375 1905 99 % 6.5" BLUE SQUARE BUTT WOOD GRIPS
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