What do I have?

[Big guy]

I picked this up at an auction. I know it’s been poorly refurbished and the front sight is suspect. Also an attempt to was made to remove numbers and a new ATF number was added. What model and vintage am I looking at? Is a proper sight blade available?

 

[Big guy]

Also is the 466702 on the bottom of the barrel the SN?

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Well, you have a .38 Military & Police Target, Model 1905, 4th Change from somewhere in the 1922 to 1928 date range. The number under the barrel is not factory and may or may not reflect the actual original serial.

Push out the ejector star and read the serial on the back of the star. Then, look through the cylinder chambers to see the serial on the back of the yoke arm. Those probably are the original serials.

 

[Big guy]

Thanks, the number matches the star.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Then, that would make the manufacture date late 1923 or early 1924.

 

[JP@AK]

Guy gave you good information. I'll add that the stocks are not original. They come from the 1946-1952 period.

 

[Big guy]

Thanks for your help! Is the front sight correct? Is a correct blade available?

 

[1R90]

The front sight is not original, it would most likely look like this one :1905 front sight nice find!

 

[red9]

The 1920's was a period of front sight transition, plus many special order options. If the rear sight has a square-cut notch, the front sight was probably like the above image. If the notch has a round bottom, it was probably like this:

 

[glowe]

The Paine sight above is mostly found on early K frame target guns. The Patridge sight is the most common front sight used after 1920. These blades have become very hard to find, since collectors have scooped up most of them as soon as they hit the market. I do not know of any place where reproductions are made. Place an ad in our Want to Buy section and you should get some replies.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

I believe the sight in post #9 is a "tall thin blade" not a Paine. Irrespective of that, I see no purpose in replacing the front sight. It is easier than an original to see and it fits in with the character of the gun.

 

[glowe]

You are right Guy, there is no top bead, so it only has whatever generic name you want to call it. They were standard order from 1905 to 1923 according to Neal and he calls that one a Thin Round Top Blade.