ID an old M&P ? Part 2

[CWW]

Thanks to those of you identifying my S&W M&P 1908 HE circa 1928. The next questions have to do with the rear sight, mine is fixed but there is a groove cut just in front to accomadate a removable rear sight, is this common or is this maybe a target gun?
Also I am curious about what the stamping on the butt frame might signify. Left side has a W and a 4. The other side has 5 B 1 0 J. Is this something I would have to find out by a factory letter?

 

[Old Fuff]

The next questions have to do with the rear sight, mine is fixed but there is a groove cut just in front to accomadate a removable rear sight, is this common or is this maybe a target gun?

It would be difficult to say for sure without a picture. But target revolvers made during that time period usually had 6" barrels, and the front sight was a seperate blade that was pinned into the original base on the barrel. The original blade was milled off and the base slotted for a new higher one. It was not unusual for an owner to have a gunsmith install a rear sight of their own making.

Also I am curious about what the stamping on the butt frame might signify. Left side has a W and a 4. The other side has 5 B 1 0 J. Is this something I would have to find out by a factory letter?

These are marks that were left by various inspectors as the revolver was manufactured. Each inspector had a stamp with a particular letter or number, and they stamped the gun when it passed each inspection.

 

[CWW]

Thank you, much appreciated.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Here's what a S&W Model 1905 Hand Ejector Target model of 1920s vintage looks like:



It has a 6" barrel and the front sight is a McGivern bead. The rear sight is windage and elevation adjustable, but not micro-click.

This thing is scary accurate even with cheap WWB 150 grain LRN.