[Michael Stern]

In the background, an Official Police King Supertarget with Roper grips and double cockeye hammer; in the foreground, an Officers Model King Supertarget with left offset cockeye hammer and grips made by ???. Both are .38 specials.

Here's the barrel on the Officers Model:

 

[shortcut]

To me, Roper grips look more "right" on old Colts than Smith & Wessons. Both are very beautiful guns.

 

[Michael Stern]

I think King's vent rib looks especially right on old Colts ... but that's probably because I know they are ancestors of this:

 

[kennedy]

never heard of the kings, what is the story behind them?

 

[shortcut]

How are the King's vent ribs attached to the gun? Are they floating and attached to the front & rear sight points & removeable? The close-up photo of it looks as if it's been soldered on, but that wouldn't seem secure, plus damageing the finish.

 

[Michael Stern]

Kennedy: King Gun Sight Co. was one of the top places to get custom sights, action jobs, grips, etc. for handguns (also rifles) into, I believe, the 1950s. Their "Super Target" conversions, as on these two guns, included the vented barrel rib and often a "cockeyed hammer" with a very grippy knurled surface and an offset to the left (for righties) or on the right (for lefties) or on both sides to make single-action cocking faster and surer. I don't remember the details, but I believe there is a complete story about King Gun Sight Co. in the 2004 Shooter's Bible. And yes, Shortcut, the ribs are not removable; and if you did remove one, I imagine it would leave an ugly barrel indeed. These guns are not for the collector looking for factory-original condition.