New Service Target

Very nice gun Dale. It is nice to see the .455 with adjustable sights since most went to England for target matches and had the fixed sights. The name is not factory marked so it was most likely done once purchased. What year was the gun made?

 

Cam,

I noticed the rework mark on the right rear trigger guard. Do you think it's related to the "676B" stamp on the frame?

Buck

 

Buck. I am not sure. I noticed it as well and was going to try to do some research.

 

Hi guys you just came up with alot of more questions, I took the grips off and there was no serial# penciled on the back as most S&W revolver grips are, is this normal? The gun is serial# 114760, making it around 1917 production I guess? Does the star mark mean a return to factory? I noticed it but thought it was just another regular Colt proof mark? And if anyone can figure out the frame numbers followed by the letter B (676B)please let me in on the secret I forgot to take pictures of the HEATHMACHIN&CO WALSALL 1918 marked, but will in the future!
I have seen another colt DA with similiar engraving of the owners name, could this have been done at a later date? than engraved later by Colt?
It seems more questions than awnsers right now, but its here on this forum I will likely get my best information, will be sending for a letter in August as it is to intriging a mystery to let lye. It was thanks to a good gunsmith friend who generously let me buy this piece of quality metal and wood art that is the Colt New Service Target! Keep me posted and I will do the same, thanks Dale in Canada, PS where can I get a new front sight screw for this ?

 

Here is a link to some information on Heath Machin & Co.

http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/wiki/Heath,_Machin_and_Co

 

You can probably obtain the screw for the front sight from Numrich Arms Co. Here is a link to their web site.

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/

 

The front sight is a patridge post and that would go with a square rear site. The bead front sight would go with a "U" shaped rear sight. You can do an internet search on the name engraved on the gun. This gun also deserves a factory letter.

If it were myself, I would have an order place for at least 3 boxes of ammo or brass cases, some dies and components. Then I would be off to the range and run it through its paces at both 25 and 50 yards. Factory .455 is a mild round out of such a big gun.

 

The front sight is a patridge post and that would go with a square rear site. The bead front sight would go with a "U" shaped rear sight. You can do an internet search on the name engraved on the gun. This gun also deserves a factory letter.

If it were myself, I would have an order place for at least 3 boxes of ammo or brass cases, some dies and components. Then I would be off to the range and run it through its paces at both 25 and 50 yards. Factory .455 is a mild round out of such a big gun.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I already have brass, dies , but need to order a mold, but for now I am boring my friends mold! I really don't want to shoot it till I get a front sight screw as I am afraid the sight parts may go flying if I shoot it without that screw!! And don't worry about it I will be plinking alll winter long with this gun as I have a hundred pounds of lead that are waiting to be made into bullets for the gun, Dale in Canada

 

Like I told you in your other thread about this gun, I believe this Shotwell guy is the same guy that this 1939 article refers to (see link below). His writings in this link were presented at the Society of Chemical Industry in Ottawa in 1938. If he's an authority on underground explosions in 1939 maybe he worked at mines in his early years. Or maybe he did a stint as a mine guard like you mentioned before. And maybe this is the gun he carried. And how many guys were hanging around Canada in the same time period with the initials J.S.G. and the last name Shotwell?
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/114234612/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0

 

Thanks alot for the link as it would not allow me to open it up on my computer, appreciated Wyatt, Dale in Canada
On another note I took the grips off the gun and found another mark it is an capital english style (E) on the left rear side grip close to the backstrap, it is also the same size as the 676B mark, any ideas what this means? later Dale in Canada

 

OK, I'm going to take a shot at what these various markings, supposedly "rework markings", mean. I went back through previous postings on rework marks, and I found one post that exactly correlated a Colt refinish with a mark. Lonewolf has a Colt Bisley for which he has the original paperwork for the refinish which was done in May, 1964. The gun is marked "645B" on the frame and has an ampersand on the trigger guard bow (not sure which side). The implication is that the first two digits are the year, and the last (or last two) are the month. "B" or "N" is the finish.

Most of the "xyz" marks that I found would make sense under this interpretation. Rework stamps include the ampersand and 6-pointed star, usually, but not always, on the right rear trigger guard bow.

Still, the answer is not clear cut. I also found a Colt Frontier Sixshooter in .44-40 that had a star on the right rear trigger guard and a "1225B" frame marking. That suggests a re-blue in December, 1925. So, like all things Colt, there can be many ways of doing things.

So, zywina's NS Target was refinished in June, 1967 or June, 1976, depending on which theory you believe, if either. I think Colt did refinish the gun, although we probably should consider it a restoration knowing the exacting process (re-marking, etc.) that Colt practiced.


Buck

 

Good job Buck. I was leaning toward a re-finish but didn't want to offend anyone. Your explanation certainly makes sense.

 

Still, the answer is not clear cut. I also found a Colt Frontier Sixshooter in .44-40 that had a star on the right rear trigger guard and a "1225B" frame marking. That suggests a re-blue in December, 1925. So, like all things Colt, there can be many ways of doing things.

Buck,

Could 645B suggest June 1945?

Tim

 

It could, Tim, but in this specific case, Bud (lonewolf) has the Colt paperwork from when it was refinished, and that was May, 1964. Hence, the implication that "645" is a year-month format. But, in at least in one other case, it was month-year.

The problem is not enough data. I suspect that most people have been unaware of these marks and their meaning. If more Forum members would report instances from their collections, we might be able to get closer to the truth.


Buck

 

Guys excellent thought and observation about the 676B mark, very interesting theories, that make sence, but what does the B stand for then? and how about a the large "E" in english style stamped on the same side back by the backstrap? this for sure is no random part assembly marking! I wish the pictures showed the deep glass like finish that this gun has, if it was redone it was done by Colt for sure as it matches my Colt Officers 38S&W 2nd model target from 1919,did Colt still have the same polishers and bluing formulas in 1967 that they had in 1900-1920 period? It seems more questions than awnsers for now! Guys the bluing is for sure correct for the period wether Colt had redone it in 67, I will ask my friend to take more pictures showing off the depth and glass like finish of this fine revolver. I only paid 1/5 of current US market price in Canadian funds, so I got an extreamly well built revover for peanuts, but it was more a gift from the owner for my help and friendship. I will never part with this gun, it will be willed to my Nephew along with the S&W REG MAG, so the value really is not important, its the history that intrigues me of where its been ,why did the fellow buy it and from where? what roads and adventures has it traveled, who exactly is JSG Shotwell, and what mine did this gun gaurd or what person worked for the mine? All a big mystery to be solved! ITS THE BEST PART OF COLLECTING AND SHOOTING vintage guns, thanks again Dale in Canada