Make: Smith & Wesson

Model: Third Model Single Shot, Perfected Model

Serial Number: 10130

Year of Manufacture: 1909-1923

Caliber: .22 LR, "Olympic Chamber"

Action Type: Single Shot Top Break Pistol

Barrel Length: 10"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned to the rib. The rear sight is a square notch mounted to the barrel latch, adjustable for windage.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut extension grips with smooth diamonds. The serial number is hand-written on the inside of the right panel in pencil. The grips have light handling wear with some scattered nicks and small scratches, mostly toward the bottom. The left panel has a couple of more notable dings at the bottom edge. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original, numbers match on the frame, barrel and latch.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is a little stubborn fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8+ out of 10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 95% of its metal finish. The finish is lightly thinning at most edges. There are some scattered tiny nicks, thin scratches and minor scuffing. There are a few compression marks on the top of the rib. There are tool marks around the sideplate screws. The action shows minor operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, the pistol is in about Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a wood display case, cleaning rod, brush, mop and grooved alloy-handled screwdriver.

Our Assessment: Beginning with the Model of 1891, their first single-shot pistol, Smith & Wesson gained a reputation for making one of the finest target pistols available in the world. The first three models bore a resemblance to Smith & Wesson’s revolver offerings and the last one having the appearance of an autoloader. The 1st Model even retained the full recoil shield of the .38 Single Action 3rd Model revolver. Features would be further refined until the resemblance with a revolver was totally gone and we were left with the ultimate model, the Straight Line Target.

This example is a Third Model and has a 10" barrel and walnut extension grips. The Third Model frame has a strong resemblance to the hand ejectors of the time and has an integral trigger guard in contrast to its predecessors. The clockwork is similar also, and the pistol can even fire in double action...a feature of questionable utility for a single shot target pistol, but interesting nonetheless. This pistol features an ‘Olympic Chamber’, in that the the bullet must be firmly seated by hand in order for the action to close. Having the heel of the bullet engaged with the rifling when it is fired was thought to improve accuracy. These pistols, with their distinctive looks and limited production, are quite desirable among Smith & Wesson collectors. Please see our photos and good luck!