The Smith & Wesson Single Shot Target 1891 pistols

(1st & 2nd  model)

In 1891, the firm Smith & Wesson had in its catalogue a 5-shot revolver in 38 caliber working in single action. This weapon is the last of the S&W “Single Action” line. Although robust and reliable, this small revolver suffers from this characteristic which was already outdated at the time.

In order to sell the stock, the firm S&W embarked on a bold and original approach consisting in declining its revolver as a Single Shot Target pistol, producing adaptable single-shot barrels in calibres 38, 32 and mainly 22 LR. In addition to the potential interest of renewing the demand for carcasses for its 38 SA revolver, this approach positions S&W in the market for precision shotguns by competing directly on the US market with the previously dominant firms Stevens and, to a lesser extent, Remington. The following photo shows typical models of these brands that are still distributed in the early 20th century.

The actual commercialization did not begin until 1893. The system is presented as a “kit” in which the owner can adapt the different parts according to the intended use of the weapon. Below a very rare and superb set in box:

Many variants are available: Standard or Target grip (extended to facilitate grip), various aiming devices (front and back sights), barrels of different lengths (10, 8 or 6 inches, the latter being by far the rarest) and of several calibres (38, 32 and 22LR), bronzed or nickel-plated finishes, the latter being less common.

The first model retains the features that allow it to be converted into a revolver, namely the shields and the cylinder locking devices.

The ejection is carried out by breaking the barrel, like the revolver, as shown in the next photo, where the cylinder shield is clearly visible.

Target handles are available either in grid walnut, with or without S&W gold monogram, or in synthetic material.

The barrel stripe bears either the patent markings, with the words “Model of 91”, or simply the manufacturer’s name.

Other typical markings consist of the S&W logo on the carcass and the calibre indication on the barrel block.

In the case of weapons directly designed for Single Shot Target pistol adaptation, the serial number is marked on the front of the grip to remain visible with Target-type grips, while it is located on the heel of the handle for revolvers.

Distributed from 1893 to 1905, the production figures of the first model are not known with precision. According to the sources, the range is between 1250 and 1500 units, with serial numbers ranging from 1 to 28 107. Indeed, the numbering of the Single Shot Target is not different from that of the revolvers themselves.

Beginning in 1905, S&W changed its approach to abandoning the concept of a modular weapon. The new Second Model Single Shot Target pistols are no longer convertible into revolvers. In fact, S&W removed from the carcass of Model 1891 the components needed for this conversion, namely the shields, the elevator and the cylinder stop. The new pistols are immediately recognizable by the presence of gutters instead of cylinder shields. Nevertheless, the barrels of the two generations remain perfectly interchangeable, and it is common to find second models mounted with a barrel bearing the designation “Model of 91”.

The 2nd model was produced from 1905 to 1909 with a little more than 4600 units, the last known serial number being 4617, almost all of them being designed for the calibre 22LR to equip the sport shooters.

In 1909, when the stock of the 1891 single-action gun was exhausted, S&W relaunched its concept with the Single Shot Target 3rd model, which was built from the carcass of the new double-action revolver, the “Perfected Model”. As with the 2nd type, the conversion of the Single Shot pistol into a revolver was impossible. Moreover, there is no longer any compatibility of the parts of this pistol with the first and second types described above. Produced almost 7,000 units, the third model is easily identifiable by its larger dimensions and the bridge is mass-machined rather than screwed as in the two previous models. It should be noted that, amusingly, this pistol is originally equipped with the dual action, a feature of doubtful interest for a gun with one shot...

This model completes the line of precision pistols designed from revolver carcasses. It should be noted, however, that from 1925 S&W produced a new 22LR Single Shot pistol, called the “Straight Line”, which would look like a semi-automatic pistol rather than a revolver like its predecessors.

Many trophies have marked the career of the S&W Single Shot Target, including the USA Shooting Team in the 1910s.

Even today, the sport shooter can achieve remarkable scores with this line of pistols, after however having become acclimatized to the aiming organs of another era and to an unusual lightness compared to modern firearms (between 700 and 800 grams depending on the model and the length of the barrel).

For more information:

These pistols are succinctly described in many Smith & Wesson books, such as Jim Supica and Richard Nahas' Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson.

Jean-Christophe Plaquevent