King + Roper + Sanderson = Bullseye

9629 Views 10 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Frank V, Feb 16, 2009

Michael Stern

Discussion Starter · Feb 13, 2009

As a guy who cut his shooting teeth at three-gun bullseye matches, I have a soft spot for revolvers set up for slow-timed-rapid fire. These two old Colts must've punched a lot of holes in the X ring, but they are still ultra-crisp. The King conversion (in the background) with its almost unbelievably short action -- but consistent ignition -- is on an earlier Officer's Model. The heavy-barrel gun in the foreground has Walter Roper front and rear sights and modified hammer and trigger. Both, of course, wear Sanderson grips.

Roper rear sight as pictured on p. 55 of Experiments of a Handgunner:

Roper "self-locking micrometer front sight" as pictured on p. 179 of Pistol and Revolver Shooting:

Modified hammer and trigger (Roper work? I don't know)

See less See more

Save

1 - 11 of 11 Posts

carl418_resigned

· #2 · Feb 13, 2009

Excellent first post, Michael! Thanks for sharing those wonderful pics.. Very interesting!

Welcome to the forum, too!

Save

Ralph G

· #3 · Feb 13, 2009

Great Guns Michael !!

Welcome as well !!

Save

DHENRY

· #4 · Feb 13, 2009

Hello and welcome to the forum, Michael.
A fine and detailed post, just loaded with interesting facts and photographs.
My favorite bullseye gun is a 1936 Colt OM Heavy Barrel fitted with vintage Sanderson target stocks.
The style, wood and checkering is typical of older Sandersons, and very much like those you showed.
Perhaps you can shed some light on something for us...
On another site there is currently a 'Sanderson grips' thread featuring much newer grips and much fancier wood. There is one of Don Sanderson's business cards shown, including a ZIP Code, so it's post-1964 stuff.
Perhaps a relative took over the business and 'improved' the styles and woods available?
:?:
Don

Save

Bob K

· #5 · Feb 14, 2009

Micheal, It's about time you showed up!!!!

I have enjoyed your posts, pictures of your collection, and insight into the "hobby" of gun collecting, from years back on the old S&W Forum. You just sorta drop outta sight, for awhile there. Welcome! I look forward to enjoying your posts.

Bob

Save

· #6 · Feb 14, 2009

That screw on the front sight is the neatest thing I have seen in a long time. Definitley strikes my fancy. Way cool.

Save

Michael Stern

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 14, 2009

DHENRY said:
Perhaps a relative took over the business and 'improved' the styles and woods available?
:?:
Don

I know next to nothing about Lew Sanderson, but I have read that his son Don took over the business and continued making grips into the early 1970s. In my very limited experience, the later grips do tend to sport nicer wood.

As handsome and practical as they are, Sandersons don't ring my chimes as much as really good Ropers:

See less See more

Save

xtimberman

· #8 · Feb 14, 2009

Those really are good examples of Ropers! What's that ringing I hear?

xtm

Save

Michael Stern

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 14, 2009

xtimberman said:
Those really are good examples of Ropers! What's that ringing I hear?

xtm

It's the sound of me hitting myself in the head with a hammer for having found those grips , then trading them away as part of my "catch and release" collecting philosophy.

Save