Quite a bit of "new" old Smith & Wessons have been coming in. They're all fairly common items, for their day. But after 25-95 years, their new or near-new condition makes them exceptional.
The S&W Target Masterpiece is still available in their limited-production "classic" series, along with their modern counterparts in stainless steel. Still, little corners are cut to keep the price down, as fine a target .22 as it is.
This Model 17 was made in 1977, not exactly the high point of Smith's corporate culture. Still, except for the most plain "fancy" grips I ever saw, this is the first weapon that flat out declared it was female. I remembered the old horseman's saying, "you command a gelding, ask a stallion, but must negotiate with a mare". Especially one of noble descent, as she most plainly indicated. For her debut on the range, I found some much fancier grips than the plain hunk of wood she was forced to wear from the factory.
After ordering her something more appropriate, and formal, she rewarded me with this first shot:
Of course, the other 49 rounds (I used match-grade ammo, no cheap McBullets for her) was her way of showing me that she's all ready for upper-level dressage, so it's up to me to bust my own butt to be worthy of her talents. At least she knows she'll be pampered outside the dressage area.
Now if I could just coax her to tell me her name, or a suitable nickname. :)