POTD: Straight To The Ground – S&W Straight Line Single Shot Pistol
Sam.S 12.13.22
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have a very cool early 22-target pistol. This is the Smith and Wesson Straight Line Single Shot Pistol which made its debut in 1925. Up until the early 1920s Smith and Wesson dominated the target pistol market with revolvers that were not really revolvers. They had a single-piece cylinder that did not rotate and only took one cartridge at a time. These were so beloved that Olympic target shooters heavily preferred them. Later on, Colt would come out with their Camp Perry target revolver/pistol with a similar concept of design and this effectively complicated the market that Smith and Wesson worked so hard on. They attempted to revamp the target pistol game with this Stright Line Single Shot Pistol. Unfortunately, even though it was marketed to be better in every way the common consensus was that they were pretty unremarkable compared to their previous counterparts.
“This unique pistol is one of only 1,870 made from 1925 to 1936. It resembles a semi-automatic pistol. The barrel pivots to the left for loading. This pistol features a fixed blade front sight and adjustable rear sight on ribbed barrel. Barrel marked “SMITH & WESSON” on the left side and “22 LONG RIFLE CTG” on a the right. Right side of the frame is marked “MADE IN U.S.A.” Smooth walnut grips with gold S&W medallion inserts. Complete with original metal blued case which has the “S&W” monogram embossed on lid. Green felt lined with a two piece cleaning rod, screwdriver and six small targets, some used.”
Lot 654: Rare Early Smith & Wesson Straight Line Single Shot Pistol – Exceptional Rare Early Smith & Wesson Straight Line Single Shot Target Pistol in Original Metal Case with Accessories. (n.d.). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved December 12, 2022, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/75/654/rare-early-smith-wesson-straight-line-single-shot-pistol.
