RARE Smith & Wesson S&W Model 46, The .22 Rimfire Target, Blue 5 ½” SA Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1964-65 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,170
LSB#: 150929JS01
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: 46 Rimfire Target
Serial Number: 77017
Year of Manufacture: 1964-65. This 5 ½” heavy barrel model was introduced in 1964 and only 500 were made. (“Standard Catalog of S&W” – Nahas)
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the frame is marked “77017”. The left side of the slide is marked with the S&W logo and the right side with the 4 Line “Marcus Registradas” address. The left side of the barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON” and the right side with “22 LONG RIFLE CTG”. The right side of the frame is marked “Model 46”.
Barrel Length: The heavy slab sided barrel is 5 ½” in length.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Patridge style blade fixed to a ramped base on the barrel. The rear sight is a square notched flat top target sight dovetailed into the back of the barrel. The top of the barrel has a matte finish and is serrated to reduce glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are large oversized checkered walnut that enclose the backstrap and the bottom of the grip except for a cut-out for the magazine. There is a wide prominent thumb rest on the left grip, a prominent heel rest at the bottom of the right grip and the top of the right grip is grooved for the index finger of the right hand. The left grip shows a few light marks in its lower left side near bottom of the grip, along the back edge and above the thumb rest at the top rear. The right grip shows a few light marks along its lower edge. The checkering is sharp with a thin strip of moderate to heavy wear down the rear centerline of the grips. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: The pistol is blued. There is a matte black finish on the top of the barrel and the rear face of the slide and frame.
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. There is a spot of thinning on the right side of the barrel on its lower corner at the front of the frame, a tiny mark through the finish on the left side of the slide above the grip and a few tiny marks through the finish on the underside of the slide and the front underside of the frame. There are also several light marks on the right side of the slide and barrel between the trigger guard and the front of the frame. The grip screws are distressed and the markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one 10 round blued magazine. The magazine is marked “S&W” on the floorplate. It shows surface loss on its edges and at the right front top of the magazine. It is in about Fine condition.
Our Assessment: This is an S&W Model 46 .22 Rimfire Target model. It is basically the same as the top end Model 41 except without the same highly polished finish and detailed serrations. This model was made with 5” and 7” barrels and in 1964 a 5 ½ heavy barrel was introduced, and only 500 were made. This is one of those 500 pistols. It is in about Excellent condition. It shows several light marks in the barrel and slide, with a few tiny marks through the finish and a spot of thinning near the front of the barrel on the right side. The grips are oversized checkered walnut with a wide pronounced thumbrest on the left side and a groove near the top of the right side for the index finger of the right hand. The grips show only a few light marks and the checkering is sharp. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. This is a very nice target pistol with an all steel frame, barrel and slide. It has a target sights with a Patridge style front blade and the grip has prominent thumb and heel rests to firmly lock your shooting hand into position. Why buy a new target pistol made in some far away land when you can get this one in such nice condition?
