The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was sold to Powell & Clement, Cincinnati, Ohio, and shipped express to the King Gun Sight Co. of San Francisco, California, on April 17, 1939. Unfortunately, the factory invoice detailed record for this revolver was damaged and additional information is unavailable. A copy of a September 26, 1939, letter on Powell & Clement Co. letterhead and addressed to S&W indicates the revolver was returned to the S&W factory for refinishing, obviously after it was engraved and the custom work by King was completed. This rare 4 inch barrel round butt target revolver features King Co. special sights: a King red bead front sight on a mirror base (partially covering barrel legend) and S&W adjustable white outlined square notch rear sight. The revolver is decorated with an attractive floral scroll motif on matted background by Herbert Hardie Hilton, who has signed his work on the underside of the barrel. The revolver wears a set of grips featuring matching carved floral scrollwork. The revolver has a humpback hammer and matching serial numbers on the butt, cylinder, and barrel. Herbert Hardie Hilton (1886-1974) was born in Webster, South Dakota, and later settled in Detroit, Michigan. Based on Michael Helms research, Hilton is first mentioned as an engraver in the 1910 Detroit City Directory and in 1911 was listed as an engraver for the Weyhing Brothers Manufacturing Company known for producing police badges. Before 1920 Hilton's other jobs included Cadillac Motor Car Co. parts inspector and salesman. He lived in Detroit until at least 1942 as he moved with his sister's family to Oneida, New York. In 1946 he moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he remained as an engraver until his death (November 3, 1974). His self-employed engraving career spanned some 40 years. In a 1949 article in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Hilton's engraving talents are celebrated by stating: "Only two recognized commercial engravers now remaining outside of Forth Worth are Art Griebel of Chicago and Herbert Hilton of Phoenix, Ariz..." In another article from 1950 featured in The News and Courier of Charleston, South Carolina, Hilton is referred to as a "topnotch contemporary engraver." The engraving displayed on this revolver certainly speaks to Hilton's talents. Helm's letter detailing Hilton's short biography and a couple of copies of related newspaper articles and obituary are also included.

Exceptionally fine as engraved by Herbert H. Hilton, retaining 98% of the S&W factory applied blue finish with mild muzzle wear, few scattered handling marks, a couple areas of light spotting. The special hammer knurling was cut as part of the King Gunsight enhancements. The grips are very fine, with a few typical age lines and crisp engraving. Mechanically excellent. A very attractive and uniquely engraved and signed S&W M&P Round Butt Target Revolver shipped to the famed King Gun Sight Co.