That serial number suggests shipment in late 1950, but it could have left the factory a few months later if it languished in inventory for a while. The gun is a heavy-barrel/wide-rib Masterpiece, which would have been in production and available for about a year at that time. Like others here, I suspect the barrel has been shortened.
I wish I had a thought about the engraving, but I don't. I defer to those who have seen something similar and reported their beliefs about possible origin.
EDITED TO ADD: Russ got in with the heavy barrel observation while I was still stabbing at the keys!
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David Wilson
Last edited by DCWilson; 10-26-2015 at 08:29 PM.
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