In an extended conversation with a nice guy at a small show, I learn he purchased a 1950 Target a few years ago.
After some kibbutsing ,he agrees to sell it to me for what he paid for it .
$500. + $110. for the two additional cylinders he bought from Brownells long ago to repair the gun.

Good condition overall ,grips number and have some beautiful grain ,although somewhat worn ,and modified on the left horn.

Original finish ,numbers match, no appreciable wear.

Here are the pictures: ,




























Now ,, the reason the cylinder needed to be replaced , and the $500. price tag was that some gorilla took a drill bit and hogged out the cylinder to accept 45 Colt. It did not work. Here is the picture.






I have fitted one of the new cylinders to it ,using the original crane ,and extractor star ,it looks like it will work ,just a slight timing issue to work out .


Happy Holidays , ,Allen Frame

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NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

Neat old gun, Allen, nice catch.

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John

"There is nothing on this world that can't be ruined by a Dremel"

I wish that you find the new cylinder.

Swissman

A Bubbabotomy. Thankfully, she has found a home where she will be appreciated and can receive the necessary transplant to make her live again.

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Misty

Thumbs up, Allen. Nice score.

The cylinder: I'm probably capable of turning a seemingly good idea into an utter mess, but who would make five more messes after the first one didn't work? Kind of hard to understand the state of mind here. Maybe the home smith liked symmetry in his disasters, or figured that practice would make perfect. He had a ruined cylinder after the first chamber, so why not take advantage of the five other options to improve his technique?

Anyway, pity about the original cylinder, and I hope you get the replacement squared away without too much further fuss. That's a nice gun. I hope to have one someday.

Merry Christmas!

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David Wilson

The bright side to the Bubba cylinder is that you have a very unique pencil holder!

Nice revolver, Allen, have fun with it! Besides, I get the feeling your like a project every now and then....

Merry Christmas!

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Barry, youngest son of Claud

Allen, nice 1950. Especially so that you won't be afraid to shoot it. Merry Christmas!

BTW, my brass arrived safely. Thanks again.

Merry Christmas.
You have one of the best Revolvers that the Factory ever turned out.
In the the 1960s- 1970s when I was in Competition Bullseye Shooting and Target Grade Colt Model 1911s were the King, I held my own with a S&W Model 1950 Target. Also used a K-22 and K-38 as my Comperition battery.
Jimmy

My first gun/first revolver was a Smith 1950 .44 Special. Oh my, did I have a good time with that gun out in the hills and fields around my home. Long time ago; 20 yrs old, fresh out of the Army.
Sonnytoo

I have an old 455 2nd model that same Bubba must have gotten a hold of. What is even more curious is that he appears to have replaced the original cylinder with a pre-war Magnum cylinder (recessed chambers) and then proceeded with his bore-through job, ruining what was a rare and valuable cylinder. The barrel has been shortened and a modern Baughman style ramp front sight soldered in place. The conglomeration has been poorly reblued, but did come with a nice set of '70s PC magnas, which I have replaced with a set of Pachmayr grippers, to complete the mess - just to add class.

What motivates some people escapes me.

Your revolver is going to be very nice once you get the timing issue under control. Hopefully it will make a good shooter. I like guns like that one.

Cool find, Al. It couldn't be in better hands to restore it to shooting glory.

Merry Christmas.

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Pace

Nice shooter when you get her up and running! Well even old Bubba need's a hobby I guess. Maybe his next hobby will be improveing 73 Winchesters!

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Stay safe people!

Nice find, Al! I'll look forward to seeing the final result and reading a range report. ....You can use that old cylinder to serve escargot. Have a Great Christmas!

Jerry

Not too shabby of a deal. Good find!

Check close and be sure you do not have a historic, prototype of the first S&W .500. You do not want to ruin relics by just fixing them.

Thank you for all the kind replies. I have been kind of in the dumps lately ,and the gun hobby keeps me going.

One thing I learned that is very important; if the cylinder binds the slightest bit ,the timing will be affected accordingly.

God bless us ,one and all.

Allen

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NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.