Was following this pre-24on GunBroker. Firstly the seller originally listed it as a model 24 and I’m not sure if that’s the reason it received very little attention. It didn’t appear to be a 99% specimen judging by the pictures that were listed. But it did look like it could be an 80-85% Pre 24. So I went for it putting an amount I thought would work for me. Judging by the ser. # it was manufactured in 1953. Cleaned all the black mud out of the interior, used Semichrome to clean the exterior followed by a coat of Renwax. There are fly tracks in a few areas, the front sight had no finish ( applied a little cold blue) and the front sight pin appears to be broken and not visible from the exterior. Will be searching for a new front sight and pin. The target grips are not numbered to the gun and were probably added at a later date. In my mind this is a 90%+ Pre 24. A few not so great pics are attached.

The grips in the photos came on another gun I purchased several years ago. It is a Louisiana StateTrooper (portion of a) badge and yes it is screwed on. There are also three notches on the right grip panel.
It is the state seal.

To better explain my statement about my HOME RUN, my final cost, including shipping, taxes and fees was far less than recent sales of tracked pre 24’s.

At least a triple with the catcher stretched out waiting for the long throw from the right field wall as you make the turn. I'd go in headfirst with left hand stretched wide. Could be an in-the-parker

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Some collect art; I shoot it!

Oh hell yeah! I love it!

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

Nice find.

You are right about the stocks. The diamond was eliminated in the late 1960s (by order dated December 28, 1967). So those are after that.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Very nice! The last one I saw was on Labor Day at the Hillsville VA gun show/flea market. It was priced at $2400.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

You did somewhere between good and very, very good on that. Congrats.

Elmer Keith would be very happy for you 4star, and so am I. Here is a shot of mine, shipped April 20, 1954. I do like those 44 Specials and I believe you got yours for a great price.

I was just looking at the difference between front sight blades.

Attached Images

IMG_0704 (2).jpg (141.3 KB, 136 views)

Congratulations on a great find!
I'd like to see a close up of the insert in the right grip panel. It looks quite interesting.

Here’s what I got when I enlarged the Center using Photoshop Express.
Looks like the Medallion is screwed on.
Is that the State Seal in the center?

Attached Images

2AAB47EC-D8AE-4F31-BA9F-EFE7F809E87E.jpeg (64.6 KB, 195 views)

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

These grips came on another gun I purchased several years ago. It is a Louisiana StateTrooper (portion of a ) badge and yes it is screwed on. There are also three notches on the right grip panel.
It is the state seal.

Looks like 95% + to me. The grips are fabulous. Nice package!

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S&WHF #946
S&WCA #3824

Those grips have the diamond center and I think they appear to be cokes!
jcelect

Congratulations on the new shoes on that pre-M24. They indeed look like cokes, and emblazoned with the Honorable badge.

Of course, after you get to the range, we all hope that you will find the time to show us groups, offhand or rested, with some (perhaps mild) Elmer Keith loads, to keep his noble legend alive and well via the heritage of the pre-24!

No matter what the ammo may be, mild or wild, we wish you well; and we trust that excellent example will serve you beautifully for many years to come.

Beautiful gun and good buy!

I agree, those are Cokes.

Also, both front sights shown in this thread have modified front sight blades. The OP's has been filed lower and the top front curve is not quite right.

The other of course has been shortened at the rear.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

You are all correct, they are cokes and I believe they are rosewood. The barrel slugged out to .429. The .432 pin gauge fit all chambers while the .433 gauge would not enter. All in all a good combo.

I did a similar thing. Three years ago I wanted one. I watched GB and one came up. 85-90% - carried a ton and shot little. Even got the original Heiser holster with it.
Didn't have the original grips and had holster wear - no one wanted it....or at least was willing to spend money on a shooter grade.
Made in about 1950 and after a through cleaning and test firing, it felt like a new gun. Tight as a drum with the early post war smooth as butter action.
It has become my favorite - I like 44 special a lot more now.

The heat finally broke to a very pleasant 75 degrees. A great day to finally see what my 1950 44 Spl ( and me) could do. Used a 255 gr SWC-K bullet over 7.5 grs of Unique. Shots were offhand at 60’ & 21’. Am very pleased with this 44 even though it is shooting high. This is the result of the previous owner installing a lower front sight and also, I believe, filing the top of the rear sight blade. My search begins for a sight with the blade itself at least 3/8” to 7/16” above the base.

The first two pics are from 60’ and the playing card from 20’.

Thank you for the very good range report. You’re a decidedly competent offhand marksman. And with that classic load!

Nice going.

Ed, Elmer, Skeeter, and Jerry are all smiling Great catch and Chootin'!

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PTLAPTA!

Thanks. This was one of my better days. Sometimes it comes together……Lou

Lou was always a good shot, even on his "off"days. He was my dad's good friend and I'll always remember our shooting times together.

If it’s Fenway or Minute Maid, he’s in standing.