i just got this pre model 24 44 S&W special. wasn't even looking. stop by a local gun shop and this guy had a gun case going to his car, so i asked him what he was selling, he had 2 or 3 long guns and this smith. had to have it. paid 600, i think i did alright. going to send out for a letter soon. ser# s118017. tell me what you think. thanks[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]

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George Jamison

i just got this pre model 24 44 S&W special. wasn't even looking. stop by a local gun shop and this guy had a gun case going to his car, so i asked him what he was selling, he had 2 or 3 long guns and this smith. had to have it. paid 600, i think i did alright. going to send out for a letter soon. ser# s118017. tell me what you think. thanks[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]

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George Jamison

Very nice and you did very well on the price.

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Ken

Congratulations! That's a beautiful gun - and a very good price. Jerry

Never have seen one with a red ramp sight.

Bill

You basically paid a high price for a pair of smooth non-relieved targets and you got the 1950 Target free. You did VERY well. I'm jealous!

OGCA...hmmm...are you from Ohio? What gunshop? I can't believe the seller was coming out of a gunshop that wouldn't give him 6 bills for it. Nice grab!

Great model, great grips, great price.
Congratulations!
Don

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OGCA Life
NRA Life

Good score on revolver that is bound to become a favorite.

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+ Restore the Republic +

44wheelman not from ohio wish i was. NY land of every gun law known to man. love the OGCA go out in may.

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George Jamison

Congrats ans safe shooting! Nice gripsters, too!

I own its cousin !

Jerry

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.38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

Those pre 24s are one of my favorites. Yours is a spectacular example.
I'll give you $700 for it.

With those grips, I'll double your money!

Great deal on a fine lookin' piece, congrats!

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John

You did great.

Target hammer? If so, I suspect that's not original. Wonder if the ramp sight with insert is original? May also be a modification as the vast majority of these have the Patridge type.

But for $600 it's still a deal.

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No life story has happy end.

You raise a good point, Saxon. The pins are showing prominently on the front sight base. I bet that front sight has been changed out. I thought the hammer looked like a target hammer, too, but figured my eyes were deceiving me.

Still, I would have paid $600 in a heartbeat!

Got one of those myself. I have or had, and cannot find the originial grips for mine. Its been driveing me nuts! I have mine sitting in the safe for 40 years now!

good going. congrats

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Formerly know as Lucky Derby

A great hard to find gun at a good price. You had a good day!

Skeeter would be proud of you!

Tell ya what: I'll take two or three with the wrong hammer and front sight at $600!

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Peter #2091

Take a look at the photo of my gun !

It has a target hammer, target trigger, and red ramp front sight. The pins on the front sight are polished flush and the sight has not been replaced. I have not lettered this gun but feel some of the late guns could be ordered with target features as well. Take a look at some of Doc44's photos as well.

Jerry


Doc44's 4"

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.38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

I would bet the front sight, stocks, and target hammer are original. Perhaps scarce on a 1950 Target 44, but original nonetheless.

Probably a $1500 package for $600. Nice to know there are still bargains to be had.

Bill

Far be it from me to argue with the big dogs. If that gun were mine, I'd already have a letter request in to Roy Jinks and I'd be working on wearing it out at the range.

Are those original Kearsarge stocks? Very nice!

Kearsarge type stocks are by Keith Brown.

Bill

Very nice snag at a VERY nice price!

As I have stated many times, I'm not the expert around here. I base my opinions on personal observation (and of course I have only seen a very small percentage of any particular model) and logic (which is often little more than guessing).

The ramp front sight is not all that rare. The Patridge is more common by far on this model but the ramps do turn up.

Target trigger... with a standard hammer... with a ramp front sight? That raises flags IMM. A buyer specifies the target hammer but not the trigger, too? And usually a buyer selecting the ramp sight is looking for a holster gun rather than a target pistol. So why get a target hammer with a ramp sight?

Naturally, this is just speculation. But as I always tell my students when pondering an analytical situation, ask yourself: "Does this make sense?"

Well, does it?

I don't think it does. I could very easily be wrong, but if I had to bet, my money says hammer is added since it left Springfield. Maybe the front sight, too, but I am more confident that the hammer isn't original.

STILL a great gun at a fantastic price. Not trying to criticize.

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No life story has happy end.

thanks for all the info, sending out for a letter first thing monday. thanks again

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George Jamison

SP...Target hammers were available for N-frames a couple of years earlier than target triggers . THs were first installed on N-frames in 1952, but triggers were not available until 1955 or so. I have owned at least five ".357s" that letter with target hammers and standard triggers (two have red ramps and two have red post front sights). Currently, I have one in my collection that was shipped in December 1952. The 1950 Target 44 we are discussing was probably shipped in early 1955 or late 1954 and seems correct the way it is configured. Even if not original, it is "period" correct.

Bill