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06-20-2018, 05:53 PM
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ID my revolver
Hello all,
Trying to identify a .44 Spcl revolver for my father. Looking for a ballpark mfg date and approximate value at auction.
Appreciate any assistance you can provide.
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06-20-2018, 06:37 PM
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In every subforum, there is a "sticky" itemizing the information needed to tell you about your Dad's revolver.
Based on the serial number, it was probably shipped in 1955-1956.
I'm not an expert, but I will hazard a guess that it is a .44 Hand Ejector 4th Model Target (aka Model of 1950 .44 Target or pre-Model 24). However, the 4th Model is shown with a ramped front sight. The 3rd Model is pictured with the type of sight on your gun but with a different hammer. However the serial number falls in the range of the 4th Model.
The Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson says 5,050 reported manufactured circa 1950-1957, then continued as the Model 24 until 1966. If you remove the stocks, the serial number should be written or stamped on the back of one grip.
From the one picture, it appears to be in very good to excellent condition. The Catalog says $2700 for excellent, $1250 for very good. If you have the original box, tools, and paper, that will enhance the value to some.
It's a very nice revolver.
The real experts will be along shortly to explain my mistakes in this post.
Last edited by Inusuit; 06-20-2018 at 06:41 PM.
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06-20-2018, 09:34 PM
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Great! That was fast. Thank you very much.
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06-20-2018, 09:41 PM
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It looks like it may have been re-finished in the first pic..........not a highly polished look.
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06-20-2018, 10:05 PM
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The grips are very nice, can we see a picture of the left side of the gun?
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06-20-2018, 10:53 PM
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Some more pics
Here are some additional pics
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06-20-2018, 11:04 PM
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Are those scratches on the sideplate and on the frame under the grip? Those are pretty big!
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06-21-2018, 01:18 PM
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Unfortunately, yes. The story that came with the gun was that this was a police issued weapon. Not shown is what appears to be an inventory control number hand-etched into the back side of the front strap. The grips are in good condition and it does appear to me that it was refinished in the past. Leads me to believe the grips are not original since they don't show the same signs of rough handling. Just guesswork though.
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06-21-2018, 03:44 PM
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The 6 1/2 barreled 1950 Target 44SPL did come with the front sight that yours has. The 4" model had the ramp front sight. These are sought after by a lot of S&W revolver fans. The 44SPL has a lot of followers. The red addition to the front sight is probably not original.
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Last edited by kennethg; 06-21-2018 at 03:45 PM.
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06-21-2018, 06:07 PM
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Collectors want the 4" or the 6.5" barrel?
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06-21-2018, 07:18 PM
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Collectors like both barrel lengths but the 4" is more rare, harder to come by and also more expensive.
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06-23-2018, 10:18 AM
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The grips could very well be original. The target style are not numbered to the gun 95% of the time. But it would have been a special order to have target grips on that model in that error. Magna grips were standard.
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Jim
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