Jim:

The letter says it is a special order. I would guess that most 5 inchers were special orders. Original finish? I don't have the box, the letter didn't say, but it doesn't look refinished to me.

"... your handgun, with serial number S86130, was shipped from our factory on February 25, 1952, and delivered to Salt Lake Hardware Co., Salt Lake City, Utah. This revolver was a special order and was produced with a five inch barrel. The factory record do not indicate how many five inch handguns of this model were manufactured."

When is your letter dated?

My 4 incher is a bit newer, S118324. It is bright blue, as are all of the other original 4 inchers I have seen photos of.

Were all 4 inch 1950 Targets bright blue?

I just noticed that my 4 incher is only 3 numbers from Tom/230grfmj's. I wonder if mine was part of the same order? It's rr/wo, too.