Drew, I say first spray some black paint on the sights so's you can see'm in the bright sunshine, then get a cheap holster{does't even afta kinda fit} , use the speed loaders that scratch the finish on the matching wood grips, load up some home-brewed extra hot super -duper hand loads{ I recommend just filling the case to the brim with bullseye and then tamp a 300 grain hardcast bullet on top} and then tie that pretty revolver to an old tire and pull the trigger with a long lanyard. Oh , I forgot ,you had better drink heavy before going shooting to dull the ultimate pain as much as possible. Joe.

I have a slack weekend coming up before Turkey Season and I was wondering what I was gonna do!

Thanks for the guidance!

Drew

So, Sebago, did you contact Jim Rodgers and buy his nickel box?

Last December I was happily hiking a gun show when I was mugged at the end of the first aisle. It was GF, and he wanted to talk. As we were politely "BSing", along came a guy with a 4" blue gun. It was a 44 Military. He wanted $900, so I offered him $800, as tradition and morality in gun buying demanded. He said $850 and I was pealing $100 bills. It all shocked GF who had a little trouble believing I'd do it that quickly. Another rule of gun buying is to never hesitate when you see a deal.

Then I decided I needed a box for my gun. So I stopped at a friends table and asked him. He had one, but it was for a nickel 4" M1950. Not a problem for me, he said he'd bring it to the next show in a few weeks. I brought my agreed upon trade, as did he. Then a month later he gave me a phone call, telling me to bring the nickel box back, he had blue box for me. So we traded boxes. And Sebago Son was sent the contact information so he could try to pry it loose.

So now I've got a "shooter" in a correct box. And I'm a happy camper, more or less.

From reading Bettis's posts over the years, I could tell he had some common sense. His early post to this thread confirms it.

But I have a slightly different opinion on shooting collectors guns. What I've seen over the years is shooting a few rounds, or even a few cylinders full doesn't hurt the gun or the condition. Of course you use modest loads. Then you clean it, just like you were taught, until it looks like it did before you fired it. It takes a pretty good expert to tell if its been fired or not. If you want to be real sneaky (something I excel at) you look at your cylinder to see where the factory fired every other chamber. Then you load them, not the virginal ones. Then even a quick and dirty cleaning won't disclose a second round of firing.

Finding these guns is so rare you probably can't be too choosy. When you see one, you jump. If you hesitate, all is lost. Just ask GF.

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Dick Burg

Shoot ME but, I carry my (4" 1950 Sn S143xxx) every day and shoot it at least once a week... isn't that what it was meant for? My alternate carry guns (woods walking) are one of 2 1950 Targets or a .38/44 HD 5". I'm just not into safe queens unless bought strictly for an investment (more realistically protection against the falling dollar).

Good for you!

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

Wish I could afford one like that to shoot. That might be a little too rich for my blood..........

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV

I am so jealous! I've been working to put together a collection of 'Models of 1950' and I'm short two: The 'Heavy Duty' (pre-Model 20) and the .44 Military (Pre-Model 21)! Here in Southern Oregon they're pretty rare. The prices for these two have gone up significantly... but the ones on this thread are marvelous! Now if I can get the drool out of my keyboard.... ML

Mike,
Be patient and keep your eyes and ears open. Chances are you will find a nice 1950 Heavy Duty before a 1950 .44 Military. That said, once in a while a 1950 HD or .44 will pop up here or you'll get a heads-up from a forum member or another collector who knows that you are looking. Make your intentions known and be ready when the opportunity arises. Do you have a 1950 .38/44 Outdoorsman and or a 1950 Model .44 Target in your collection?

This is the 1950 Model .44 Military acquired from whelenshooter in 2010. The letter states, "... your Smith & Wesson .44 Military Model of 1950 Pre-Model 21, Five Screw Variation, caliber .44 S&W Special...serial number S142499 was shipped on March 7, 1955, and delivered to Williams Gun Sight Co., Davidson, MI."

S142499 w box docs tools.jpg

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Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat