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01-15-2011, 05:05 PM
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I owned a 1950 Target with a 5-inch barrel and standard blue finish. It has serial number S78599 and was shipped on April 17, 1951. It was a little different than most 1950 Targets in that the front sight ramp was not fitted to the barrel rib and sat on top of it like you see on the 44 Magnum. Also, the roll mark on the right side of the barrel was like that seen on the Model of 1926 (S&W may have used an old barrel to make it). The revolver has Magna stocks numbered to the frame. It is the only S&W I sold that I wish I would have kept. I bought it in the 1980s from Harrison Carroll.
I have owned three 1950 Targets with a 4-inch barrel and bright blue finish...S131155, shipped on March 28, 1955, S118255 shipped on January 24, 1955, and S141883, shipped on February 2, 1956 with Class A engraving by Harry Jarvis. Each of these guns had target stocks and a red ramp front sight blade. I also owned S97119, 6 1/2-inch, nickel, with Class B engraving by Russ Smith and shipped sometime in 1954.
I know nickel and bright blue were options for this model as early as April 1954 (and probably as early as their introduction) as I have a price list from then and it shows these finishes as available for the 1950 Target 44.
Bill
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01-15-2011, 06:38 PM
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I have three other 1950 Targets. They are 6-1/2 inch guns, two are .44 Special, one .45 ACP.
One .44 Special ( S98543 ) and the .45 ACP ( S100373 ) are the conventional soft blue. The third, another .44 Special ( S146562 ) is bright blue. They seem to fit in with what would be expected, finish-wise.
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01-11-2013, 05:16 PM
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I now own this Smith pre-24
Hey there,
I was just searching the SWCA site and found this gun.
I was shocked to see that it is the one that I now own and purchased from David Carroll last winter. It is a real beauty, and another great addition to my 1950's collection.
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01-11-2013, 05:30 PM
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That would be new favorite!
Thank you for sharing such a rare gem.
Emory
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01-11-2013, 08:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dhm146
Hey there,
I was just searching the SWCA site and found this gun.
I was shocked to see that it is the one that I now own and purchased from David Carroll last winter. It is a real beauty, and another great addition to my 1950's collection.
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Congratulations on such a great addition to your collection, and thank you for revitalizing the thread.
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01-12-2013, 05:32 AM
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I have to say that is a real beauty! Who needs a mountain gun when you can have one of these?! This forum really can be very educational.
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01-12-2013, 10:18 AM
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Resurrection of an old thread, but thank God. I haven't seen this one or this 4" .44 Model of 1950.
I have a 6.5" copy that I cherish. Love to find a 4" someday.
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01-13-2013, 02:15 PM
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Roy Jinks just wrote that my 4 inch 1950 Target S118324 shipped in January, 1955.
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01-13-2013, 03:07 PM
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Great resurrection thread!
Please enlighten me on the original stocks for these guns.
Were target stocks an option in the pre 24 1950 target, and, if so, were they checkered or smooth, cokes or otherwise?
Were magnas considered to be the 'standard' stocks on these?
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01-13-2013, 03:12 PM
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That'll leave a mark...
Quote:
Originally Posted by keith44spl
Dave,
If Tom will allow me this one little highjack of his thread...
I really need a 4" 1950 HE 4th Change in the remuda...
But for now I guess this ol' 5" pre-model number 44 Special will just have to do.
S978XX - Shipped 12-18-52 as a 5 inch w/ blue finish - engraved by Jim Russell - Harlington, Tex.
Su Amigo,
Dave
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Capn,
Didja throw a rawhide hitch through the trigger guard and make a drag or two with it?
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01-13-2013, 03:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sebago Son
Capn,
Didja throw a rawhide hitch through the trigger guard and make a drag or two with it?
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Drew Ol Pard,
That's what happens to a feller's sidearm...If'n he don't set them broncs right salty, ya know!
Happened to this'n....Jest knocked the manure off'n it and dropped 'er in the bluing tank...
At least it's a .44 Special
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Su Amigo,
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Last edited by keith44spl; 01-13-2013 at 03:46 PM.
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01-13-2013, 07:09 PM
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Looks like you plum wore the checking off the handles and spilt a little ox blood on it too Capn'!
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01-14-2013, 01:44 AM
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The ultimate sixgun.
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01-14-2013, 06:47 AM
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Beautiful pre-24's; I want a short barreled one sooo bad. If I can't have one of my own, then I'll just enjoy looking at all of your beauties.
Charlie
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01-14-2013, 11:08 AM
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Do believe a 4" or 5" N-frame .44 Special would sell again. Just a plain 29 [why - could even skip the lock; SB or RB] bored out to .44 Special chambers [with .430-.431 throats]. Take a page from a certain auto company and call it "The Ultimate .44 Special".
Best,
Dyson
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02-28-2013, 11:09 PM
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I've got a pre-24 with an original 3 1/2" barrel .44 spec. that was shipped to the Milwaukee Police Dept. in 1954. It also has a factory red ramp front sight, and rosewood target stocks. Std. hammer and trigger. Are there any others out there?
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02-28-2013, 11:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1869
I've got a pre-24 with an original 3 1/2" barrel .44 spec. that was shipped to the Milwaukee Police Dept. in 1954. It also has a factory red ramp front sight, and rosewood target stocks. Std. hammer and trigger. Are there any others out there?
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Are you measuring from the front of the cylinder to the end of the barrel? Please post pictures.
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02-28-2013, 11:39 PM
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I am the proud "caretaker" of 4" Pre-24 # S120179 shipped October 1955 to Point Sporting Goods Co., Stevens Point, Wisconsin with the bright blue finish. The barrel was originally stamped with the number of a .357 Magnum, and was restruck at the factory per the letter. I'd enjoy knowing it's pedigree.
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03-01-2013, 06:30 PM
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From front of cylinder to end of barrel. The factory letter also states being shipped with 3 1/2" barrel, and shipped to the Milwaukee Police Dept, presumably by some individual in the Department. I've always wondered how many were made this way.
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03-01-2013, 07:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1869
From front of cylinder to end of barrel. The factory letter also states being shipped with 3 1/2" barrel, and shipped to the Milwaukee Police Dept, presumably by some individual in the Department. I've always wondered how many were made this way.
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That would be a jewel right there.........Got any pics?
Check out this thread.....It deals with a 3 1/2" .44 Spl
.44 Special ctg?!?
.
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03-01-2013, 09:19 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1869
From front of cylinder to end of barrel. The factory letter also states being shipped with 3 1/2" barrel, and shipped to the Milwaukee Police Dept, presumably by some individual in the Department. I've always wondered how many were made this way.
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What the esteemed David Keith said-a jewel indeed.
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03-02-2013, 09:20 PM
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Sorry I,m new to computers and am working on putting pictures in. The 1950 .44 Special 3 1/2" is serial# S98821. A letter I have from Jink's states "This revolver was manufactured especially for the Milwaukee Police Department. It was furnished with a 3 1/2" barrel, target hammer, target stocks and a red ramp front sight. The handgun was shipped from our factory on May 20, 1954" The finish appears to be the standard matte blue and not the high polish seen on many special orders. The gun appears just as the factory letter states, except that the checkering on the S&W rosewood target stocks looks non factory. I have never seen another checkered this way. It"s pristine, looks unfired.
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03-02-2013, 10:12 PM
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1869, you have a unique and probably very valuable special order revolver.
We'd love to see pictures if you can manage it.
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03-02-2013, 10:45 PM
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I'm as much of an antique as my guns, and still use film camera's. I've got a new fangled digital and will give it a try.
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03-14-2013, 04:07 AM
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............................................
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JMHO-YMMV
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03-23-2013, 12:50 AM
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I have S118300 , same 4-inch with red ramp and same target stocks. But no box. Mint condition. Will try to post pics once I figure out how.
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04-03-2013, 07:02 PM
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Here is the follow-up pic of my pre-24 4-inch. Along with a Mdl. 58 (same photos as posted in another thread.)
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04-04-2013, 01:14 AM
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very cool, thanks for sharing
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SWCA #2442
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04-04-2013, 01:54 AM
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Very beautiful gun!
Were these non-checkered grips original or were they smoothened by the owner?
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Stephan
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04-05-2013, 01:28 PM
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Hi ElmerKeith,
Those were the grips as-is when I purchased the pre-24 years ago. As far as I know, and as far I can determine, the smooth grips are original.
Thanks.
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06-05-2018, 12:15 PM
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Pre Model 24 - 4" Thread... Resurrected!
S&W pre 24, 4" barrel. Resuscitating this old Thread concerning mine.
Original 2010 posting same month rotating home from overseas w/family. Busy & under radar. Later additions - ? Anyway, here belatedly contributing my ‘like-specimen’ & questions.
Mine, same specs; SN S118060... Owned for decades. Pix below.
Old gun, new questions…
Prior posts inference. Perhaps some small group-lot production in the S118,000 SN range. If so, might these have been the initial “production” offering, (versus special orders) for this model in 4” barrel? Any info/suggestion of totals in this S118k accumulation/group/lot; whatever?
Also noting S&W 4th Ed @ p. 189, general ‘pre-24 description’ referencing large S&W sideplate logo only. Presumably correct for 6 ½ barrel length, but obviously not so per pix above & mine below. Such with typically earlier small logo on left. All/some/perhaps just this S118k SN 4” lot with such left logo? Would these perhaps have been ‘older stock’ frames specifically selected to be distinctive for the 4” production or more likely just grabbed off shelf???
Reference to shipping in 6 ½ barrel box. Yet apparently shipping in correct length box. Presumably H/E box with 'over-label' on right, amending to target model?
Parting observations. Model, chambering, vintage, barrel length; near perfect guns these! Also with a couple of the ’83 era Model 24 reissues. Blue, 4” & 6 ½”, yet NIB. Lacking ‘aura’ perhaps, yet still “Smiths”. Now themselves ‘vintage’ and pretty decent themselves.
Answers/elaborations/opinion… Gratefully appreciated!
Last edited by iskra; 06-05-2018 at 12:23 PM.
Reason: Good typing speed/Poor spelling!
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06-29-2018, 03:38 PM
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Beautiful Revolver!!!!
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06-29-2018, 05:31 PM
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I owned S100022 which was shipped May 11, 1955 to Rex Firearms. Most are 100,XXX or 107,XXX or 118,XXX. My pinto 4" 1950 was a S 101XXX. Numbers all over the place.
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44 magnum, ejector, engraved, goncalo, hand ejector, jinks, k22, model 24, olympic, pinto, prewar, rosewood, rrwo, scsw, skeeter, smith-wessonforum.com, supica |
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