Was this Barrel Cut? 1950 Target

4-Screw

4-Screw

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I went and looked at a 4" 1950 Target today. I was told it was all original, owned by an old-time collector, he owned it for >20 years, and that the only negative was that the correct period grips which were not SN'd to the gun. I drove almost an hour to buy it, and as soon as I opened the case, I went "ugh"....my first impression from the roll marks were that it was a cut 6.5" gun. It looks like the pin may have been removed because there is a small mark just under the pin on the left side of the gun. The edge of the muzzle is not sharp, but it is "Crisp". It seemed as if it should have been a bit more rounded. The finish is a solid 98%+


I always trust my gut. Any opinions? He gave me today to think about it.

2011-09-17095819.jpg


2011-09-17095803.jpg
 
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Mine looks exactly like that...

2009_1226AH.jpg


and I know it was cut before being installed. Sorry the picture isn't better but you can see the location of the roll mark even though it's out of focus.

Dave
 
I say cut based on the off-center rollmarks. I can't be sure from this angle, but it also looks as though the rib and front sight run all the way to the muzzle. They should stop just slightly back to allow for a good crown. In addition, the front sight block is sunk pretty low in the rib, and the leading edge of the rib needed to be beveled in order to keep it from riding higher than the rear edge of the replaced sight block.

I guess this might be original if someone ordered a 4" gun from the factory and people there just modified one they had in stock rather than make up a four-inch barrel from scratch, but that feels unlikely to me.

My take is that you were wise to trust your gut. Four-inch pre-24s exist, but they are scarce. If you want to roll the dice, I would say you should buy it only with the agreement that there is a right of return if the gun does not letter as having been shipped in that configuration.
 
Which pin? The barrel pin?

ALWAYS get pics of the muzzle crown when you want an opinion on a cut barrel.
 
I'm with the others - it's been cut. However, if you can get him to move off the price, the 4" .44 Special is a real joy to shoot ! I've got three.

Larry
 
It looks cut... BUT... it may have been cut by S&W before leaving the factory as a special order if a 4" barrel wasn't immediately available. Or maybe the stampings are just off a bit. You need the letter to be certain.

I always say the same thing regarding rare variations. I will say it again.

I would not buy a rare gun without the letter (unless priced as a modified gun). I would not drive to look at a rare gun if the seller didn't have the letter. I can't imagine any rare S&W not having the letter with it if it is original.
 
$1500

It's just that a lot of people do not letter guns. Some of these old-timers do not even know what a letter is or that one is needed....I thought it was worth the drive.

Lee...I was thinking about that afterwards but I just snapped them as he was about to drive away.

One of my grail/favorite guns...balloon burst today.

Thanks for the input.
 
I am indeed a lucky man because I have a new unfitted 4" barrel in my warbag.Mine does not have a red ramp and does not show the two pins holding the ramp base onto the rib as does rck281 pics above.The slight undercut of the rib to lower the ramp is exactly like mine and the lettering on both sides of the barrel are the same as rck281s above.With a 10x loupe I can see one pin [must be two?] where rcks' is but it is so finely fitted that it is very hard to detect.In fact the whole ramp is so well fitted to the rib that the join line is hard to see. I have had several 24,s over the years that have been cut to 4'' and as best I remember they were very similar to the OPs showing a slight gap or miss match at the join line. I believe these are typical of revolvers returned to S&W for shortening.So, the question to me is always not has it been cut but rather is this a factory cut? Remember Skeeter Skelton told of sending several Mod.27s back to be shortened at S&W and IIRC he might have done the same with a couple of Mod. 24s.If you want a great fun and a serious gun don't worry about it. If you must have a documented factory 4" and you find out yours isn't PM me ! I can always use another! Nick
 
From your pics, it looks nice but IMO and unless substantiated otherwise, that gun is only a shooter... albeit a desirable one though.
I doubt the seller would ever take what I'd offer but $650-$800 is prolly it depending on grips, condition, etc. But I'm finickey that way. That, and the price they bring these days, is prolly why I don't get to buy many S&W's anymore.
 
Sir.
Here is a couple pics. Both are well worn examples.

I have one that I know to have been cut and modified other places.
44Spec009.jpg


This one I think has original barrel length.
292724028.jpg


Bill@Yuma
 
I was reading this thread for the 3rd or 4th time. I finally came to the conclusion it doesn't matter if the barrel was cut or not (it clearly has been cut). The value to the collector crowd in nil (I'm a part of that group, kind of). The value to the shooter crowd is low, but better because the "unkind" cut makes it more available to them.

Its a gun that, depending on the serial and a close inspection, might be worth $4000 if original and with a low serial. To the shooting and abuse crowd, its worth $500-600 for its utility. All because of the mis-centered roll stamp. I'd even say its not worth getting lettered. Even with a factory letter telling us it came that way, no collector in his right mind would spend much to own it.
 
rburg said:
The value to the collector crowd in nil... The value to the shooter crowd is low...
Click to expand...

I'm a collector of shooters so my comment is from that perspective. Several have said, as a cut down gun is it only worth $500-$600. I have to wonder how your thinking works to arrive at a price like that?

A 4" Model 24-3 is going to sell for way more than that. I personally would much rather have a 5-screw than a 1980s version of the N-frame 44 Special. In my neck of the woods (OK - desert) you just don't see hardly any N-frame S&W for under $500. I'm willing to bet a 5-screw 44 Special, even a cut down one but with a 4" barrel, would not be found on a dealer's selves for much under $1000...and I bet it would sell for that too.

Dave
 
Hi:
The barrel has been cut.
A guy I know had a Model 1917, Model 1950 Target, and a Model 25-2 cut to four inches at different times.
Normally the barrels were cut a mite more then four inches (4- 3/8"?)
 
As JimmyJ stated above...

I've cut a few my ownself, here's one from 30 years ago. ;)
If'n ya cut 'em to hold the rollmarking kinda centered up - they'll run out about 4 1/2" to 4 3/4".


I've toted this'n several miles and several years ahorseback.

(Barrel & Cylinder now installed on a 27 frame)
IMG_0108.jpg

IMG_0121.jpg

IMG_0112-2.jpg


Su Amigo,
Dave
 
Last edited:
Dave T said:
I'm willing to bet a 5-screw 44 Special, even a cut down one but with a 4" barrel, would not be found on a dealer's selves for much under $1000...and I bet it would sell for that too.

Dave
Click to expand...

I recently sold a 5" cut down 1950 Target in bright blue on the Forum for $850. It was an excellent gun with very good finish.
 
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