I have posted this story years ago but it's a special day and a good time to do it again. One of them is celebrating its 64th anniversary today.

After reading Skeeter Skelton's writings I yearned for a 4" Fourth Model 44 Target like he often carried. I searched for 30 years in vain. I bought one of the 24-3s when they came out in the 1980s but it wasn't the same.

In 2005 David Carroll listed a pair of 1950 44s. They were not cheap. And they were not 4" versions, they had 5" barrels. I thought about it all afternoon then called him. I bought the less expensive of the pair (they were priced $100 apart). When my wife got home I told her the story. Her comment was "Why didn't you buy both of them?" God, I love that woman. I called Mr. Carroll and bagged the second 1950. These were my first purchase using my then new C&R license.

They are not original 5" guns. One had its barrel cut to that length and the other had a replacement barrel fitted (no serial). No idea where somebody found a 5" barrel as a replacement part. One is brush blue and the other is bright blue. Serial S 140775 shipped 4/26/55 to Shapleigh Hardware, St. Louis, MO. This is the closest I have gotten to my birthday which was 4/19/55. Serial 143776 shipped 10/8/55 to Woodward Wight & Co, New Orleans, LA.

They were both wearing original numbered Magna stocks but I put on some period Targets. They have RR and WO sights and wide, smooth triggers. The story that came with the revolvers was that in 1970 they were acquired by the same owner who had the work done on them. If true they have been together as a set for nearly 50 years.

Understandably they are among my very favorite revolvers. To this day I have not seen a 4" 1950 44 Target in person.

What they looked like when I got them...




They shoot pretty good, too...

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No life story has happy end.

Beautiful. Target trigger, red ramp front sights, what's not to like?

Really nice revolvers. A 6 1/2 inch is on my want list. I did see a 4 inch for sale.

Great story. (I'm a sucker for a good story.)

5" N-frame without a model number. Perfect!

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

That is one great pair of revolvers. The 1950 Model "N" frame revolvers are all great. From the target models to the fixed sight models.
Well done!

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Ken

I think the Mod 1950 is my favorite N frame.

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SWCA #3356, SWHF#611

Forget the guns, where can I find a wife like that?
Seriously, that's a great pair of 44s.

Nice pair ; )

An interesting alternate take for fans of the 4" tapered barrel 44 on a budget is the .44 Magnum Mountain Revolver or Mountain Gun.

I had read Elmer and Skeeters tales of the 4" 1950 Target for years and was smitten with their stories surrounding them and their use. I never thought that I would ever see one, much less own one of them. I walked into one of my local shops in Grand Junction and observed what turned out to be a 4" bright blue 1950 Target in the case. I about broke my wrist getting my wallet out of my pocket to get my credit card. I believe that I paid $1200 for it at the time. It also had Cokes on it instead of the standard targets. It also happened to be my anniversary so I got a very nice anniversary present from my wife even if she didn't think so at the time.

That account ALMOST makes me reconsider remarrying, which is normally the triumph of hope over experience.