Hi, my name is Shotguncoach, and I'm a Pre-24 o'holic. They just keep following my home. Really....I don't know how it happens.

This one arrived today, and as usual my FFL tried to talk me out of it. He told me on the phone that it was a rusty, hacked up piece of junk and that he would help me out and take it off my hands for $100.

I'm thinking that it's been reblued with a very light touch. There's just a bit of softening around the stampings and the screw holes. All of the lettering is still clear though.

It's wearing a set of antler stocks with S&W logo emblems. There is no makers mark that I recognize, just the number '18' on both sides and what could be "H-S-N" or "U-S-N" on the left panel. I'm hoping that someone can ID the manufacturer of the stocks. They fit well and feel great in the hand.

The mystery is the barrel: there is no serial number. It has the letter "S" stamped in the ejector rod housing where it would normally appear, but there is no serial number following it. There is another, larger "S" and a diamond stamped closer to the frame in the ejector rod housing. A factory replacement barrel maybe? Has anyone seen this before? There is no factory re-work date stamp that I can find.

Overall the gun is in excellent shape. The bluing is so reflective that it was difficult to get pictures without having my reflection show in the sideplate. I haven't opened the action up yet but I know what I will find: someone has already been in there and done a nice job. I can see a Wolff hammer spring with the stocks off, and the trigger pull is 2 lbs single action and 8 lbs double action. And it's smoooooth.

I'll have a range report up tomorrow. For now, here are some early pictures. If anyone can help on the stocks or the non-serialized barrel I'd appreciate it.





























Edit to add: Yes, this is number 6. I told you I had a problem.

The serial numbers are: S98758, S100023, S118071, S118227, S118277, and this one S145188.

Here's the rest of the pack:

The good news is that you realize that you may have a problem. I think they must know that you provide a safe space. Congratulations on another fine old side iron. I would have given that a good home too.

__________________
Matthew Conrad

Nothing beats an old 44 SPL!

__________________
Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

I can perhaps give you some help---coupled with a SWAG---or two or three. We'll see how it goes.

I had a Satin blue K-22 I returned to be refinished in Bright Blue. It came back with the markings S <> on the several pieces---(S&W finishes/refinishes guns in pieces). In this instance, I decided S <> translated to S= Return to Service Department---<> = Bright Blue. So much for that.

My best guess (assuming the S <> appears no where else on your gun) is, 1. The barrel is a replacement, and was finished/refinished in bright blue. If those models are finished in both Satin and Bright Blue, it's pretty much a lead pipe cinch it (the barrel) started out either in the white or in Satin Blue. I'm told (by Jinks) the Service folks work on one gun at a time, with no parts from other guns on their bench (negating the need to number replacement parts)---hence no number on your barrel.

A letter will tell you the specs on your gun when it was first shipped. If we're lucky, it shipped with other than a 4" barrel, so there will be no more wondering about that. Otherwise, don't sweat the small stuff---the gun is what it is.

Ralph Tremaine

Agree with the refinish and barrel change. I'm surprised that there is no date of service stamp on the butt but suppose that could happen. Nice gun, it would have come home with me too. As for your pre-24 affliction, not to worry, you'll be fine.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Nice group of 44 specials, I can see how you just couldn't walk away from this one & leave those 5 lonely guys in the dark... Now they're all one happy family.

Shotguncoach- You do have a MAGNETISM for Pre24's!!! Looking good.
Take Care
Gary

You should communicate with the S&W Historical Foundation, if you are a member. They might have some information about it's return to the factory.

Mike Priwer

Very fine, indeed. I too have a soft spot for the oddballs and non safe queens. I’ve got another one coming in this week too.

I need to get that done....I've been reminding myself to get the applications in to the SWCA and SWHF for a couple of months now. Thanks for the reminder.

Beautiful guns. They are on my wishlist and I’m envious.

Both are well worth the effort...You can thank us later......Ben

__________________
Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

OR.....A new .44 spl.

__________________
S&W Accumulator

At one time John Bianchi could hide all 6 of those under a tuxedo.

__________________
S&W Accumulator

Oh that happened too. A 6" 624 came home at the same time.

In my limited experience, 2 guns, that went back to the factory and had barrels replaced, both were serial numbered to the gun. one was a Registered Magnum, the other a Regulation Police. That does not mean that yours wasn't done by the factory.

__________________
Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

A lot depends on the time period involved.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

The S<> means factory rework of some kind usually involving a refinish. A factory barrel change is highly unlikely w/o being stamped with the gun’s serial number.

The most confusing situations usually involve two or more separate occurrences. Also we have to keep in mind that factory marking protocols can vary by technician and different time periods.

In this case one scenario might be:

The barrel was replaced outside the factory, subsequently later followed by a trip to the factory for a refinish. The missing factory rework date stamp on the grip frame could be due to the eventual phase out of date stamping after the 1970s or so (I don’t have my notes with me now).

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

DANG man! Leaves some for the rest of us!
Nice looking group of 44 specials. I only have one, but it is one of my favorites.

__________________
Send lawyers, guns & money...

Very Nice Pick Up You Dog LOL..

It seems to shoot ok

10 yards, two hands, single action, using 240 grain LSWC's and 6.5 grains of flammable dirt (Unique).



I guess I'll keep it.

The best way to learn about your 1950 44 Target is to obtain a letter of authenticity from the S&WHF. The letter will state what barrel length the 44 was shipped with, the location, and shipping date. I believe your 44 Target was shipped with a standard finish as this model finished in bright blue usually has a B stamped on the lower left hand corner of the grip frame under the 4. I have three shipped in 1955 with this stamp and each letters as being shipped in bright blue.

Service records (repair and refinish) are very few in the post war records and there is nothing about your 44 in them (I researched it using the serial number).

Bill Cross
S&WHF

Shotguncoach: You definitely have a problem, and I'm afraid that you are in serious need of an intervention. Out of the goodness of my heart and to help out a fellow Forum member, you should immediately send me all 6 of those .44 Specials. I'll hold onto them for you as you complete your 12-step S&W revolver rehabilitation program. Unfortunately, there has been almost zero success with rehabilitation, so I may have them for awhile. Very nice collection!

Have I mentioned my free pick up service?...Plus the Texas climate is much friendlier to blued steel than Florida...I've even built a special 1950 model retirement wing in my safe for the seven that already reside there......Ben

__________________
Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

O/P I’m surprised someone else has not mentioned this. Don’t worry about this gun. Do get rid of that thief who lied to you and attempted to cheat you.

__________________
Always Stay Strong!

HawgRider and Truckman: Thank you for your kind offers. The Arizona climate is particularly well suited for the preservation of old iron and I'm enjoying the heck out of my addiction. Can I interest you in some Jeep parts instead? My wife would like that.

old bear: The thief is my best friend and we have a long history of "helping" each other that way. His wife has still not forgiven me for introducing him to the joy of Belgian Browning shotguns.

Doc44: Thank you for checking on the service history. I appreciate it.

I sent off my SWCA materials today via email/paypal. Once I get my number I'll add the SWHF membership and send off for a flurry of letters.

On another note, the stocks on this one look great and feel good in the hand when I'm not shooting, but they allow the gun to shift quite a bit under recoil if I don't keep an absolute death grip on it. I'm fresh out of N-frame diamond target stocks and my last unused pair of Culina's went onto a pre-27, so I'll be haunting the For Sale ads until a good pair pops up.

Great 44 Special load too. I have using that recipe for 40+ years.

All hail the best forum on the net! Less than 24 hours after my post SmithNut listed a pair of non-relieved diamond target stocks in the for sale area. Now we wait…

About 15yrs. ago I went to a small local estate auction, it was being held the same weekend as the biggest gunshow in the state so there was little bidding competition. There was a 4" pre'24 in the auction, the bidding started out kind of brisk but the bottom feeders soon dropped out. I had set an arbitrary limit to how much I would bid, the limit was reached and there was only one other bidder and myself. I decided to make one more bid, much to my surprise mine was the winning bid. So the S & W in presentation case with cardboard box and original receipt were mine for the sum of $650.00. The story gets even better, I later traded it for an H.H. Harris 5" .44 Special. Every so often the stars are in alignment and you get lucky !

I recommend keeping that one.

__________________
S&WHF #946
S&WCA #3824

SmithNut came through and provided these....I think they'll do just fine.

__________________
SWCA #3942 / SWHF #988

I luv those unrelieved early N Target Stocks.. Now you got a handle on that Thang LOL..