1950 Military .44 Special

[whelenshooter]

I recently purchased a 5-screw, 4-inch Smith & Wesson 1950 Military (pre Model 21) .44 Special with the original box and owners manual and original grips numbered to the gun. I was shocked to even see the gun! It is in 98% plus condition. The father of the guy who owned it bought it brand new in 1956 to use for bear protection, then put it away when the first .44 magnum showed up in Juneau a month or two later. There is one tiny spot of holster wear near the muzzle on one side, but if it was fired, it was fired darned few times because there is no outline of the cartridge heads in the bluing on the recoil shield that you usually see. The gun came with an extra set of magna-style stag grips that are a bit too big for my hand, so I put the original wood ones back on. I paid $2255.00. Did I do OK, or did I pay too much? I fell in love with it instantly, and the guy knew he had me.

 

[whelenshooter]

I recently purchased a 5-screw, 4-inch Smith & Wesson 1950 Military (pre Model 21) .44 Special with the original box and owners manual and original grips numbered to the gun. I was shocked to even see the gun! It is in 98% plus condition. The father of the guy who owned it bought it brand new in 1956 to use for bear protection, then put it away when the first .44 magnum showed up in Juneau a month or two later. There is one tiny spot of holster wear near the muzzle on one side, but if it was fired, it was fired darned few times because there is no outline of the cartridge heads in the bluing on the recoil shield that you usually see. The gun came with an extra set of magna-style stag grips that are a bit too big for my hand, so I put the original wood ones back on. I paid $2255.00. Did I do OK, or did I pay too much? I fell in love with it instantly, and the guy knew he had me.

 

[SLT223]

Sounds like a awsome acquisition. I sure woul dliike to see some pictures of it if you can post any. I"m little to green when it comes to the value of older Smiths to know how good deal it is, but I would sur elove to see it.

 

[keith44spl]

Really like to see her...
Great revolver.

Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[whelenshooter]

I've never posted photos before, but I'll try. I have a meeting in a few minutes (I'm on the board of the local rifle range), so I won't be able to do it before tomorrow.

 

[DCWilson]

I think that's a reasonable price -- or maybe the more accurate thing to say is that I would have paid that price for that revolver regardless of whether someone else considered the deal reasonable or not. I have paid almost that much for uncommon N-frames of similar age and condition. Those Almost-New guns in the box from the company's postwar and midcentury production are just inescapable magnets for me. I understand why you had to have this gun.

I also would love to see photos of this revolver. Congratulations on what sounds like a spectacular acquisition.

David Wilson

 

[wilshire1412]

I would pay that much for a pre 21 with a 4 in. barrel in the condition you describe. I know where there is a model marked 21 available for about $1000 that I will not even think about since it has been butchered up very badly, the good ones are always worth spending the money for.

 

[jeremyws1]

As described, I would have made the deal without blinking. Good job! Now, where are the pictures?

 

[crofoot629]

I had a 4" boxed pre 21 in similar condition.

You paid a very fair price. You could easily get your money out of it. As you most likey know there were only 1200 total made , with the 4" guns the most scarce.

Emory

 

[jeremyws1]

crofoot629, I believe the 4" is the most common length followed by 5" and 6.5".

 

[whelenshooter]

Isn't there an easier way to put photos on this thing than to join photobucket? It seems like a lot of screwing around to me just to put a photo somewhere. I don't WANT to be any more computer literate than I am. Why can't I just copy and paste the darned things in place?

 

[gunbarrel]

Originally posted by whelenshooter:
Isn't there an easier way to put photos on this thing than to join photobucket? It seems like a lot of screwing around to me just to put a photo somewhere. I don't WANT to be any more computer literate than I am. Why can't I just copy and paste the darned things in place?

Because it won't work.

I use http://www.tinypic.com/ -- it's easy.

1. Click on the link listed right above.

2. When you get there, click on the "File" rectangle. Your cursor will start blinking.

3. Next, click on "Browse" and find the file in your computer.

4. Click on the file and then on "Open."

5. Next, click on "Upload Now!"

6. When the list of links pop up, copy the one that says "IMG Code for Forums & Message Boards."

7. Paste it on to the body of your message.

You are done--it's easy.

Hope this helps.

GB

 

[will5a1]

Looking forward to pictures, and I think that was a great price - the box is a real plus.

Did it come with any factory cleaning kit/ tools?

 

[Texas Star]

Gosh...and to think that there are guys on this forum who squeal like stuck pigs if they think they paid ten bucks too much for a really nice M-60!

I think you'll like that gun. Going to shoot it any, or just keep it as a piece of history?

T-Star

 

[crofoot629]

I no longer own either of these guns, but here ya go!
Here is a nice boxed one.

And a pair of 4" Pre-21's, one with after market sights.

and the 4inchers are the most scarce

, and depending on condition you may have paid about 1/2 price for your example.

Come on, get them pics up!

Emory

 

[jeremyws1]

crofoot629, there is no way there are more 1950 Pre-21 6.5"ers than 4"ers. This is my proposed breakdown from personal experience and research:

4" - 50% (maybe more)
5" - 40%
6.5" - 10% (maybe less)

I could be off, so I would like to hear what other members think.

 

[whelenshooter]

Here goes my try at posting the photos... I'm not the worlds greatest photographer, so if anyone has suggestions as to how I can shoot better ones, I'd appreciate them. Thank you, Gunbarrel, for your directions. They seem clearer than the Photobucket directions.

I appreciate everyone's input. I felt that I did OK on the deal. Since I didn't like the stag grips, I traded them, plus another set of stag grips I'd paid $20.00 for a couple of years ago, and a Charter Arms Bulldog .44 Special for an almost new S&W 396 Night Guard .44 Special. Since I didn't like either set of grips, I was as happy as a clam! I might have been able to get more money for the grips if I had sold them on-line, but I made the other guy, who I consider a good friend, very happy and I don't feel I really lost any money on the deal.

I took some pictures of the box, pamphlet and accessories that came with the gun. If people want to see them I'd be glad to post them. I don't want to do it if people aren't interested.

Can anyone tell me if the screwdriver the guy gave me is correct for the time period? He said it came with the gun, but I would have thought that a gun from that time period might have come with a different screwdriver. I don't know that much about the accessories that came with older S&W revolvers, and I would apprecite the information.

 

[jeremyws1]

whelenshooter, I believe your 98+% estimate is right on. I've seen similar packages sell (not just the asking price) for around $4000. Well done!

 

[gunbarrel]

Whelenshooter,

You are welcome. Hey, that's a real beauty--congrats!!

GB

 

[will5a1]

That is one outstanding buy - I am green with envy, you did exceptionally well.