OP
Thank you Bill!
1950 Model 44 Target treasure hunt
- Thread starter cruiserdan
- Start date
Thank you Bill!
OP
After an extended search of the house I came up empty on the SAT. With the help of two forum members I was able to obtain a correct SAT and also a set of period target grips. Although the grips are not "original" to this gun I really like the way it turned out.
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AudieMurphy
Member
Enough of this hide and seek stuff.....When are we going to get a range report!
Typical S&W I guess. Don't have the right box? No problimo. Just slap a sticker on the side and ship it out. Congrats on putting it all together with that great 44. My 4th Model 44 Target of 1950, S103781, shipped April, 1954 with the satin blue finish. It's one of my favorite guns.
It does not fit in the box with the NRT's.
It does not fit in the box with the NRT's.
Attachments
My 1950 target (45) came with a maroon box. Another lets use what we have moment.
Pizza Bob
Member
Mine came a little before yours - S141XXX. Yours is wonderfully complete. Once I take possession of mine (this is NJ so in limbo for a bit) I will letter it. The .45 is earlier, S84XXX ca 1952.
Adios,
Pizza Bob
Before ~1955 the standard finish on most S&Ws was the satin blue. The
Bright blue could be ordered for extra cost. Those were stamped with a larger capital B.
LARGER ‘B’ WITH OR W/O SERIFS FOR POST WWII OPTIONAL BRIGHT BLUE FINISH:
the bright blue finish was an option in the post war satin blue era up to ~1955. Always look for the large font 'B' sometimes with serifs, following the barrel serial # in the extractor rod housing which can be seen with the cylinder opened. It can be stamped sideways if on the curved surface inside the barrel shroud. It is a larger B than the one that precedes the serial # used to simply indicate an originally blued gun. The large B will usually also be found stamped on left side grip frame and/or on cyl under the extractor star; generally discontinued around 1955 when the bright blue finish became standard again.
Look for the large B and let us know if you find it or not.
Bright blue could be ordered for extra cost. Those were stamped with a larger capital B.
LARGER ‘B’ WITH OR W/O SERIFS FOR POST WWII OPTIONAL BRIGHT BLUE FINISH:
the bright blue finish was an option in the post war satin blue era up to ~1955. Always look for the large font 'B' sometimes with serifs, following the barrel serial # in the extractor rod housing which can be seen with the cylinder opened. It can be stamped sideways if on the curved surface inside the barrel shroud. It is a larger B than the one that precedes the serial # used to simply indicate an originally blued gun. The large B will usually also be found stamped on left side grip frame and/or on cyl under the extractor star; generally discontinued around 1955 when the bright blue finish became standard again.
Look for the large B and let us know if you find it or not.
OP
If this question is directed to me, There is no "B" present in any of the locations you outlined. There is a "4S" on the left grip frame.
I haven't requested the letter yet but the 147,000 number range suggests 1955-56. My father-in-law bought it in September 1959. his 97+ year-old memory recalls it was "new". He never sent it in for any work. I have the purchase documents so I know who the selling dealer was. If the letter shows shipment to that dealer then there is a fair chance it was indeed "new".
OP
Since you brought it up. I found a fair amount of brass, dies, and cast bullets. I also found some factory rounds, One really old box and a couple from the 1970s. I plan to shoot the stuff from the 70s. Of course I'm saving the boxes and brass.
He shot this a fair amount and carried it (I have the holster). Me shooting it a bit doesn't really change it much. What's the old saying? A slice of a cut loaf is never missed...
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What a beauty!
I just have the gun, no extras.
The letter says mine (S146xxx) shipped July of 1955 with Target Stocks...
but, I'm told not likely these with the "football" cutout, on the revolver when I bought it.
Thanks for sharing.
Here's mine.
-Bill
I just have the gun, no extras.
The letter says mine (S146xxx) shipped July of 1955 with Target Stocks...
but, I'm told not likely these with the "football" cutout, on the revolver when I bought it.
Thanks for sharing.
Here's mine.
-Bill
OP
What a beauty!
I just have the gun, no extras.
The letter says mine (S146xxx) shipped July of 1955 with Target Stocks...
but, I'm told not likely these with the "football" cutout, on the revolver when I bought it.
Thanks for sharing.
Here's mine.
-Bill
My understanding, I certainly could be mistaken, is that the relieved version showed up around 1955-58. Hopefully more learned members can expand on that.
Based on the appearance of your example, I find it odd that the grips would have been changed. Again, just my take.
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I've seen that small cutout on mid-50's guns before...
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