1950 Target .44 Special with 3 1/2" barrel - It Lettered!

[Shotguncoach]

This one was an unexpected but very nice find. I put a placeholder bid of $1500 on it when I first saw the listing appear, but then I honestly forgot about the actual auction. My wife and I were on the highway between Amarillo and Oklahoma City on the way to Grandson #4's first birthday party when the call came in from Rock Island Auction to let me know that I had won.

I am extremely blessed to have an understanding wife who didn't bat an eye at the cost and simply said "I like them. They're always nice to talk to when they call."

Anyway....after a week in Kentucky with the kids and grandbaby, I went to pick up this little beauty from my FFL.

 

[Shotguncoach]

All the numbers match, but the barrel is a bit too short to be standard and the SMITH & WESSON stamp on the barrel is a bit too far forward...all of which tell me that it has been cut. Whoever did the work did a fine job on the crown, blending the rib, and mounting the Baughman front sight. I didn't find any factory return stamps on the frame so we'll have to see what the letter has to say about the original barrel length.

There was also some work done inside that resulted in a beautifully smooth action and an excellent trigger pull. The serrations on the trigger have been thoughtfully smoothed in just the right spots.

I have a feeling that this one should shoot pretty well. It seems to have been set up for serious work and has spent a fair amount of time in a holster. I'll make sure to take good care of it so that it's eventual owner can enjoy it too......

 

[Shotguncoach]

Adding pictures of the frame stamps, stocks, and trigger modifications...

 

[tennexplorer]

With the round headed pins for the front sight, I'd say the revolver was completed and then shortened, either before shipment or returned and then cut. I think the probability is higher it was cut before being shipped.

 

[Truckman]

With the round headed pins for the front sight, I'd say the revolver was completed and then shortened, either before shipment or returned and then cut. I think the probability is higher it was cut before being shipped.

Mine was definitely cut before leaving the factory, and letters that way...Being a single gun order it was cut from 6 1/2" to 5" per customer order before shipment...Then 2 years later went back to be further trimmed to 3 1/2"...I have the original 5" marked box it shipped in...Mine is less than a hundred digits older than yours, and has been pining for its long lost younger brother for years...I'm perfectly willing to adopt yours just to keep peace in the family......Ben

 

[murphydog]

Cool gun! Letter and (hopefully) service order time!

 

[Club Gun Fan]

I'm not asking for more work, but!!!!!!

 

[Truckman]

I'm not asking for more work, but!!!!!!

I thought I kept you busy enough already, Don......Ben

 

[Shotguncoach]

I'm not asking for more work, but!!!!!!

LOL!! Have no fear Don...The letter request was in Mike's inbox before I put up the post.

 

[jrog100]

WOW, I love it. And you got it cheap too!!!

 

[Shotguncoach]

...Mine is less than a hundred digits older than yours, and has been pining for its long lost younger brother for years...I'm perfectly willing to adopt yours just to keep peace in the family......Ben

Serial number checks were one of the first things I did when I got it home. This one is 5 digits away from one of the other guns listed on my "These guns for Elmer Keith" invoice, and as you said, less than a hundred off from yours. All those searches for "Truckman 1950" last night were me trying to find the serial number on your 3.5" gun.

Arizona has a beautiful climate for guns. I'm sure that the older brother would enjoy spending some time with his sibling. I'll be in Houston in January so I'll just stop by and pick it up while I'm there.....

 

[Shotguncoach]

A few more pictures...

There is no <>S stamp inside the ejector rod shroud. The holster/carry wear on the sideplate does not match the condition of the right stock panel. Usually when I see a sideplate with scratches like that it's accompanied by a dinged up and chipped right stock panel. I'm ok with it though, because whoever decided to replace the stocks chose un-numbered non-relieved diamond targets that fit the gun extremely well. I just happen to have a set of N frame Herrett Jordan Trooper stocks that will go onto it for carry duty.

 

[El Juero]

What would the S stamp in extractor cut tell me? Sorry but not as knowledgable.

 

[Shotguncoach]

This morning I had time to finish the new acquisition inspection and found a couple of things that needed fixing.

First up, it failed both the rear gauge and endshake tests. The .068" rear gauge gauge (that's so much more fun to say than headspace gauge) slipped right in, and there was at least .009" of endshake. I say 'at least' because without the wedge the barrel to cylinder gap was .009", and with the wedge there was contact between the cylinder and the barrel. Not so good.

Happily both issues were fixed with the help of a simple shim. After installing the shim our rear gauge was in spec and the endshake was .003".

The next issue was .017" of runout on the ejector rod. A few minutes in the jig got it down to .004" and I called that good because I was chasing my tail moving the high spot from one side to the other.

 

[Shotguncoach]

Happily the yoke alignment was spot on and the gauge slipped in and out easily with moving the cylinder release.

The internal components looked beautiful and just got a light oiling. After running a patch through the barrel and chambers and installing the Herret stocks we were ready for our first range trip. The converted 38/44 also has a new set of shoes so it's going along to keep it's new found cousin company.

With the new stocks the stubby little guy looks all business and ready to take on anything.

Range report later today!

 

[Shotguncoach]

What would the S stamp in extractor cut tell me? Sorry but not as knowledgable.

It's a service stamp...I have one that was originally a 6 1/2" barrel that was converted to a 4" after it was shipped. The S<> stamp is inside the ejector rod shroud on that one.

 

[Doc44]

I posted on the S&WCA Forum previously the records of S&W list six 1950 44 Targets shipped with a 3 1/2-inch barrel. You may have found one of them .

Bill

 

[Claymore33]

That is a short barrel for a big caliber.

 

[Doc44]

How about a 44 Magnum with a 3 1/4-inch barrel? Click on the photo for a closer look.

Bill

 

[Shotguncoach]

I posted on the S&WCA Forum previously the records of S&W list six 1950 44 Targets shipped with a 3 1/2-inch barrel. You may have found one of them .

Bill

You and Don are not helping my blood pressure today, Bill.

Whether it's one of six or just another 6 1/2" gun that fell into a bandsaw, I can tell you that it shoots very well. Either way it's a keeper.