Amongst the Impressive Threads, My Modest N... a Pre-24!

[bill-in-texas]

It's a shooter, folks!
-But I'd still like to share.

Roy says it shipped July, 1955.

Mechanically excellent, it has some bluing loss.
I realize the stocks are post-1955. That's okay. I like the target stocks.

-Bill

S 146029

 

[burneyr]

Beautiful - congrats!

 

[Truckman]

Very nice, Bill...Neither of my recently acquired Models of 1950 .44 Targets wear their original stocks, but they'll receive the same love from me as if they did......Ben

 

[bruce5781]

Nice piece. No apologies needed.

Regards,
Bruce

 

[22hipower]

Looks great, I have one just 28 numbers below yours. Some of S&W's best revolvers ever in my opinion. Enjoy it.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[toad67]

Beautiful, thanks for sharing..

 

[RKmesa]

Great profile on that pre-24. Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[Green Frog]

Nice. Old Skeeter would be proud! I'm going to assume it's fun to shoot, both with mild target loads and the "big boy" hunting loads the 44 Associates used to rave about. Congratulations.

Froggie

 

[Joed49]

Very nice example of a pre-24.

 

[SS336]

That is a way better than a "shooter grade" revolver.
It is a beauty! Would be proud to own that also.

 

[ejjeff]

Beautiful piece of blue steel and wood that most here would be proud to own. Thanks for sharing.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

That's beautiful, and I love the stocks, original or no. I have it's stepchildren - 24-3s in both 4" and 6 1/2". Probably as close as I'll get...

 

[bill-in-texas]

Thanks for all the kind words, everyone.

This was an online "find." As is often the case, the pictures weren't the best and I felt like I was taking a little bit of a gamble. Ironically, even though it was a nationwide listing, it came from relatively close to my home: Canyon Lake, TX. I called the gun store and he said the individual who traded it (for a couple of modern handguns) is a regular. I told the store owner I'm very happy with the purchase and please pass my number along to the original owner -in the long shot event that the original magnas &/or box are anywhere to be found. -You just never know!

I may have downplayed it in the thread title. It actually looks like it's been well-loved and I'm happy to be its steward for a while. The bright blue finish is thin on the high points, as one would expect with a target gun that's seen a bit of use and, I would guess, range time.

I've only given it a light going-over with Hoppe's #9 and Rem Oil. The bore and chambers look good.
Not a scintilla of corrosion, anywhere!

-Bill


A Few More Pictures



Please Pardon the Oily Surface

 

[mikeruns]

Fantastic and congratulations on a very handsome old boy! Me likey!

 

[bill-in-texas]

Very nice, Bill...Neither of my recently acquired Models of 1950 .44 Targets wear their original stocks, but they'll receive the same love from me as if they did......Ben

I got my letter, today. It turns out that my revolver shipped with target stocks, after all!
I don't yet know if I can ever be certain whether or not it shipped with small "football" relief cut target stocks.

-Bill


S 146029 Shipped with Target Stocks!



Letter Makes No Distinction Re: Targets w/Relief Cut

 

[6string]

Very Nice!

The condition is perfect. Just enough prior use to give you "permission" to take her out for some range time fun.
It takes patience and luck to make out this well from an online source.
That's a good letter you have there, too. The model itself in general has an interesting history. And to think yours shipped to NYC!

Thanks for sharing!

 

[22hipower]

Very nice, I don't think many of those shipped with target stocks; great that you have the letter confirming it. I have one quite close to yours (S 146001) which shipped to Rex Firearms NYC on July 20th, 1955 with "checkered walnut grips." Meaning magnas that were numbered to the gun but mine came to me with Sanderson targets. Guess the folks in NYC liked 44s; before they became woke anyway. Enjoy yours, great gun.

Jeff
SWCA #1457