Factory Pinto finish S&W .44 Target Model of 1950 (Pre-Model 24)

[Say When!]

Hi smith-wessonforum.com members:

Happy Friday!

I am a NOVICE collector and I’m fond of “Pinto" finish revolvers.

I’m seeking input from y’all on a Factory Pinto finish S&W .44 Target Model of 1950 (Pre-Model 24) revolver that I purchased yesterday.

I have to admit that it was an impulsive, leap-of-faith purchase on my part. Honestly, I know next to nothing about this model, except what I read on pages 188 & 189 of the Standard Catalog of S&W 4th Edition.

Please see attached S&W authentication letter and pictures and reply with input on it’s:

- Condition

- Originality (especially “Coke” stocks)

- Scarcity &

- Value

Please don’t be bashful about hurting my feelings.

I’m not thin skinned.

Call it as you see it - Positives & Negatives please!!

Thank you in advance for your your valuable expertise.

Kind regards.

 

[handejector]

That's a dandy. Condition appears to be excellent original finish. The cokes appear to be Goncalo, not rosewood.
I would ask Roy to redo the letter because it says "This shipment contained ____ units of this model in the above configuration..."
That would help with your scarcity question. Judging by what I have seen over the decades, I'm GUESSING there are at least a few dozen pinto Pre-24s.
Value is hard to call.

 

[murphydog]

I think Lee said about there is to say. Two-tone guns can sometimes be easily put together from parts, but not a 5" .44 Target 1950 with a nickel barrel and special front sight as mentioned in the letter. Cool gun.

 

[22hipower]

Great find! I've never seen one, didn't know they existed. Can't be many of them. Can't help with value other than to say what one would be worth to me; probably double the gun in the same condition in standard blue finish, perhaps $2500-$3000.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

That is a real beauty! WOW!! And with the letter...you have a winner.

 

[quinn]

I have a Rex Firarms shipped pinto pre 27 that shipped in 1955. I have found several ads where Rex was offering pinto models. Beautiful gun you have sir. Wish it were mine.

 

[jim0383]

That is one of the coolest things I have ever seen on this forum. Enjoy in good health!

 

[Club Gun Fan]

David
Great gun! Yes, as Lee said, send the letter back to us, we'll get it corrected right away. Send it to SWHF, P O Box 669, Warren, MA 01083
Don

 

[bigl1911]

Excellent find Congratulations..

Can you please tell us how you found it. LGS.. Auction... Private Party??

 

[bigmoose]

You hit the Motherlode there. Very cool gun and the red post front sight is certainly the cherry on top. Well done.

As to value- I could see that as a $4000 to $5000 revolver these days. Just sayin'.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

That's one handsome pinto. Congrats.

 

[Dosgatos]

As to value- I could see that as a $4000 to $5000 revolver these days. Just sayin'.

I agree with this estimate. The Pre-Model 24 is fairly rare in itself, but a Pinto in this condition with Cokes?!? I've only run into one Pinto in twenty years of collecting S&Ws, a rough 4" .357 Magnum, which I should NEVER have sold.

 

[Say When!]

bigl1911:

You asked:
"Can you please tell us how you found it. LGS.. Auction... Private Party??”

I stumbled across yesterday 03/18/2021 on guns international.com

Thank you.
Kind regards.

 

[Say When!]

I found this closed sale of Smith and Wesson S&W .44 Target Model of 1950 (Pre-Model 24) Serial# S98115 on gunsinternational.com. The Seller, Salt Lake Collectibles (George Dye) told me the sell price was $9,250 and included a “...proper period box...”. Please see attached S&W authentication letter & pictures.

The S&W .44 Target Model of 1950 (Pre-Model 24) Serial# S99781 that I purchased yesterday does not include a box.

 

[Doc44]

First, a rare a desirable 1950 44 Target. The stocks are not correct as they are coke bottle stocks made of Goncalo alves first introduced in January 1956 with the 44 Magnum. The correct stocks are smooth rosewood target stocks (per the invoice). I realize the letter states checkered rosewood stocks, but I believe this to be incorrect.

Bill

 

[Say When!]

Club Gun Fan:

You stated:
“…send the letter back to us, we'll get it corrected right away. Send it to SWHF, P O Box 669, Warren, MA 01083.”

Will do!

Thank you.
Kind regards.

 

[Doc44]

Shown below are the correct stocks for your 1950 44 Target.

Bill

 

[RKmesa]

Very nice gun!!! Congrats.

I too have a pinto affliction... although most of mine are scratched up some. This Jan 1955 pre-27 also sports a set of post shipment cokes:

Thanks for sharing that beauty.

 

[weatherby]

Very cool gun congratulations.

I like Pinto guns also.
Here is mine.
Sports a short nose from birth and is 45 ACP

 

[mh51]

David,
Not sure you can claim to be a "novice collector" any longer! That's a great example of a rare pinto. Hope your good luck continues in your searches!