Lettered Pre-21 with Target sights

[Jim Watson]

I'm mystified. The gun letters as a .44 but it has the appearance of a rebored .357. I'm thinking an independent customizer got hold of it after S&W put on the adjustable sight.

 

[Truckman]

44 magnums will not chamber.

The mystery deepens, or in this case gets more shallow......Ben

 

[22hipower]

Here is the letter.

The letter says it went back to have the sights added but no date for that. There should be service department stamps on the butt, at least a date(s) in a format such as 10.55 (Oct. 1955) or some such. And maybe some stamps indicating a refinish or parts change at that time; maybe a diamond <> in the ejector rod housing near the SN? Pictures of the butt, especially left side, without the grips on please.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Muley Gil]

My guess would be a .44 Magnum cylinder...The cylinder photo posted by the OP above indicates the depth of the chambers are magnum depth......Ben

Unless a .44 Magnum cylinder was shortened, it isn't the same length as a factory .44 Magnum cylinder.

If a .44 Magnum cylinder had been fitted to this revolver, it would have been much easier to shorten the rear of the barrel rather than turning down the cylinder to the length of a M27/28 one.

 

[hkcavalier]

Scratching my head...if it shipped as a .44 Special, why apply new barrel markings?

 

[daddio202]

Should there not be <> service dept. stamp? As said earlier should be date stamp under grips too.

 

[Nightowl]

Would a pre 21 barrel even have a rib to checker? I thought they would be the round barrel with a half round front sight?

Sure looks like a pre 27 barrel to me!

 

[Muley Gil]

Would a pre 21 barrel even have a rib to checker? I thought they would be the round barrel with a half round front sight?

Sure looks like a pre 27 barrel to me!

The military barrel has been replaced with a target barrel. Note the electro-pencil serial number in the shroud and the diamond stamp.

 

[Retired W4]

Magnified the shroud and the number is definitely electric pencil applied, and I think I see the diamond.

 

[mtgianni]

In any case it is a great looking revolver and I would be happy to own and shoot it.

 

[hkcavalier]

The military barrel has been replaced with a target barrel. Note the electro-pencil serial number in the shroud and the diamond stamp.

*slaps forehead* of course...I took the letter too literally, like S&W just added a target sight to the existing barrel. It clearly is a new barrel.

Now for the recessed charge holes mystery...

 

[ronnymc204]

Deep Dive

I helped my friend submit a request to the SWHF for a Historical Deep Dive letter. He received an email today stating his revolver was shipped to a customer in Quantico, Va on 3/24/54. The order was for 8 revolvers for the NRA convention. No further details right now. Maybe something else will show up.