Lightning Does Strike Twice in the Same Spot

Pizza Bob

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Last April I won a beautiful 27-2 with a 5" barrel at a small local auction. I took a chance, because the description left much to be desired. I was overjoyed when I got the actual gun. Here it is now (I added the Holly stocks)...

27-2-5A.jpg


About a week ago I got an e-mail from this same auction house informing me of an upcoming firearms auction. These people buy estates and there is usually much "chaff" to wade through to get to that one kernel of wheat. But this time that "kernel" paid off big-time. Here's what I found...

1950-44-Trgt-I.jpg


From ca 1955, that is a 1950 HE (4th Model) Target in .44 S&W Special. And you can see the "cherry on top"...it's wearing Cokes.

The auction was today and I won that gun for what I figure to be about 50% of it's value. It is a high polish blue and the Cokes are in great shape, as is the rest of the gun.

Almost my birthday, I gotta figure my old shooting buddy Leo (RIP) is up there looking out for me.

Adios,

Pizza Bob
 
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You may want to letter that Pre Model 24 HE. Your gun sports the optional high polish blue as well as a red ramp front sight. Both features are Not common on this gun unless special ordered. I believe a letter would be beneficial to you. Btw you done well on both guns, great finds.
 
Last April I won a beautiful 27-2 with a 5" barrel at a small local auction. I took a chance, because the description left much to be desired. I was overjoyed when I got the actual gun. Here it is now (I added the Holly stocks)...

27-2-5A.jpg


About a week ago I got an e-mail from this same auction house informing me of an upcoming firearms auction. These people buy estates and there is usually much "chaff" to wade through to get to that one kernel of wheat. But this time that "kernel" paid off big-time. Here's what I found...

1950-44-Trgt-I.jpg


From ca 1955, that is a 1950 HE (4th Model) Target in .44 S&W Special. And you can see the "cherry on top"...it's wearing Cokes.

The auction was today and I won that gun for what I figure to be about 50% of it's value. It is a high polish blue and the Cokes are in great shape, as is the rest of the gun.

Almost my birthday, I gotta figure my old shooting buddy Leo (RIP) is up there looking out for me.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

Congrats! However I am confused. I have a 6.5" pre model 24 model of 1950 but mine has the Smith emblem on the right side and the fixed blade front sight not the ramp sight. My grips were advertised as factory unrelieved target. Any help appreciated.
 
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Congrats! However I am confused. I have a 6.5" pre model 24 model of 1950 but mine has the Smith emblem on the right side and the fixed blade front sight not the ramp sight. My grips were advertised as factory unrelieved target. Any help appreciated.

The Patridge front sight was standard on the 1950 Target models. S&W stampings tended to move from side to side.
 
I will likely never forget picking one up from a Colt dealer at a small local show in Montrose years ago. He had gotten it in a trade, was not into them and didn't know much about them. It too had a set of Cokes on it. I was early into the S&W collecting game at the time as well. There was what appeared to be a blood spot on the top of the side plate that bothered the heck out of me so I decided to sell it. Not knowing any better at the time, I sold it with the Cokes, which I should have removed. I think I got it for $600 and sold it for $900. The forum member I sold it to long ago is probably still laughing about that bright move!
 
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