Model 1950 Target

[old pipefitter]

There's a real nice 1950 Target for sale on an auction site. I'm kind of interested in it but min bid is $2200. seller says 98% with bright bluing. Too high or not ? there is not very many showing up for sale. Seems a little high to me

 

[andy52]

Depends on the caliber and condition. I have a 1950 .45 acp that cost me way less that that a year ago it's a shooter grade gun. The same person I bought the .45 from also had a 1950 .44 SPL in pristine condition that he wanted 2000 for.

 

[lamarw]

I paid almost $1600.00 back in February for one. I would rate it closer to 90 to 95% without box. I did have to pony up 10% sales tax, but there was no buyer's premium or shipping/FFL cost. It also has the bright blue finish and is in .45 ACP.

I would think $2200.00 is not bad if it is 98%, but % ratings are often questionable without seeing it yourself. But auctions might go higher and there is the buyers premium and other cost to consider.

Only 2,768 produced and there has to be fewer still with us. They really jumped in the "Standard Catalog Of Smith & Wesson" between the 2nd & 4th Ed. (15 years). In Excellent condition the guide jumped from $675.00 to $3200.00.

 

[22hipower]

If truly 98% with original bright blue with original target stocks (or magnas numbered to it) and in 44 Special $2200 isn't too bad. I've got one from 1955 with magnas numbered to the gun so some came that way. Earlier ones might have had non-relieved diamond targets. If in 45 ACP, maybe a little less but not much. I paid about $1600 for one in a little less than 98%, 45 ACP with period magna stocks but not numbered to the gun, a couple years ago. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCa #1457

 

[Hondo44]

If it's an original bright blue, it should have the large B following the barrel serial #.

Usually stamped sideways on guns with the barrel shroud because of the curved inner surface of the shroud.

 

[old pipefitter]

Thanks for the input guys

 

[DCWilson]

I don't think $2200 is bad, but it may not be enough to win the day. Five years ago I picked up a non-bright 99% specimen in its original box for $3K, if I recall, or maybe a little more.

I love these guns. Remember that including the model-marked production there were only 2600 of them assembled -- fewer even than the number of K-32s produced, and we all know what they can sell for.

 

[Muley Gil]

Is this a .44 Special or a .45 ACP revolver?

 

[one eye joe]

There's a real nice 1950 Target for sale on an auction site. I'm kind of interested in it but min bid is $2200. seller says 98% with bright bluing. Too high or not ? there is not very many showing up for sale. Seems a little high to me

I HAVE PAID MORE THAN I HAVE WANTED TO, FOR NICE SPECIMENS OF GUNS THAT I HAD BEEN SEARCHING FOR.....

MY EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN THAT THE STING OF THE PRICE IS SOON ERASED BY THE PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP, AND JOY OF SHOOTING THE GUN.

IF YOU REALLY WANT IT, JUST BUY IT ! ! ! YOU MAY NEVER SEE A NICER ONE FOR SALE---AND IF YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOSE......

 

[daddy bear]

In the '69-'74 time frame, I had access to S&W, and several other brands, at wholesale prices. There were 1950 and 1955 Targets on the shelf and I paid them no attention. Apparently, they were slow movers, so I wasn't the only dumbbell. I have no idea how long they had been I n stock.

Jack

Add: A local PD guy on the east end of my district was smarter than some gave him credit for. He carried a 4" chambered for .45ACP loaded with .45 Auto Rim. I admired his choice then, but we were issued 28s. JT

 

[bgrafsr]

I got this one in 2010 and paid $1400.00 for it. Thought I paid too much, but I'm sure the value has gone up.

 

[mm93]

I purchased my Model 1950 Target from the original owner. It came with the box, papers, etc., plus original 1951 receipt. It also came with an extra barrel and cylinder that the owner said he bought, "Just in case I ever shot it out." The barrel and cylinder are unfired, and never installed.
I paid close to $2,000 and felt it was a bargain with everything it came with. Wish he'd kept the receipt for that extra barrel and cylinder too!

 

[SRG]

As it's been said in the past about high grade collectibles " You don't pay to much, you just pay to soon"

 

[daddio202]

I spend quite a bit of time looking through the big auction site while walking my dog every day. Right now there is a 25-2 on there listed at 98% with target stocks that says "45 CAL. MODEL 1955"on right side of barrel in 45 acp. The buy now is $1299. I figured if I was in the market for one this looks to be a fairly good deal. Because it's a live auction I can not go into any more details.

 

[S&W ucla]

I purchased my Model 1950 Target from the original owner. It came with the box, papers, etc., plus original 1951 receipt. It also came with an extra barrel and cylinder that the owner said he bought, "Just in case I ever shot it out." The barrel and cylinder are unfired, and never installed.
I paid close to $2,000 and felt it was a bargain with everything it came with. Wish he'd kept the receipt for that extra barrel and cylinder too!

Welcome to the forum.
Is the other bbl a 5"? Are they SN'd to the gun as well? Neat combo!!

 

[mm93]

Welcome to the forum.
Is the other bbl a 5"? Are they SN'd to the gun as well? Neat combo!!

Thank you!
No, both barrels are 6.5", and the barrel and cylinder on the gun are serial numbered to the gun. The brand new spare barrel and cylinder are not serial numbered at all, which would be consistent with parts sold separately by S&W.
The owner was a Navy Commander who shot at Camp Perry on the Navy team. I also purchased his Remington-Rand 1911A1 Camp Perry pistol. Like the 1950 Target .38, his 1911 is in excellent condition. It came with 3 extra NM barrels, and 8 extra magazines. Also an .22 Ace conversion LNIB with 1965 receipt in the box.

 

[jw mathews]

Interesting thread with useful price info. The OP did not mention caliber, which may have some bearing on value. The books state that some 5000+ 1950 Targets were made in 44 Special. I don't have the books handy to my computer, but I think the number in .45ACP was smaller. I knew target shooters who liked the 38 Outdoorsman 1950 models for centerfire matches but don't recall the number of those made either.

 

[mm93]

Not sure of numbers either. But a 6.5" .38/44 or Model 1950 in .38 with 6.5" is a pretty rare version compared to larger calibers. And the .38 in 6.5" does get a pretty good premium.

 

[lamarw]

One of these, a Pre-Model 26, just sold a few days ago at the Rock Island Arsenal Auction. It sold for $2,250.00. In case it was sold on the internet the auction premium was 21.5% with a 3.5% cash payment discount. The listing state 99% condition, but I question the condition rating since one stock had a chip and there was a turn line and handling marks. There was no box listed but it did come with a Letter. I do not think it stated bright blue finish.

 

[mm93]

Supica's book lists 6,059 total .38/44 Outdoorsman Model 1950 built from 1950-57. This includes early ones with the upper sideplate screw (5 screw 1950-54) and the later 1955-57 with sideplate screw deleted. (4 screw) I would gues most collectors would pay extra for a 5 screw, and of course an original box, tools, and papers adds a lot to collector interest on any gun.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

When I bought this Outdoorsman, I didn’t know that much about 4-5 Screw, etc.
I was buying guns that I liked!

 

[mm93]

Another picture of my S&W with it's original box and instruction sheet.

 

[boatbum101]

My pre 23 ODM 5 screw will outshoot any K38 I've ever shot . I can even shoot 38/44 loads in it . Only my Colt OMM will outshoot it with 148 HBWC loads , the ODM outshoots the Colt with 158's though .

 

[H Richard]

The Pre23 is a joy to shoot. Like holding a laser beam.

 

[Kinman]

I've paid what some would consider too much for an early Model of 1955 from a forum member that answered my desire to own one. I had lost out on a few auctions and tired of the game just bought what I wanted, I do not regret my decision.
I lucked into a Pre Model 23 with matching magnas and box myself, trading a 1911 that I was into a little over $600...sometimes your just lucky or have good timing, otherwise you pay your money and take your choice.

 

[one eye joe]

1 !

I purchased my Model 1950 Target from the original owner. It came with the box, papers, etc., plus original 1951 receipt. It also came with an extra barrel and cylinder that the owner said he bought, "Just in case I ever shot it out." The barrel and cylinder are unfired, and never installed.
I paid close to $2,000 and felt it was a bargain with everything it came with. Wish he'd kept the receipt for that extra barrel and cylinder too!

WOW---WHAT AN AMAZING PACKAGE ! ! !

 

[mm93]

WOW---WHAT AN AMAZING PACKAGE ! ! !

Thanks! The original gold box was recently located by the original owner's daughter, and she got it to me when she found it amongst his things. That was pretty exciting news when she told me she'd found it!

 

[Hondo44]

Thanks! The original gold box was recently located by the original owner's daughter, and she got it to me when she found it amongst his things. That was pretty exciting news when she told me she'd found it!

How cool is that! Did you send her a photo of the tools? She just might be able to locate those as well amongst his shop or gun cleaning stuff.

 

[mm93]

How cool is that! Did you send her a photo of the tools? She just might be able to locate those as well amongst his shop or gun cleaning stuff.

No, but since I got my Model 59 from her also, I showed her the tools in that box and she knows what to look for now. The cleaning rods are easy to find, but as you probably know that correct early style screwdriver is tough to locate, and extremely expensive to buy! And I wouldn't want the later screwdriver, as it's just not correct for this gun.