Model 24-3 question.

[T. McIntyre]

Morning all,

Did S&W ever produce a 5" Model 24-3?

TIA

TM

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

I've seen 3, 4, and 6.5 inch - 3's , but never a 5-inch. If there is such a thing it is not common. Measure from the cylinder face to the muzzle.

 

[T. McIntyre]

KC,

That is what I recall as well. I am a long time S&W shooter, as well as N Frame fan.

 

[BUFF]

The new SCS&W IV says, discussing the Model 24-3 and later guns, that 5 and 5-1/2 inch are rare. I think that is wording that was just carried over from the discussion of the earlier 1950 Target / Model 24 in previous editions of the SCS&W. There were 5 inch 1950 Targets made, mine was shipped in 1952. Also, in discussing the variations produced of the 24-3 and later guns and their product codes, no 5 inchers are mentioned. I have asked on the S&W Collectors Association side of this site if anybody has ever seen a 5-1/2 incher, but nobody had.

A couple of folks on this site have had their 24-3's bobbed to 5 inches and, like the Models 27 and 29, they make great holster guns.

 

[Peak53]

This 24-3 5" exists but unfortunately is not original Someone did a fine job cutting and crowning before I found it. The front sight installation could have been executed a little better, but it is a great shooter.

 

[T. McIntyre]

I came across an individual who has what he claims is a 24-3 5". I never knew them to be a factory option. It appears nicely executed, but for the asking price it would have to be a factory job, before I would shell out that kind of $$.

 

[Peak53]

T.McIntyre
Why does he think it is a factory 5"? Or does he? I don't believe, so far, that anyone has documented one here.

 

[pullstart]

I am hoping I lucked up and found a Model 24-3 with a factory 5" barrel. It has a CC wide hammer and trigger with white outline rear sight.

 

[Grayfox]

I am fortunate enough to own Model 24-3s in 3, 4 and 6 1/2 inch barrels. I've never even heard of 5" gun. SCSW makes no mention of them.

Pullstart: That barrel just doesn't look right to me. I believe its a cut down 6 1/2. I got my gun out and the rollmark on my 6 1/2" is in the exact same position as your's.

 

[pullstart]

I will try to post more photos of the barrel later today. It looks extremely clean and mint at the muzzle. If this was cut down and re-blued I would be impressed by the person who made this happen to say the least. Thanks.

 

[pullstart]

I have never lettered a Smith only a few Colts. Is there a number to call or way to letter a Smith?

 

[Krogen]

Show us the front sight from the muzzle. 24-3 front sights were one with the barrel. If it shows a separately attached sight, well… it was probably cut down. By the factory? Probably unlikely.

 

[Marshal Tom]

I think it has been re-barreled with an earlier .44sp. barrel.

 

[22hipower]

I'm guessing a cut down barrel but can't say for sure. Here's a picture of my 24-3 6.5 inch barrel and one of my 1950 pre-24s. Based on these pictures, it's going to be difficult to tell much based on the placement of the barrel stamping although the OPs seems more like my 1950 stamp placement than the 24-3. . .to me anyway. Maybe seeing the front sight and crown will confirm.

And yes, you can get a S&W Letter of Authenticity:

Letter Process – Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2noBgnC https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2noDGFm https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[pullstart]

I took photos indoors and outdoors. Let me know if these photos are good enough to make a judgement call.

 

[pullstart]

Jeff, thanks for the link to the factory letter. I will wait to hear what the experts have to say before sending off for a letter.

 

[Walter Rego]

My guess is cut down. The front sight doesn't look like anything Smith & Wesson produced.

 

[Buford57]

That front sight just does not look right. I had a 4" when they first came out in 1984 and my buddy a 6". Lew Horton got a run of RB 3" made a year or two later. None of the sights looked like that. If a 5" had been available I'd have held out for it.

 

[Krogen]

It is cutdown. The front sight base is not a factory profile and is a separate piece attached to the barrel rib. The sight base on 24-3 barrels is an integral part of the rib. The sight blade may or may not be a separate piece pinned to the base.

My 4" 24-3 has a sight blade that is part of the base, the base is part of the barrel; not separate pieces. My 6 1/2" and 3" 24-3's have a sight base that's part of the barrel, but the sight blade is separate and pinned to the base.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

My guess is cut down. The front sight doesn't look like anything Smith & Wesson produced.

Cut down. Front sight is ill fitted to the rib......Like others I have the 3-4-6 1/2" 24's and reading and searching. There never was a factory 24-3 with 5 in. barrel.