Model 24-5 Heritage Series, Case Colored

[NCBeagle]

Inspired by Burnston's recent thread about .44 Special revolvers and a few pictures posted elsewhere by colt_saa and Bullet Bob, I bought this nearly perfect Heritage Series Model 24-5, case colored. No box.

My friends at Carolina Sporting Arms often call when an interesting revolver hits the "used" counter. Today, it was this Model 24-5 and they gave me a super deal. Could not let the opportunity pass.

The photos do not do it justice. The coloring is quite nice. My photos are not great. I am going to shoot it. Probably need larger grips for the range.

 

[TJm15.38]

That's a very unique piece; congratulations. In 1983 I bought a 24-3 when they reintroduced the gun as remake of the 1950 model .44 Target. I guess I don't recall when these Heritage revolvers were offered, but I sure like that case colored frame and the round-butt grip with the old-style wood. Love this one.

 

[22hipower]

Nice, got to love those 44s. Enjoy.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[FRANKZ28]

You've made an excellent buy there and if I'm not mistaken the color case hardening was done by Doug Turnbull.

 

[NCBeagle]

You've made an excellent buy there and if I'm not mistaken the color case hardening was done by Doug Turnbull.

That's right, on the Heritage Series.

 

[Miami_JBT]

Very nice. I have the 29-9 Heritage in nickel. Came with larger target style grips. I put those grips away and put on a pair of Pachmayr Presentations instead.

The Heritage series is literally the last N-Frames to ever leave the factory without the lock. For example, the 29-8 was the introduction of the lock. But my gun is marked a 29-9.

The reason is simple. The contract for the guns was made with Lew Horton before the locks. And when Saf-T-Hammer purchased S&W from Tomkins PLC, Saf-T-Hammer honored the contract since it was a very small run of no-lock guns.

These guns are in my personal opinion, the prime example that Big Blue can make a proper lock-free gun, if they chose to. Because internally (other than all the hand fitting and fluff & buff that goes into a PC gun), the Heritage series is the same as a current production N-Frame.

 

[Tom S.]

Very nice. I have the 29-9 Heritage in nickel. Came with larger target style grips. I put those grips away and put on a pair of Pachmayr Presentations instead.

The Heritage series is literally the last N-Frames to ever leave the factory without the lock. For example, the 29-8 was the introduction of the lock. But my gun is marked a 29-9.

The reason is simple. The contract for the guns was made with Lew Horton before the locks. And when Saf-T-Hammer purchased S&W from Tomkins PLC, Saf-T-Hammer honored the contract since it was a very small run of no-lock guns.

These guns are in my personal opinion, the prime example that Big Blue can make a proper lock-free gun, if they chose to. Because internally (other than all the hand fitting and fluff & buff that goes into a PC gun), the Heritage series is the same as a current production N-Frame.

Could it be that S&W looks at from a different perspective? Perhaps if someone approaches them and says "We'd like to purchase 1000 Model XX without locks for resale by our company" S&W would comply? After all, that is what Lipsey did, is it not?

 

[Pizza Bob]

I was lucky and picked-up my 24-5 about 5 years ago for about half of the current going rate. The early ones (mine is #25 of the 150 produced) were shipped in PC aluminum cases. Not sure at what point they switched to the gold Heritage Series boxes.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[Miami_JBT]

Could it be that S&W looks at from a different perspective? Perhaps if someone approaches them and says "We'd like to purchase 1000 Model XX without locks for resale by our company" S&W would comply? After all, that is what Lipsey did, is it not?

Big Blue has stated they won't do anything but a Centennial J-Frame without the lock. Doesn't matter how many guns are ordered.

 

[SmithNut]

The Heritage guns were well made, and costly at that. The case hardening was extremely well done by Doug Turnbull.

Unfortunately they came at the time when the gun community at large continued to boycott S&W over the deal with the gubment.....

Here's the case colored ones I had, all with my favorite serial number - 13.

Unfortunately these left the collection when I was downsizing back then.

Oh well, you can't take them with you....

Gotta love them pencil barrels....

Click on the pic for a larger view.....