Model of 1950 44HE 4"

[Summersteel]

Recently, I was able to pick up this gun, and I'm extremely happy with it! Not perfect, so it should fit right in with the rest of what I have in the safe. I had never seen one of these 4" models before seeing this one, and I now understand these are not all that common to find with the 4" barrel. Serial number is S140xxx. Roy said it shipped Oct 1955.
Probably have to get a letter.
It came with the Magna grips, which do not number to the gun. They look nice, but I like the others too. Thanks to VM (Mike) for the target grips!
Enjoy!

 

[.44 Fan]

Nice score! Those bone grips look real good on that gun.

 

[quinn]

That is way cool! I made a stab at buying a 4" pre 24 but was outbid QUICKLY! Congrats, that is a beaut!

 

[Kinman]

Grail gun for me, congratulations on your acquisition. I'd be in a fix if I ever ran into a birth year.

 

[bill-in-texas]

Very nice, indeed!
Congratulations!
Having just picked up my first Pre-24 last week, (6.5") I've noticed at least a couple with lower serial numbers than mine that shipped in the following months. It just serves to reinforce the adage "guns didn't necessarily ship in serial number order."
Mine (146xxx) shipped in July, 1955 according to Roy and came wearing post '55 "football" target stocks.
Yours looks fantastic in any stocks!
-Bill

 

[S&W ucla]

They are a little hard to find, but well worth the effort. You found a GREAT one! I like both grips, but you do need a nice floral carved Heiser or Lawrence to go with it!

 

[Summersteel]

They are a little hard to find, but well worth the effort. You found a GREAT one! I like both grips, but you do need a nice floral carved Heiser or Lawrence to go with it!

I couldn't agree more!
I don't have any floral (YET), but it looks pretty nice in Idaho Leather.

 

[Chukar60]

Congratulations!!
I have quit buying firearms but if I had run across that one I would have broke my fast.
Very nice gun

 

[S&W ucla]

That's a fine looking holster, but a couple other accoutrements are also required. 10 Gallon Stetson and some Ceegars

 

[catcher79]

The 4" gun was always a grail gun for me. For years, if I found one, I had no funds. Then if I had funds, I could never find one. In the past few years, through good luck and perseverance, I now have three 4's and three 6.5's. One of the 4's is a birth month & year gun. I'm a happy camper.

 

[Peak53]

I'm a think'in I like the non-relieved targets on that beauty

 

[jack the toad]

Very nice OP.
Not a pre- but best shooting .44 Spec I've got...

 

[Engine49guy]

That's a very nice cornerstone if you are a 4" five screw collector that IMO goes with the 4" pre 27. Pre 28 and Pre 29.
Imo that's not a gun you beat up or shoot regularly if you lucked into it on the cheap because you can sell it to a collector trying to fill out his 5 screw N frame collection then buy a mountain gun with enough left over to buy a 1k rd case of ammo.
Five screw pre 24's, pre 27's and pre 29's are collectors pieces and getting harder to find as time goes on.

 

[DGNY]

A most admirable find in every respect. Thanks for sharing.

We also admire your taste in supplemental stocks/grips and the timeless Idaho leather. Even Elmer would be offering his compliments!