Pre 24 3 1/2" .44 SPL--Thoughts needed.

[bravastar1]

A buddy of mine just agreed to purchase this Pre 24. It sure looks like a 3 1/2 inch barrel in this picture. All numbers on the gun match,grips, frame and cylinder. This is the only picture I have that shows the front site which is pinned and some muzzle wear. If it is a cut down job it sure looks good. Lettering on the barrel looks centered to me. I need someone smarter than I am to figure out what this is.

 

[mk70ss]

It’s damn fine whatever it turns out to be

 

[Kansasgunner]

I’m thinking it’s a 4”. Here is a photo of my custom transitional 44 with 3.5” barrel. Barrel started as a 4” Model 1950 44.

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[cgt4570]

Tim,
Unless it's an optical illusion due to camera angle, I'm with Jim. The caliber roll mark is closer to the forcing cone on the suspected 3.5" by about 1/4" than on your custom cut 4".
(Both are gorgeous regardless of how they got that way!)
It could have been re-stamped or even engraved, but I agree, it definitely appears properly centered for a 3.5".

What looks odd and suggests it didn't leave the factory this way is the overly obvious front sight base pins. Most of the time, you can barely see them.
Baughman instead of Patridge front sight is also not typical, but special orders could still be had at that time. Especially by internal management/family or influential external persons.
Examining the rib/sight base junction might give more information.
Definitely worth a letter.

I’m thinking it’s a 4”. Here is a photo of my custom transitional 44 with 3.5” barrel. Barrel started as a 4” Model 1950 44.

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[Kansasgunner]

Chris,
I think you and Jim are correct. I thought I saw more barrel in front of the shroud in Jim’s photo. After looking at a my 4” Model 28 no dash the difference is pretty clear.

 

[Peak53]

I'm going with replaced red ramp front sight = shortened barrel even though the barrel marking is mysteriously centered. Would like to see the crown. Somebody help!

 

[rck281]

There is a legit 3 1/2" Pre-24 1950 Target. I believe DOC44 has the serial number of the gun. Something about this gun was posted by 1950 Target 7 -10 years ago. I'm so old now, I can't remember the details.

 

[Kansasgunner]

I’m going with Peak53, and the replaced front sight. Spacing on the sight pins just doesn’t seem right.
Jim,
Is barrel numbered and matching?

 

[asiparks]

The gun was posted for sale on our local forum- here are some more pics:

The front sight does look like it was replaced- there was a lot of uncertainty over the barrel length- was it chopped from a 4" or was it maybe a special order with a 3 1/2"- the crown looks to be rounded in the same manner as my pre 27 3 1/2"- and as others have said, the rollmark isn't conspicously off..

 

[cgt4570]

First thing would be to look for service dept date stamps under the stocks on the grip frame.
It's definitely a 3.5" at this time and I agree, it 'appears' to be a factory crown muzzle.
Odds are always against 'one offs' but there are no impossibilities from Smith & Wesson in the old days.
It could have been a salesman's sample that went through a few mods over the years? Who knows? All conjecture of course, but strange things happened.
It could also have been a very talented local gunsmith!
Until Roy looks it up, we're all just guessing about a cut off gun.

Back then, if a sheriff or chief of a very large force requested a non-standard sample, if it was within standard production capabilities, I'm pretty sure the marketing dept would have have made it happen. Assembling a one or two off .44spl in the same style as a current 3.5" pre-27 would have been a very minor custom operation.

 

[handejector]

WOW.
It looks awfully good. Why don't you ask Roy if he will confirm it if you promise to get a letter? He would probably be delighted to find such a rare bird to confirm.

 

[mh51]

I have to vote for "not factory original", but possibly "factory modified".
Either way, its worth a research letter and a chance the SWHF has some record.

 

[tennexplorer]

I tend to go with factory original. It may be a special request and is a one-off. If you look at the front sight base, it is inletted into the barrel rib below the serrations. That is done in the same manner as the 4" and 5" Model 1950s. The Baughman sight was also used on those barrel lengths and would have been available.

 

[SVT28]

Finish looks original, rollmarks on barrel centered. I don't see any gunsmith evidence on or around the barrel pin. What an awesome 5 screw 44. I don't follow too many threads here however this will be a fun one.

*popcorn*

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[CH4]

Popping the corn, it’s going to be a cliffhanger.

 

[SAFireman]

a - Factory special order
b - Camera angle - optics
c - David Keith (see pic below)

 

[SuperMan]

Regardless of what he paid for it, your buddy got a deal of a lifetime...

First thing that jumped out at me was the placement of the caliber roll mark...that just doesn't happen except at the factory...

Bob

 

[fleabus101]

The Front sight pins look exactly like my protruding factory pre 27 3.5 sight pins.
Prominent and not buffed down. It appears
factory produced in a time where barrel letter placement on modded guns wasnt so meaningful. Looks like my 24-3 3 inch LH
Round butt w/o prominent 50s era pins.
Very likely factory made very nice 44 Smith.
Whatever color me Jealous of yer Buddy
And I ain't shy to ask..Whats the dough yer Buddy is contemplating getting it for??
I gots to know
Randy..

 

[.357magger]

What a delightful find.

I can't help with the provenance other than an opinion, but I can definitively say that I'd love to own it.

Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

[Doc44]

A special order consecutive pair of 1950 44 Targets with a 3 1/2-inch barrel was shipped by S&W in March 1956. Their serial numbers are in the S145000 range. In my research of barrel lengths for 1950 44 Target revolvers, I discovered six were shipped with a 3 1/2-inch barrel (I did not record their serial numbers). The 44 in post #1 looks original, but only a check of factory records will confirm its configuration as shipped from the factory.

Bill