S&W 24 Engraved Question

[goblue2025]

I am looking for help on price of a S&W 24. Factory "A" engraved with bright blue finish. 6.25" barrel. Also has presentation box. High condition gun with no major wear. No original box or paperwork. I estimate manufactured in 1956 based on S143xxx serial number. I see a nickel model sold on RI auctions for $4200 a few years ago but was a reproduction 80's model and this is the original 50's gun. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[tlawler]

Welcome to the forum! Gorgeous revolver, but out of my wheelhouse as to putting a value on it. That would be RKmesa. He’s the forum’s resident engraved revolver guru and will be along shortly.

I’ll take a stab at it and say if it has factory engraving provenance, even without the original box, it will be north of $5K.

But I could be off…waaaay off!

 

[Pizza Bob]

If it is ca 1956, it wouldn't be a model numbered revolver, it would be a Model of 1950 H. E. (4th model) Target .44 Spl.

All that aside, I'd be interested to know if the "cokes" came on the gun as the original stocks, or were added later, maybe after the engraving. I ask because I just obtained one from ca 1955 (S141XXX) and it has "cokes" on it too. If you plan to letter the gun, please ask that specifically I will do the same when I letter mine (hopefully pick it up tomorrow - It's a NJ thing).

Adios,

Pizza Bob

PS: I'm sure RKMesa will be along soon.
PPS: This thread should be in the 1896 - 1961 sub-forum

 

[bananaman]

Welcome to the FORUM from Michigan! Engraved guns are not my thing, but would love a 24! Enjoy! Bob

 

[gmborkovic]

Hey Pizza, not sure they are Cokes. The top boarder under the medallion looks to straight. Should look more like a smile, not a straight line.

 

[Doc44]

A 1950 44 Target with a serial number is the S143000 range most likely dates to 1955. The coke bottle stocks are replacements for the originals if my dating is correct. Many engraved revolvers shipped with smooth target stocks, often made of rosewood. The presentation case made of mahogany was introduced in 1959 and is also an add on. All this being said, an original Class A-engraved 1950 44 Target would probably sell for $5,000 to $7,500 depending on the provenance. A factory letter of authenticity form the S&WHF is a must to verify originality.

Bill

 

[22hipower]

I recently acquired an engraved 1950 Target although in 45 ACP from another Forum member. Mine was shipped in the '50s (although I don't have a letter back yet to know exactly when) but was engraved in the mid-70s by Tommy Freyburger at the factory as attested to by his letter of authenticity.

I noticed that your gun has a ramp front sight rather than the patridge we would expect to see. Mine has that too (with red insert) and I suspect that S&W changed the sight at the same time as the engraving was ordered. I have two other engraved guns from the same period engraved with ramp sights installed and S&W work orders confirming the work. I'm hoping, that once my letter arrives a deep dive by the Historical Foundation will surface a work order and/or correspondence for the sight change and engraving. I would also recommend getting a letter and then request a deep dive.

As to value, I agree with Bill's assessment as I paid toward the top of his estimate and, with the Tommy Freyburger provenance, I value it a bit higher.

And welcome to the Forum. Very nice first post although we'd like to see more well lit and close up photos.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2qWqFEz https://www.flickr.com/photos/brushypondranch/

 

[Pizza Bob]

I noticed that your gun has a ramp front sight rather than the patridge we would expect to see. Mine has that too (with red insert) and I suspect that S&W changed the sight at the same time as the engraving was ordered. I have two other engraved guns from the same period engraved with ramp sights installed and S&W work orders confirming the work.

Jeff:

In the SCSW 5th, the description for the 1950 .44 is a bit confusing. It looks like the 1950 Target models could have either Baughman ramps or Patridge front sights. My 1950 .45 Target is satin finish with the Patridge. My 1950 .44 Target is high-polish and has a Baugman ramp with a red insert, and I originally thought the insert was aftermarket, but seeing yours, I'm not too sure now. I also have a model 28 converted to .44 Spl that was done with an original 1950 satin-finish barrel - that also had a Patridge sight on it.

Here's my non-engraved 1950 .44 Target...

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[Doc44]

This 1950 44 Target (S144000 range) shipped in November 1955 with a red ramp, white outline, bright blue finish, and smooth target stocks made of rosewood (which I have). The Roper style stocks are by Keith Brown. The target hammer and trigger were added by a former owner. Click on the photo for a better look.

Bill

 

[22hipower]

Jeff:

In the SCSW 5th, the description for the 1950 .44 is a bit confusing. It looks like the 1950 Target models could have either Baughman ramps or Patridge front sights. My 1950 .45 Target is satin finish with the Patridge. My 1950 .44 Target is high-polish and has a Baugman ramp with a red insert, and I originally thought the insert was aftermarket, but seeing yours, I'm not too sure now. I also have a model 28 converted to .44 Spl that was done with an original 1950 satin-finish barrel - that also had a Patridge sight on it.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

Quite possibly, a ramp from the factory although most 1950s I've seen, and the ones I own except this one, have patridge front sights. The two I alluded to above are a pre-23 and a 25-2, both I suppose could have been ordered with ramp sights but I have the work orders confirming that S&W changed them when the engraving was done. The letter, on my 1950 45 will probably confirm what sights were on it when it left the factory.

Jeff
SWCA #1457