Vintage 1956 Pre-24 how rare is a 5" barrel ?

[Marksman]

Just acquired 1956 vintage Pre-24 with a 5" barrel. How rare is this barrel length ? The gun is pristine with barely a hint of a turn line, any idea as to value ?

 

[22hipower]

Pretty rare if it is legit. Please post some pictures, especially of the barrel roll marks and the front of the barrel. You'll probably need a letter to confirm the original configuration. Let's see condition and validation of originality before we get too far in to the valuation discussion.

 

[blackdeuce]

Would the barrel have a serial number?

 

[SSGRock]

Would not matter to me because I am a 1956 vintage. Always looking for 1956 Smith & Wesson Revolvers.

 

[Marksman]

The barrel and all the other parts that are supposed to have serial number marking are marked S1463XX. I have owned two 1950 Target models, this looks identical to them except 5" barrel, it is the satin blued variation. I can text pics to anyone who would be kind enough to post them for me.

 

[duke2002]

As far as i know most came with a 6 1/2 in standard. Back then you coukd order almost whst ever yiu wanted from smith if you had the funds. I never seen a pre 24 in that barrel configuration.

 

[tennexplorer]

There are very few of them. Bill Cross knows the number and they are pretty sure its accurate from all the research of the records. A letter is a really good idea.

 

[blackdeuce]

Your photos are probably an iPhone format that the website doesn't accept as uploads. I screenshot them to get them to upload. There may be a better way to do it.

 

[blackdeuce]

The other photos.

 

[tennexplorer]

This one is mine. Gives you something to compare.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

Whether original or not, a 5" 24 or pre 24 would, to me, be the ultimate sixgun. I have two 24-3s in 4", and have toyed with the idea of having a 6.5" one cut to 5".

 

[Dino44]

Very cool gun! Actually, both of them. Did the namesake of the trigger guard modifications also make stocks? Or was that perhaps, his own gun?

 

[tennexplorer]

Very cool gun! Actually, both of them. Did the namesake of the trigger guard modifications also make stocks? Or was that perhaps, his own gun?

You ask really good questions!

 

[blackdeuce]

What's the opinion on the OP's gun? All legit? Certainly seems like it could be with the exception of the grips.

 

[Gun Relics]

What's the opinion on the OP's gun? All legit? Certainly seems like it could be with the exception of the grips.

I don't think it originally shipped that way, but there no reason to guess since it's easy enough to check with the full serial number. It certainly looks well done and it's a cool gun. The grips are great. Just one note: to me the front sight looks taller than the patridge sights I have from the same time period.

 

[Shotguncoach]

Here's the front sight of a 1950 that letters as shipped with a 6 1/2" barrel then cut to 5" later. It looks very similar to the one posted above…









@Marksman - Does your gun have a date stamp on the grip frame? This gun was returned to the factory in January of 1971.