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LOT 1533
Exceptional Smith & Wesson .44 Hand Ejector 4th Model Target (Pre-Model 24) Double Action Revolver with
Ultra Rare 5 Inch Barrel, Gold Box and Factory Letter - Serial no. S161432, 44 S&W special cal.,
5 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
First introduced in 1950 and manufactured until 1966, this is a superb example of a Pre-Model
24 Target revolver built with a rare 5 inch barrel
(standard barrel length was 6 1/2 inches). The
two accompanying factory letters (one is dated December 1983 and the other is dated October
1985) list this revolver with a 5 inch barrel, blue finish and
standard ramp front sight, hammer, trigger and stocks when it was shipped on November 16, 1955, and delivered to H.H. Harris & Co. of Chicago, Illinois. In the factory letter dated from December
1983, S&W historian Roy Jinks explains that records indicated that this gun was one of the original .44 Target revolvers built for H.H. Harris & Co. It has standard S&W markings, matching serial
numbers on the butt, cylinder and ejector shroud and matching assembly numbers on the yoke and crane. The factory gold box is correctly numbered to the gun. Note that the box was originally intended for a
Model 1926 and the white end label is for a .45 Model 1950 Target that has been factory altered to reflect the correct model and barrel length of this gun. The box is original to the gun.
CONDITION: Excellent plus. The revolver retains over 99% original blue finish showing a cylinder drag line. 99% plus original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips are excellent showing very limited minor evidence of handling. Mechanically excellent. The box is very fine showing only scattered minor wear. A high conditioned factory documented and boxed virtually one-of-a-kind Pre-Model 24 revolver that will be a great addition to any S&W collection.
Provenance: The Ray Cheely Collection; The Chad Gripp Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 9,500 - 14,000
LOT 1534
Texas Shipped First Year Production Smith & Wesson Pre-Model 29 .44 Magnum Double Action Revolver with Case and Factory Letter - Serial no. S160704, 44 Magnum cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, goncalo alves grips. This very early production revolver is one of the first 300 .44 Magnums manufactured. The included factory letter lists this first year production revolver with a 6 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, and checkered Goncalo Alves target grips when shipped to Peden Iron & Steel Co. in Houston, Texas on April 16, 1956. Fitted with red ramp front and adjustable rear sights. Matching serial numbers on the butt, cylinder, and inside the ejector rod housing. Includes a blue S&W monogram case, and cleaning tools. CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 99% plus original blue finish with limited handling marks, a faint cylinder drag line, and crisp grip checkering. Mechanically excellent. Case is very fine. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
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