Manufactured in 1956 as one of a total of only 5,050 Pre-Model 24 revolvers built, very few of which were built with the 5 inch barrel like this example. Features a fixed red ramp blade front and adjustable notch rear sights, a rare five inch barrel with Smith & Wesson marked on the left and caliber designation on the right side, along with the four-line address and S&W trade mark on the right of the frame. Matching serial numbers on the grip frame, cylinder, and barrel, along with matching assembly numbers on the frame and crane. Fitted with a pair of checkered walnut grips with silver S&W monogram medallion inserts. Provenance: The Jon M. Maxwell collection

Very fine as professionally refinished, retaining 98% plus blue finish and 90% case colors with some limited minor edge wear, a slight cylinder drag line, some minor subsurface pits on the sideplate and the left of the frame, plum coloration on the cylinder, and limited minor handling evidence. The grips are exceptionally fine with crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.