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. Provenance: Ray Cheely and Chad Gripp collections.

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.