The accompanying factory letter confirms the barrel length, finish and checkered walnut grips. The revolver was part of a 10 gun shipment shipped on January 22, 1951, and delivered to Charles Greenblatt Co. of New York City as one of the first of its type to leave the factory. According to the factory historian Roy Jinks, "This is an early serial number for this model. In fact the invoice was still listing this model as the .44 Model of 1926 Target, but the manufacturing records clearly list it as a Model of 1950." The letter further states that the early example of this model (serial number S78569) placed in the company's display case at the time of the model's introduction is 120 numbers higher than this revolver (S78449). It has standard S&W factory markings, ramp blade front and square notch adjustable rear sights and Magna grips. Matching serial numbers are found on the butt, cylinder, ejector shroud and right grip panel. The assembly number "2001" is stamped on the frame and crane. The original factory box is numbered to the gun, and the end label has been factory restamped with the correct caliber. Provenance: Ray Cheely Collection, Chad Gripp Collection.

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 with limited minor handling marks and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. The box is excellent showing little wear. Nearly all of the end label remains. A superb example of one of the very earliest known S&W Model of 1950 .44 Target revolvers for the serious Smith & Wesson collector.