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Picked this up at an obscure auction. A magnum cylinder with small numbers stamped on it is installed. It should letter as an RSS5X but it is missing the LR cylinder. I think I will look for a nice, unmarked LR cylinder to complete it and have all re-blued. An original finish grip frame (XR3 on this one) and correct panels will finish it off.
What would you do?

I would check into this a little more. This serial number fits into the Out-of-sequence range, known from 244025 to 244185 (Lightweight serial range). Per Chad's reference 130 made, only a few known. This is supposed to be a RSS5W. It looks like someone already personalized it.

Yep, my best Single Six find so far - that's why I posted it and posed the question regarding restoring.
Actually, because the magnum cylinder has very small stamped SN numbers, Chad says it is probably an RSS5X. It is still in a Califonia jail or I would post a detail photo. A letter should arrive soon and I will post the results on this very interesting, slightly abused, um, 'personalized', XR3 Convertible. The magnum cylinder shows evidence of lots of dry firing but someone did a very nice action job on it with a lighter spring and the firing pin looks ok.
Maybe I'll just put a grip frame with appropriate patina on it and Let It Be, as Paul advises.

Just received the letter. It is an RSS5X, produced and shipped in November 1962.

Needs a black grip frame...........I owned one of these years ago. 244301... Good gun! Wise buy!

For those who love such details, this 244090 was also found wearing an XR3 grip frame!!
I'll have more details in the upcoming RENE, but it would seem that non magnum marked guns from 3400xx to 344xxx and the 244xxx range out of sequence guns may still have XR3 grip frames on them!!
Chet15

Man, nice revolver! For something that was made three years before I was born, it sure looks better than me!

I was kidding about the refinish - but I did find a decent, correct grip frame with commensurate wear at cfnparts and a real nice pair of panels on eBay to dress it up a bit. I have never seen a cylinder with so many firing pin dings. What would account for that?

Probably Mr Stewpid fanning or, attempting to, fan the gun! Also known as abuse of a firearm........

yes, and that cylinder can be cleaned up, the chambers "corrected" remove the burrs so the rim of the case does NOT hang up,,,yessir NICE gun........