This 44 SPL was mfg. in 1931. It`s a 3rd model with a 5" barrel. The Serial number is 37764 and has the HPD 163 Stamped on the butt strap. About 300 were shipped to Wolf & Klar for the Houston Police Dept. according to the Standard catalog 3rd edition. Not sure if grips are original as there is no number on them.

Congratulations on owning a great revolver. You have there what I wish I had here! To my taste the 5 inch 3rd Model is perfectly proportioned and balanced. And while the Magnas are probably not original to the gun, they top it off very nicely. Thanks for sharing. You made my day.

Thanks,can anyone tell or show me what grips for this revolver probably should look like?

As a collector of law enforcement guns, I have to say that is very nice!

The only way it could be any better would be if it had a 4" barrel

Thanks for sharing.

MOONDAWG

I think you revolver probably had these service style grips originally. Someone such as Lee may come along and confirm this for us.

Jerry

quote:

Originally posted by Smith &W:
Thanks,can anyone tell or show me what grips for this revolver probably should look like?

Hello Smith & W,

Nice find! I believe that the correct grips would be the silver medallion service grips, based on the serial number and ship date of your gun. The Magnas it wears now look to be in great shape, and would be worth a pretty penny. You might want to hang onto them, though, because if you come across a gun that needs them, they might not be so easy to replace.

I have a similar gun that shipped in August 1931 to the Providence (R.I.) Police Department, marked P.P.D. 22.

Take care,

Until someone such as Lee J. does come along to confirm the grip style your gun should have, here is a 1926 3rd Model .44 Hand Ejector with a 4” barrel that shipped Wolf & Klar in June of 1930. It has number matching "service type" grip as you can see here in the pictures.

It is a safe bet that it shipped with service stocks, as Magnas were not offered until a bit after the introduction of the .357 Magnums in 1935.

As for the serial number imprint, maybe there is a faint, handwritten pencil marking on one panel. This was common practice with early wood hand ejector stocks. Maybe it was also done with "special order" guns like the Registered Magnums...one of which is the most likely "donor" for the stocks in question.

If you want a "correct" setup, I am one of many here who would be glad to work out a trade.

Congratulations on a great gun.

Thanks guys. you are better than the Library when information is needed.

What a fine revolver. You made a great find.

What a beautiful old 44! You can be proud of that one. Thanks for showing us!

Jerry

Yes, GLL, stbryson, and 230grfmj are correct. Your revolver would have shipped with the service grips, equipped with large siver medallions.

I have its brother, serial number 37763; what I suspect is HPD #170. The problem is that it was given a re-blue and re-polishing that removed all of the P, most of the H, all that shows clearly of the letters is the three periods and the D, though the numbers are still sharp. It has service stocks on it, though it looks like the left hand one also got hit by the polishing wheel right by the medallion. I don't think they are the original ones for the gun as they are a little long on the butt. Wonder if some H.P.D. armorer went through these guns when they were decommissioned, cleaning etc and got the stocks mixed up?

Charlie,
I owned one of these at one time and it wore serial numbered to the gun grips and they were service grips with silver medallions.
Great find!
Bill