.44spl hand ejector proofmark question

[valbehaved]

Hello, everyone...
I just purchased this almost new in box .44 hand ejector, sn S62XXX,made in early 1946... I found this proofmark on the frame under the left grip...It was clearly struck after the bluing.
Any idea what it is?
Thanks!

[diamonback68]

It looks like some sort of a tree, but I have never seen it before. Any experts out there. Thanks for posting and welcome.

[Timb1]

That looks like the electical symbol for ground. But it is upside down.
I have no clue why it would be stamped on a Smith.

Tim.

[valbehaved]

Tim:
You are absolutely correct.
The seller believes that the gun came from Europe and possibly from Israel.. I wonder if it could be a company logo that might have ordered this gun in 1946..

[wheelgun610]

Originally Posted by valbehaved

I just purchased this almost new in box....

And you're gonna tease us with these two pics?

[H Richard]

Is it possible those are Fitter or Inspector marks from the factory? I often see unusual stamps on the grip frame.

[Gun 4 Fun]

Originally Posted by H Richard

Is it possible those are Fitter or Inspector marks from the factory? I often see unusual stamps on the grip frame.

I tend to agree with this. Individuals had their own fitters stamp. If it were a proof mark or logo, I don't think it would be hidden under the grip panel. It would normally be out on the main frame or barrel somewhere.

[rburg]

Originally Posted by wheelgun610

And you're gonna tease us with these two pics?

Yeah, I want to see the box, too!

[valbehaved]

Box is unmarked.
enjoy!

[DCWilson]

That is nice! If one of those popped up on a counter in front of me, people in my immediate vicinity would be set spinning in place by the cyclonic effects generated from the haste with which I whipped out my wallet.

By "unmarked," do you mean the box has no end label?

I'm no expert, but I don't know of hinged patent boxes that were used to ship guns after WW2. Some 1946 guns came in gold boxes. I think your gun and this box may have come together fairly recently in their lives. Not that it much matters. Fine gun. Good box. Congratulations.

[Buford57]

I don't know the first thing about Lebanese proof or import marks, but the cedar tree is the traditional symbol for that country.

[opoefc]

There are known S&Ws that were shipped in the patent boxes after WW2, as S&W was using up the box left over from before the war. This gun is apparently one of those, assuming the box is numbered to the gun. The mark is a fitter's/inspector's stamp, not a proof mark. The only S&W "proof" mark on these guns is the punch dot under the top strap indicating the gun was test fired and survived. Also , there was no Israel in 1946, and Isreal does not proof weapons, they accept them by placing Police or Military ownership stamps on them. I would doubt that this gun went overseas anywhere, as the waiting list for these in 1946 would have snapped up anything S&W put out the door. Ed .

[valbehaved]

Thank you, all, for your suggestions and kind words.
The box is unnumbered and has no end label.
Another theory proposed by one of the collectors is that the "ground" mark was simply placed there by an owner in order to identify the gun in case it was stolen.
I wonder if in the 40's electricians stamped the "ground" marking with a hand stamp as the paper stickers for "ground" were probably not yet in use at that time. The previous(or an original) owner of the gun could have had access to such a stamp and may have simply used it to personalize the gun in an unobtrusive fashion. Just a theory...
Thank you.
Val

[lowhog]

Would this be a pre 21 with a scarce 6.5 inch barrel? Also looks like a transitional gun with a prewar hammer.

[handejector]

Originally Posted by lowhog

Would this be a pre 21 with a scarce 6.5 inch barrel? Also looks like a transitional gun with a prewar hammer.

NO.
It is a Model 1926. Post war, Transition variety.
RARE gun.
GREAT gun.

[bronco45]

Thanks for the photos and thanks Lee for nailing it down.

[lowhog]

Originally Posted by handejector

NO.
It is a Model 1926. Post war, Transition variety.
RARE gun.
GREAT gun.

With a very scarce 6.5 inch barrel.

[s&wchad]

It almost looks like the serial number was overstamped. Did you alter the photo?

[valbehaved]

Thank you for identification of the gun...
The serial is not overstamped, just a bad photograph..
The numbers are sharp and deep, but because they are so deeply struck - at certain light angles it looks like an overstamp on one of the numbers, but actually it is not..
Thanks!
Val

[JSR III]

So let's hear the rest of the story. Online purchase, friend local pawnshop??? Tease us with the whole story behind the story...We all want to find one in this condition in a neighbor's nightstand.

[valbehaved]

actually the story is very unexciting:
saw it on the internet on one of the major WWII firearms dealers. looked it up in the book and new that it was a low production gun and went ahead and bought it since the condition was spectacular.
S&W are part of my interest in all pre-1945 pistols and revolvers, but occasionally I will purchase a post war gun if it is mint and rare, like this one.
I have the following smiths;
#3 top break target in 99% original condition with original box.
I think it is a smaller caliber gun,like 32-20?
5th change new departure, new in box, c.1910-15?pics attached
Commercial model M1917 in .45, 99%, sn in 160XXX range
Russian Tula production #3 top break in gray condition.
But now I have an appetite for more..
Beautifully made guns, they are..

[wheelgun610]

Originally Posted by valbehaved

I have the following smiths;
#3 top break target in 99% original condition with original box.
I think it is a smaller caliber gun,like 32-20?

I'd love to see pics of that one (hint, hint....)

The cartridge was actually known as the .32-44, which was only ever chambered in the New Model Number 3 Target revolver. There was also a .38-44 version, (which shouldn't be confused with the 38/44 Heavy Duty/Super Police round from the 1930's onward).

Mark