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05-09-2012, 04:21 PM
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56-year old 44 Magnum
S160000 range, shipped on May 8, 1956 and still a strong 98 percent revolver with only a few handling marks (one of the first 300 made).
Bill
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00Buck2, 1Aspenhill, 410bore, bill skebeck, bob1956, BrianE, chud333, DCWilson, DGT, geoff40, gkitch, GregG, H P Bushrod, Homie, j38, JCS&W, larkop, Lee Barner, LEO918, Mule88, pdcampy, Pote, rck281, SBH4628, shawn mccarver, Texas Star, wetdog |
05-09-2012, 04:27 PM
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What is there to say?
"Non-gun" folks just don't understand. It don't get any prettier than that.
Shoot and pray daily.
Lee Jones (Celtgun)
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05-09-2012, 04:36 PM
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Banned
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Very nice Bill. Those stocks appear lighter than most from that era.
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05-09-2012, 04:49 PM
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Bill, that's not fair :-)
I'm going to have a hard time sleeping tonight LOL
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05-09-2012, 05:13 PM
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Curtis...the stocks are a little unusual in that they are lighter than what you normally see in 1956. Just a variation in Goncalo alves I suppose.
Bill
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05-09-2012, 05:17 PM
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Wanhhh, I sure hope envy isn't fatal. You've done it again, Bill.
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05-09-2012, 06:14 PM
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Please tell me where the missing 2% is. I don't see it. 
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05-09-2012, 06:31 PM
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Extremely nice Bill. I don't see the missing 2% either.
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05-09-2012, 07:56 PM
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Obviously, Bill is one of that "1%" we've been hearing about. The rest of us "99%ers" will be expecting our share. It's only fair, after all. Seriously, if it wasn't for your pictures, most of us would never see such guns. Thanks. Joe
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05-09-2012, 08:05 PM
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Thats pretty,
KB
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05-09-2012, 08:05 PM
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She is abslolutely stunning!!! Wish my 56 year old wife held up that well! ( don't tell her that I wrote that) And I thought that my 1960, Model 28, was a treasure. Enjoy it! Bob
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05-10-2012, 01:10 AM
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Now Thats what I'm talking about. You just made my day
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05-10-2012, 01:28 AM
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Bill, That is one beautiful piece of history. Nuff' said.
Chuck
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05-10-2012, 08:00 AM
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Doc , wasnt there a couple 29's sent out in late 1955 December maybe?
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05-10-2012, 08:11 AM
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The first 44 Magnum was completed on December 15, 1955 (the same day the first Combat Magnum was completed) and has serial number S130927. It was used to make the first advertisements and All Model Circular for the new 44 Magnum and eventually sold to Rex Firearms on February 21, 1956. It was possibly engraved by Alvin White and used in Rex's early advertisements for the 44 Magnum. The second 44 Magnum was completed on December 29, 1955 and has serial number S130806. It is the first 44 Magnum shipped and was sent to R. H. Coleman of Remington Arms on the day it was completed.
The current location/dispostion of these important 44 Magnums is unknown.
Bill
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05-10-2012, 09:09 AM
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Great looking 44 magnum.
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05-10-2012, 08:08 PM
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Wow That is one beautiful 44 Mag!!!
I have learned to expect nothing less than perfect from Doc44.
Thanks for sharing
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05-10-2012, 11:50 PM
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Thanks for sharing the pic of that historic revolver brother. The quality of the revolver is amazing. Smith and Wesson outdid themselves with the early pre-Model 29's.
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05-11-2012, 02:41 AM
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Got em'
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc44
The first 44 Magnum was completed on December 15, 1955 (the same day the first Combat Magnum was completed) and has serial number S130927. It was used to make the first advertisements and All Model Circular for the new 44 Magnum and eventually sold to Rex Firearms on February 21, 1956. It was possibly engraved by Alvin White and used in Rex's early advertisements for the 44 Magnum. The second 44 Magnum was completed on December 29, 1955 and has serial number S130806. It is the first 44 Magnum shipped and was sent to R. H. Coleman of Remington Arms on the day it was completed.
The current location/dispostion of these important 44 Magnums is unknown.
Bill
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Doc,
I have them both. Been using them as door stops.
Just wedge the barrels under the door jam and nobody
gets in my house now.
On a serious note, would'nt it something to find one of these
two at a Show or Gunshop being sold by an unsuspecting seller. Doubt thats gonna happen but who knows?
Being the first two made any speculation as to why or where
they are being hidden from public ? A very private collector?
A museum somewhere ? "Unlikely"... Destroyed by some
circumstances ? Fire-Stolen ?
Chuck
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05-11-2012, 07:51 AM
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Chuck...I don't know the answer to your question. I always thought the revolver sent to Remington would show up one of these days, but it hasn't to my knowledge. If the first 44 Magnum was engraved by Alvin White and later sold by Rex Firearms, it could be in a collection somewhere and other than being a great engraved piece, the owner probably doesn't know it is the first production 44 Magnum.
Bill
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05-12-2012, 11:45 PM
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Bill,
Another great .44 Mag! Thanks for sharing with us.
Bill
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05-13-2012, 01:05 AM
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What can I say that hasn't been already said, that is a beautiful revolver. .
Rod
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05-13-2012, 10:06 PM
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I found this Pre 29 from 1957 (169xxx) last month. Had hogues and a 4x Leupold installed. Added smooth targets and looking for rear sight assy.
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05-17-2012, 08:40 PM
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When did the 29-2 and the 29-3 debut then?
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05-18-2012, 07:46 AM
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C Broad Arrow...the 29-2 first appeared in late 1962 and the 29-3 in 1982.
Bill
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06-11-2012, 07:16 PM
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Bill, Was the first 44 magnum not serial number S121836? And wasn't it assembled in S&W's tool room in January 1955. Wasn't it used as a show sample and photo revolver throughout 1955 and early 1956. Was it not eventually sold to a factory employee?
This is what I have been telling people for years. Am I wrong?
Thanks, John
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06-12-2012, 07:54 AM
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John...Correct on all accounts. I was fortunate to acquire S121836 in the mid-90s. A photo is shown below.
Bill
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06-12-2012, 08:21 AM
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I've got one in 4", very rare.
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06-12-2012, 08:53 AM
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pre 29
Bill, last year I purchased a pre 29 at a local shop 4" S172008 Should I request a letter? It should be 1956 ship early 1957?
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06-12-2012, 09:44 AM
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c21yankee...Most of the 44 Magnums in the S172000 serial number range shipped in the first half of 1957. Nearly all of them have a 4-screw frame, but a few in the S171000 to S175000 range have a 5-screw frame. For a 44 Magnum that shipped (most likely) in the second year of production, I would letter it.
Bill
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