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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 01-23-2013, 07:28 PM
merlinmuldoon merlinmuldoon is offline
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Hello all,
I recently inherited my father's S&W .44 Special CTG. I have never owned a handgun but I am a hunter and am familiar with rifles and shotguns. I recently had it checked, cleaned and safety inspected and now would like to learn more about what I own. Based on my limited knowledge and research I believe this particular gun is about 100 years old. Does anyone know if you can tell the age of the gun by the serial #? The number on the butt plate is 496, but there is also a number on the frame on the inside behind the cylinder. It has a 6.5" barrel and I believe it has 4 screws on the frame, and 1 on the front end of the trigger guard. Does this make it a 5 screw? The grips are in great condition but the bluing is worn in spots. I saw a very similar gun on GunsInternational.com in better condition with a higher serial # listed for $1,575. Based on my description and the attached photos could anyone give me an estimate of its value?
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File Type: jpg P1230945.jpg (123.5 KB, 205 views)
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File Type: jpg P1230954.jpg (101.5 KB, 208 views)
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Old 01-23-2013, 07:40 PM
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Welcome and Congratulations! You have a very desirable revolver from your father. It is the .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model. aka the Triple-lock or the New Century. It is generally accepted to be one of the most finely engineered handgun ever made. The low number indicates that it was probably produced in the first year of production (1908). It appears to be well used but not abused so that value that you quoted certainly wouldn't be out of line.
Bob
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Old 01-23-2013, 07:41 PM
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I'm sure the replies are going to start rolling in, but what you have is a 44 Hand Ejector First Model, or what is commonly known as a Triple Lock. Beautiful gun, quite an heirloom.
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Old 01-23-2013, 07:47 PM
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Quite a first gun to post! This is a .44 Hand Ejector 1st model, also called the Triple Lock. The cylinder is secured at the rear and front like most similar S & W revolvers, but it also has the third locking point on the yoke (the arm holding the cylinder - you can see the point on the frame in your second photo, where the bottom of the ejector rod housing meets the frame). You have the screw count correct; the one on the front grip strap isn't figured into this number.

It is an early one, most likely first year production (1908) based on the serial number 498. You should also see this number on the rear cylinder face, the inside of the ejector rod housing, and probably in pencil on the inside of the right stock panel. I would bet the stocks are original, as this style was only used on this gun until 1910. The other number you mentioned is a factory internal code and unofficial.

Others with more pricing experience can let you know its current value, but since it was your father's I don't know how you put a dollar value on that connection. Is there a good family story behind it?

Hope this is helpful.
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Old 01-23-2013, 07:50 PM
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Great gun. A little rough but very desirable. A real "tack driver". I don't know why people do that with the availability of hammers.
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Old 01-24-2013, 08:12 AM
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A beatiful old gun. If the stocks are original and have escaped refinishing, then even better. Value is tough, some people would pay over a 1K. The screws on the side plate look untouched. You must shoot this gun. I wonder where and when and who used it has a hammer, a story in wood and metal.
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Old 01-24-2013, 08:24 AM
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The others have aleady given you all the pertinent info.

All I can add is "WOW!"

Awesome revolver.
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Old 01-24-2013, 08:34 AM
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Actually, the dings on the butt don't bother me that much. I just imagine that it was used to tack up the wanted posters for some of these folks.

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Old 01-24-2013, 10:15 AM
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for sure +$k. I sold one about <.5 that nice, the auction went up to $775, the buyer was satisfied as well and posted happy feedback.
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Old 01-24-2013, 01:14 PM
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Nothing else to add but WOW! That's a family heirloom any shooter would be proud to call his own. Congratulations and welcome to the forum.

Froggie
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Old 01-28-2013, 06:56 PM
merlinmuldoon merlinmuldoon is offline
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Wow! Thank you everyone for the valuable input and information. It is great to know a little more Smith and Wesson history about this particular model revolver (also I didn't even notice the butt may have been used as a hammer). I'm Not sure if I'm going to sell it but the personal family history behind it is not a happy one (my father inherited it from his father under tragic circumstances). I do, however, know that it probably hasn't been fired in over 80 years (I know my dad kept it in a drawer and never used it, didn't even have ammunition). I plan to take it to the range and shoot it myself before I make a final decision. Thanks again for all of your help!
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Old 01-28-2013, 07:56 PM
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merlinmuldoon,

I can certainly understand the sensitivity that your family may have regarding the tragic history of your grandfather's gun.

We often say "if only this old gun could talk" but more often than not we never know the history. Here is an instance where the gun really "can talk". Since you are only three generations removed from whatever tragedy there was, know that as time passes that event will become less sensitive to your descendants. Also know that if you do sell the gun, any events related to it will not be viewed as tragic nearly as much as they will be as its history. So I would encourage you to document its history while you and any others might be able to do so. You can, of course, be as impersonal and nonspecific as you choose but still, the history is what it is.

Bob
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