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01-21-2013, 03:18 PM
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First year 44 magnum S130937 - LETTER HAS ARRIVED!!!
Recently I came across this 5 screw 44 magnum while browsing online. When I saw that it was a 130XXX, my mouth dropped open. The SN ended up being S130937. Being newer than many to S&W collecting, I don't see many opportunities such as this, unless I wanted to get a divorce! Like many others, I've wanted a registered magnum for a long time, but for the time being, having a very early 44 magnum is just as special. Its a true piece of history, as you all know.
The gun has only very slight holster wear and a light scratch on the side plate. The gun wears a great set of cokes. Its a true 98%+ gun.
The sale of this gun was interesting. This gun was for sale to benefit a sportsman's club in Arizona. The ad stated that the owner (who graciously donated the proceeds of the gun for the club) was in the air force in 1956 stationed on Long Island. One day him and his buddy decided to tour the S&W factory, and so as the story goes they were able to witness the first 44 magnums being manufactured. The owner decided he had to have one, and this gun was the result of those efforts.
Unfortunately, I have no other details at this time. I will be emailing the seller to ask him for the details of the acquisition, just for curiosity sake, and since the previous owner is in his 80s, I'm hoping he put the black case away somewhere and forgot it. I got nothing else with the gun.
I requested a letter on the gun a few weeks ago. I do acknowledge that the gun could have shipped in 1957, because Doc44 posted a gun with an earlier SN which shipped Jan 1957. Doc44 stated that there are currently only 42 known in the S130XXX SN range. Now 43!
A special thanks to forum members Doc44, 29-1 and Masterpiece for their teachings regarding S&W 44 magnums. If not for their willingness to share their knowledge on the forum about S&W 44 magnums, and their countless hours spent researching these guns, we would all know far less about these than we do today.
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Last edited by Göring's S&W; 02-27-2013 at 11:26 PM.
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0le, 1blindref, 29-1, 29aholic, 2quads, 4-Screw, 410bore, 992B, alaskavett, arjay, bamaboy357, bill skebeck, BillyMagg, bob1956, bravastar1, Collects, COYOTEHUNTER, CWH44300, DCWilson, Deacon KC, DGT, ditrina, dnonac, Doc44, donadler, Donald Paul, Duster42, EdF702, ericherte, Frank237, Frank46, H P Bushrod, H Richard, illini24, j38, JayCeeNC, jaymoore, jhde69, JP@AK, linde, lowhog, m l mosley, MajorHal, Masterpiece, Matthew1.21, Mike Q., Muley Gil, Nedroe, Old Seabee, olskool, peepaw, r3captain, RABULL, Rad29, Rigmover, RKmesa, Russell Cottle, S&W Oldtimer, S&W-Keeper, sbill, Sprefix, SteveA, stroker, THE PILGRIM, tlay, tlpmidland, Twiki357, Wiregrassguy, wraco, xx78 |
01-21-2013, 03:20 PM
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Excellent acquisition! I'm jealous 
'
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Kris
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01-21-2013, 03:22 PM
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Great story and a fantastic gun. Congratulations!
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01-21-2013, 03:33 PM
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Congratulations Jim.....thats a beautiful 44 Magnum! I have a May 1956 gun that owns a primo spot in my safe. I'm sure yours will own some prime gun safe real estate as well.
Good luck on your contact with the original owner and I hope he has some additional info (and possibly the presentation case). Regardless, keep us posted on what you find out! I never tire of seeing these 44 Magnums.
Congrats again...
Craig
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01-21-2013, 05:20 PM
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Very nice 44 Magnum!!! Only a letter will tell the shipping date, but it could be a very early 44. S130938 was shipped on January 31, 1956 and S130927 was the first production 44 Magnum completed (December 15, 1955). Be sure and tell us the shipping date when you get it.
Bill
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01-21-2013, 07:05 PM
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Very nice 44. Glad it went to someone who will appreciate it for what it is, great score.
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01-21-2013, 07:20 PM
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Absolutely gorgeous early .44 Mag.! The low serial number is a great find.
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01-22-2013, 10:50 AM
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Banned
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You done good....very nice!
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01-22-2013, 02:53 PM
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I have S130922, which was shipped on 05/17/56
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01-22-2013, 03:13 PM
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Very, very nice, "Goring."
I'm very happy for you. Great acquisition. What a wonderful way to start the year.
Jack
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01-22-2013, 05:56 PM
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That thing is SWEET!!!!!
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01-22-2013, 06:12 PM
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Starting off 2013 with a bang: first year 44 magnum S130937
Wow...congratulations!!
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01-22-2013, 06:44 PM
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Absent Comrade
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Very nice gun.
Sure I'd like a Reg Mag too like you. But they are out of my reach.
I however find the .44 Mag to be a more useful cartridge for me.
Emory
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01-22-2013, 06:52 PM
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Awesome find! Congratulations!
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01-24-2013, 06:09 PM
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I find it intriguing that so much interest is on the serial number in the 130xx series as being very early. I own a 4" five screw with the serial number of 108XXX. I would think this is much earlier. I am not sure of when my father purchased it but it would be about 98%++ condition as well. It was a pre 29, as I understand it. I would be interested in some more information pertaining to it.
Last edited by mixedgrip; 01-24-2013 at 06:17 PM.
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01-24-2013, 08:47 PM
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mixedgrip....If your serial number is correct, it is the lowest number known and would probably date to late 1954. The only surviving prototype 44 Magnum was made in January 1955 and has serial number S121836 and one of the experimental 44 Magnums made to do the cartridge development in 1954 has serial number S121839. I would love to see a picture of your 44 and its serial number.
Bill
Last edited by Doc44; 01-25-2013 at 09:38 AM.
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01-24-2013, 09:03 PM
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'..lowest serial known........' The Luger collectors have serial data base with 1000s of guns & approximate mfg date (pretty close anyway, as this goes to back to 1899).....Luger guys always submit their serial & other pertinent markings & the base is available to those who wish to view it,....no names or locations are kept. I have the lowest known 1908 Commercial, looking at another that is almost on the other end of the scale.
Does someone keep such a data base for S&W?? If not, why.??????
PJH
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01-24-2013, 10:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by heckinohio
'..lowest serial known........' The Luger collectors have serial data base with 1000s of guns & approximate mfg date (pretty close anyway, as this goes to back to 1899).....Luger guys always submit their serial & other pertinent markings & the base is available to those who wish to view it,....no names or locations are kept. I have the lowest known 1908 Commercial, looking at another that is almost on the other end of the scale.
Does someone keep such a data base for S&W?? If not, why.??????
PJH
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The Smith & Wesson Collector's Association keeps a number of databases. Just this information is well worth the yearly membership fee.
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01-24-2013, 10:58 PM
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Great way to start the year, Congrats!!
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01-24-2013, 11:54 PM
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cool find of 29-.44. wheres mine?
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01-25-2013, 01:22 AM
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The quintessential Smith!!!
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01-25-2013, 09:36 PM
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Doc44, I will try to get photos posted Monday or Tuesday.
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01-25-2013, 10:00 PM
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That is a spectacular Pre-29 with an enviable serial number! Every collector deserves to get a special gun from time to time, and this one certainly qualifies. Congratulations!
mixedgrip, I am interested in the details of your Pre-29 as well. True four-inch five-screw pre-29s are rare birds. Please check the rear face of the cylinder, the inside of the ejector shroud under the barrel, and the underside of the ejector star. The serial number from the butt of the gun should be repeated in those locations, along with the S prefix that is appropriate for serial numbers of this era.
A lot of freshly posted guns have caused me some serious envy today.
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01-25-2013, 11:51 PM
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I just got a magnified read on the serial number and what I though was a 0 looks like it is a 6 instead. The top of the 6 wasn't very clear to me without good light and magnification. So, it looks to be S168544. I is very clean and a five screw 4" but not as low a number as I first thought. I will try to get photos posted Monday. Sorry for the error.
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01-26-2013, 08:06 AM
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Great story and congrats! What a beautiful .44
Did they add a bit of finish to the Cokes or is that fresh oil on there?
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01-26-2013, 08:14 AM
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I am green with envy. Congrats on a sweet piece.
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01-29-2013, 12:39 AM
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Last edited by mixedgrip; 01-29-2013 at 12:54 AM.
Reason: Better Photo Quality
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01-29-2013, 09:37 AM
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mixedgrip....great looking 44 Magnum!!!!
Bill
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01-30-2013, 01:34 AM
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Thanks! This is the 5 screw I was talking about. It turned out to be S168544. The 6 looked like a 0 until very close inspection. From what I was able to tell it was made in 1958. It was the first .44 mag I ever fired and belonged to my father, who bought it new.
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01-30-2013, 09:39 AM
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mixedgrip...I would estimate your 44 Magnum was shipped in early to mid-1957. It is one of the later 44s made with a 5-screw frame.
Bill
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02-24-2013, 06:39 PM
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The letter came in
Thanks for all the compliments guys. Its nice to get that special one every so often. In case anyone hasn't realized, I really would like a nice presentation case for this revolver. Based on the letter I now have, I need a black pebble grain case.
Quote:
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Did they add a bit of finish to the Cokes or is that fresh oil on there?
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That's a little Kroil, which is what I use to protect my guns.
So I finally got the letter, and it shipped in April, pretty early still. I'm happy.
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}-----Jim----->
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02-24-2013, 07:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Goring's S&W
I really would like a nice presentation case for this revolver. Based on the letter I now have, I need a black pebble grain case.
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I'm sure Doc will most likely be along shortly to verify the Case, but for anyone looking right now, he needs an Early Style Pebble-Grain Case with the Button or Slide-Latch, not the Later Pebble-Grain Case with the Clasp Style Latch!! Just thought I'd mention it!!
By the way Jim, glad to hear you're now the Proud Owner of one of the earliest 44 Magnums S&W produced!!
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Masterpiece
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02-24-2013, 08:11 PM
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Thanks for the clarification Masterpiece.
I also noticed in my letter, Roy signed it "Yours truly" instead of "Sincerely" - I guess that's a little something extra for the 44 mag guys. Sorry everyone else!
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}-----Jim----->
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Last edited by Göring's S&W; 02-27-2013 at 11:29 PM.
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02-25-2013, 09:06 AM
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Jim...Congratulations on owning one of the first one hundred 44 Magnums made by S&W!!!
Bill
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02-27-2013, 11:29 PM
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Wow, the first 100, that is really awesome. I felt the letter added to it even before I got this confirmation. With a ship date of 4-2-56, I was happy. I was slightly worried it would be something like Feb 1957, cause you just never know. Its a beautiful gun regardless.
If anyone has a black pebble grain case type that masterpiece mentions, I am interested, so PM me.
__________________
}-----Jim----->
~SWCA #2732~
Last edited by Göring's S&W; 02-28-2013 at 01:52 AM.
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03-05-2013, 10:52 PM
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The first 100!! It just gets better.............So many fine Smiths', but that sleek beauty gets my blood going. WOW!!
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03-06-2013, 12:26 PM
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Absent Comrade
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Absolutely beautiful gun and a piece of early .44 magnum History too.
FN in MT
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03-06-2013, 02:18 PM
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excellent...thanks for sharing!
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03-06-2013, 02:49 PM
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Fabulous find, congratulations.
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03-06-2013, 07:19 PM
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Jim, you did great. April 56 44 magnums are few and far between.
Regards
Chuck
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03-06-2013, 11:09 PM
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44 Magnum Case
Quote:
Originally Posted by Goring's S&W
Wow, the first 100, that is really awesome. I felt the letter added to it even before I got this confirmation. With a ship date of 4-2-56, I was happy. I was slightly worried it would be something like Feb 1957, cause you just never know. Its a beautiful gun regardless.
If anyone has a black pebble grain case type that masterpiece mentions, I am interested, so PM me.
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You have a p.m.
Leon
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