Historical letter info:
.44HE Model of 1950 Military 4" blue #S142950 shipped February 25, 1955 to Western Hoegee Co., Los Angeles, CA.

Today I helped a friend sort though the inventory of a dealer who passed on in January. My assignment: Smith & Wesson revolvers. Most were decent shooters, but one caught my attention: a 1950 Model 44 Military (aka 44HE 4th model or "Pre-21") with matching numbers in a matching number gold box, with tools and docs. A "Eureka!" find, to be sure.
But there's a catch: The barrel pin appears to have been drifted as it is shiny on the left side and there is a big "P" stamped in the yoke. Everything else checks out on this gun and there are no stamps other than the big "P" to indicate rework. I checked my personal pre-21 and everything is exactly the same except for the pin and the big "P". Thoughts anyone?
1950 Model 44 Military close up .jpg

1950 Model 44 Military S142950.jpg

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Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

A nice surprise indeed. I've never heard of a P indicating rework or any rework marks stamped in the yoke. A diamond on replaced parts, yes. The P in the yoke or any other letters is common as an inspector's stamp. The barrel pin may have been drifted out for whatever reason but that doesn't strike me as an issue.

Four or six inch barrel? Can you post a photo of the entire gun and particularly of the docs and tools? It's always interesting to see what was originally packed with the gun, especially of this era.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Does the barrel serial # match the frames #? This may be why the pin has been drifted.

Yes, the barrel number on the frame matches the number stamped in the ejector rod shroud. It just seems odd that a revolver like this has matching numbers everywhere, including the box and stocks, and this one little (annoying) anomaly

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Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

The note attached leaves one wondering what is wrong with the gun that it needs to be inspected before use and is sold as a collectible only. ??

That is George Wimer's standard disclaimer.
No big deal.


The P means nothing.
God only knows why the pin was knocked on.
One possible explanation is a squib sticking at the forcing cone with loaded rounds left in other chambers.
Some folks don't like to tap on the slug with a dowel when the cyl is closed on loaded rounds. So, they pull the barrel.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

That revolver looks great to me, and someone most assuredly paid dearly for it from Wimer...

+ 1 on the Standard Disclaimer. Somewhere in my mess I have 2 or 3 of those that came with guns I bought from Wimer. Maybe one day the cards will have collector value.
Chip King

Tom,

I agree with Lee that the "P" has no collector significance (I've got those same guns with a "7", "H", "5", and "U" on the frame there). I have more concern regarding the color of the frame, especially just above where the Magna grips have left their mark. It could just be the lighting or oil but be sure that that gun hasn't been in a fire. Don't know how that could have happened with the original box still around unless the gun was stored separately from the box.

Bob

Here you go. I could use a clinic on proper firearm photography. These are lousy phone pics.

S142950 box.jpg

S142950 box bottom.jpg

S142950 box docs tools.jpg

S142950 profile right.jpg

S142950 profile left.jpg

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Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

All of the guns I inspected had oil on them and I suspect the owner (a Pennsylvania FFL) cleaned and lubed them periodically, even if he never shot them. Some had old oil under the grips and that may be the discoloration you noticed. The lighting and low-quality mobile phone photography don't help either. I did compare this gun to my own and the finish is consistent throughout.

S142950 cylinder face.jpg

S142950 recoil shield.jpg

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Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

Good point, Lee, and good news: No bulge or ring in the barrel or evidence of sharp, scratchy things having been in there.

The "Wimer Tag" is attached to several guns. I will research the bound books for acquisition dates. There are quite a few interesting items in the mix: A first year HP, three 4" .44's (pre-29, pre-29 four screw, and a 29), an engraved 29-2 with spectacular ivory stocks, a couple Turnbulls, and a really cool highly engraved nickel Colt 1911A1. I didn't photograph everything (there are at least thirty 1911's), just the S&W's. Here's the engraved 29-2.
scratched and blinged 29-2.jpg

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Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

What a classic. Leaves me wondering why S&W can't/doesn't make them like that anymore. I would pay more for that than for a dozen of the current production stuff in any configuration.