I'm due to meet a seller who has what he describes as a 5" .44 Special S&W revolver and I was told that the serial number is S 687xx. I have no reference books so any info on what model this would be (Post-WWII military?)/approximate date of manufacture would be greatly appreciated. No box or papers but I'm told it's to good to very good condition. The front sight blade is rounded on the muzzle side and somewhat hooked on the side closest to the shooter (this from a poor picture). Any info on an approximate price range would also be most helpful. Tony

Sounds like it is probably a post war transitional model 1926, sounds like maybe the front sight was modified. That's an unusual gun. I assume the sights are not adjustable, if they are adjustable then it's a super rare gun. 1946 or 7 would be my guess on a ship date.

PICS man, PICS!

Beagleye … Thanks for that info. Again, based on the poor picture, it does not appear to have an adjustable rear sight. The front sight appears similar to others I've seen in pictures or 1926 revolvers but will know more when I actually see it tomorrow. Any input on value given what little I've been able to share? Again, I'm guessing generally good condition … a shooter but hopefully no abuse. Thanks again … Tony

Estimating value is difficult without pictures. Condition is important as any change from the original reduces value. Price could range from $500 for a re-finished gun with replacement parts to several thousand for a 95+% original gun with grips numbered to the gun and more if box/papers are included. Quite a few folks here would very much like to see pictures if you can get them.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

22hipower … Good evening and thanks for taking the time to reply. I do understand about condition being a major driver with regards to value. As previously stated, no box of anything else that I'm currently aware of and yes, if I end up bringing it home I'll most definitely take and post pictures so I can learn more. Having said all that, would a $400. - $800. price range seem reasonable? Tony

I own S 68008, with fixed sights, which shipped in August, 1946.
It is a post-WWII transitional .44 Military model.

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John

JayCeeNC … Good evening there in NC sir. Hope you're near the ocean as the OBX is one of my favorite places to visit. So I'd guess S 687xx would have probably left the factory in the 1st half of 1947 or so? What length barrel does your's have John?

A mid-1946 shipping date would be likely. However, you can never be certain without a factory letter.

S 69419, a 5" post war 3rd model shipped in July of 46. can't wait to see the pics. lee

OK … I'm going to turn in for the night guys but check back for more thoughts & input in the AM. My sincere thanks to each of you for taking the time to share info. Yet one more example of why this is such a great forum. Tony

Even with a modified front sight, assuming the .44 is in good shape otherwise, yes on the $400-$800 range.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

If its rusted, pitted, and only had 50% blueing left, but still functional and shootable, for myself Id still pay 4 maybe 500. For just plain "honest" wear, I'd surely pay 7 to 800. If it were better than 90%, I would think it's worth more....

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Even older, even crankier....

Maj45K, take a look at the Guns for Sale forum on this site. Muley Gil has one with this heading " WTS 3rd Model .44 Special, Price Reduction, parts" which shipped in 1931. This will give you an idea of how one on the low end condition wise is priced; $950 and still available.

Well damn if it (S 68757) didn't up and followed me home …

It looks better in person than it did from the seller's picture but his verbal description was good … tight action and no obvious issues. The #'s on the frame, cylinder & grips match; nice case hardening on the grooved trigger and the hammer, BUT the bluing is quite dull/subdued if you will. The front sight blade is rather mysterious to me but I will take and post pictures so members can provide me with a much needed education. Anyhow, thanks for all who have provided information to me and I hope to be able to post pictures soon. For now, I'm just pleased that this Smith is mine.

Regards from Colorado, Tony

This was in the matte blue era for S & W, so it may be original. As someone else mentioned earlier, someone probably put a notch into the front sight blade to make an upright/perpendicular sighting surface. Looking forward to the photos.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Darn it! I missed this one. I saw this and recognized it for a post war transitional and emailed the guy for additional pictures and then got involved in a (losing) Avalanche hockey playoff game and then went to bed. I read my email first thing this morning and "someone" had beat me to an appointment to check it out. I think this was a definite "buy it now" situation. Congrats to Tony! Glad somebody from the Forum got it. Enjoy!

Peak53 … Yep, that's the one I fell into and hearing that there was such a thing as a " ...matte blue era for S & W" (thanks murphydog) I'm even more pleased with the revolver having paid his $700. asking price. I believe it was a good deal given what new S&W .44 Specials go for these days. Having now looked at any number of pictures members have posted, I'm guessing the front sight on this one was modified by a smith somewhere along the way unless S&W offered such mods as an option, and I haven't read a post indicating that as a factory option. Regardless of how it was done, it was well executed as I hope the pictures (when I take and post them) will show. I certainly intend to letter her so I can see when & where she started life with her 1st owner. Again, I'm mighty pleased to give her a home with me and man, what a sweet trigger pull/action ; +)

Regards from Colorado, Tony

Here's mine, it's my favorite hand gun, I payed a good bit more than you and I don't regret it, modified front sight, non original grips.

Just catching up with this thread. Congratulations Major45Kon your new Transitional model Smith. The photo below is of my Transitional .44 in 5" barrel. Here reflecting the original front sight configuration. SN of this gun is 682xx. Do consider posting pix if convenient!
Best!

Attached Images

66 - 3.jpg (211.1 KB, 87 views)

Thanks to Peak53 in COS, here pix #1

Here's the front sight …

The opposite side of the front sight …

And finally the right side of her …

Maybe it's just my computer but for some reason your pictures are not showing up Maj45K.
Can't wait to see it you lucky guy. Good work.

Nice score! that's a beauty. Congratulations.
Now you gotta post a target

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the rules? there are no rules

thats a sneaky way of getting extra likes, loading your pics into separate posts

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the rules? there are no rules

I see them now. I had to click on the box and right click to open on mine.
Wow! Did you score big time. That gun is mint. Congratulations.

Maj45K
The SWSC says this is one of 1,473 transitional 44s. That's pretty scarce in my book. It looks to my untrained eye like the original finish, but can't be positive. Other opinions? Great score, in any case.

My sincere thanks to all and like Peak53 I'd like to know what members think about the matt blue finish … original or a re-due. Would a factory letter note this? Here are a few more pixs …

Right side of frame …

Left frame side …

And finally, the S&W shield …

Wait a second... YOU HAD TO ASK?
That rascal is nice!

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Halfway and one more step

That gun looks much better than I expected. Nice find!

Sure looks like original finish; nice find! I'd get a letter for that one.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

The finish is original.
The front sight is VERY neatly modified. It reminds me of the Colt "sharkfin" that the New Service had. Looks like it was probably done with an end mill.

You STOLE that gun.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

I'd say you made out like the proverbial bandit. Nice!

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Oh well, what the hell.

I thinks since you, maj45k and I are all from Colorado, and considering the good price he paid, we should all be able to shoot that old rust bucket. Sounds only right to me.

It's a gorgeous gun, and I really like that front sight mod! You got a deal!

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Even older, even crankier....

Colorado Members …

Well 30remchester, since Peak53 is a reloader maybe we can see if one of his cartridges can be squeezed past the rust far enough to get the cylinder to close. Of course with the hammer rusted solid and all, we probably won't stand much of a chance of igniting anything … LOL.

Where in the Colorado Mountains are you located sir? Tony

YAaaaaaa!

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Halfway and one more step

I'll provide the lead if you provide the iron!

Peak53 … I believe we have a deal !! Thanks again for taking the time to talk me through how to upload and get pictures posted on the forum sir! Tony

On my way to the post office to drop off my S&W Authenticity Letter request to Roy. I'll post the results when it arrives, and hopefully by then, I'll also have a day-at-the-range target to post as well. Thanks again to all for your helpful posts regarding this revolver. Tony

But on the other hand, I wanted to 'like' it about 10 times

I failed to update this thread 4 years ago when in late September of 2014 I received my letter from Roy. So here are the pertinent parts ...

"We have researched your Smith & Wesson .44 Hand Ejector Third Model (Model of 1926) Post-World War II Transition Variation, caliber .44 S&W Special, revolver in company records which indicate that your handgun, with serial number S68757 was shipped from our factory on August 19, 1946, and delivered to W.H. Hoegee Co., Los Angeles, CA. The records indicate that this revolver was shipped with a 5 inch barrel, blue finish, and checkered silver medallion walnut Magna grips. This shipment was contained 20 units in the above configuration, and they were billed at $31.60 each. The front sight was modified after it was shipped."

I hope this belated information will help members who keep shipping date information as well as serve to confirm that the unusual front sight on this revolver was the result of a modification made after it left the factory.

4 years and I've still yet to fire her ... where does the time in our lives go.

Tony

LOL ... Just noted that when this revolver was shipped on that Monday in 1946, on that same day Bill Clinton - named at birth William Jefferson Blythe III - was born in Hope, Arkansas at 8:51 AM.

I still like that front sight.

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Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

Tom ... Me too! Tony

I have some nice softly loaded .44 Special rounds just looking for a nice home to be fired in. I'm about as Front Range as you can get. :~)

Stu

LOL Stu !! Well perhaps once I get the ‘new’ Pre War, rode hard and put away wet 44 HE cleaned up and presentable, we can try and talk getting Peak53 together with us sometime and see how they do. Til then, take care and keep your powder dry sir. Tony

Well the way I see it, one good birth offsets the one not so good birth, helping in keeping this world on an even keel.

I'm still hoping to sneak up one one of those beauties myself one of these days. I have some guns in my safe for almost that length of time that need their first shooting as well. Hope to see a target from yours soon!