A "black box" discovery and investigation-->LETTERED!

[Göring's S&W]

A while back I told a fellow S&W collector friend of mine who seems to be exceedingly good at acquiring S&W accessories, that I wanted him to be on the lookout for early black (dark blue) cases for 44 magnums. Its one of those things, can you ever really ever have enough? I am a big fan of model 44 magnums, so I thought, well why not buy some black cases for future case-less 44 magnum purchases. Its been a while since I bought an early 44, perhaps I should work on that

Lo and behold, not even 2 weeks later, he locates one, and its pebble grain! He also informed me that the case had a SN of S130XXX. "Pebble grain" cases are harder to find than the smooth type of black case since they only shipped with 44 magnums during the first 10 mos approx. of 1956. Smooth black cases were used from the last few months of 1956 and for the next few years, until the "clamshell" case arrived in approx. 1960.

Of course I was excited to be getting this case, and after we agreed to a price, he shipped the case to me. The case was nice he said but it had no tools except for the cleaning rod and someone had given it a green felt liner. No worries I thought because the price paid reflected these issues. The big thing I liked was that this case still had the SN on bottom and it turned out to be S130934 - likely an early first year 44 mag SN!

When I initially opened the box and pulled out the case, it showed nice honest wear throughout, but nothing bad. I was pretty happy overall with the exterior condition and how readable the SN was.




I then opened the case and surprise surprise - the original warranty card with the same SN was still inside! Pretty neat I thought!





As you can see, I was pretty happy with this case. However, ever since I was a kid, I have always been the curious type. I was curious why someone would place green felt over what seemed like the original cutout for the gun. I wondered if they had removed the original liner and replaced it with the green felt OR what if...what if they simply placed the green liner over the original lining for some reason*€¦I then pulled out the bottom, and AH-HA! The original liner was in fact underneath!



I then wondered if I was lucky enough that the top lining was still intact as well. Sure enough, it was!



The green "liner cover" was haphazardly stitched to the bottom of both the cutout on bottom and the top liner insert. I carefully removed the green liner, and was left with this. Not too shabby for it being an original liner



Then, once again my curiosity got the best of me - I had to find out when S130934 shipped! I just had to know - so I asked Roy. It shipped in Feb 1956! So this case was basically one of the first 15 shipped! Pretty neat!

On top of all that, there was yet another perk to this case acquisition - I am fortunate enough to already own 44 magnum #937 as in S130937 which shipped 4-2-56!!!



Here they are, together - 44 mag #937 and pebble grain case #934 - only 3 numbers apart! Not bad - and I doubt I will get a case with closer SN, but never say never!



================================================================================
UPDATE 7-30-16

When I ship dated this serial number, to see just how early this case was, I never forgot what Roy said after giving me the ship date:

This is a great gun and deserves a letter.

Now we all know, when you ship date request a serial number, RARELY does Roy offer any comment, however, he did this time, and his words stuck with me. Recently, I remembered my desire to letter the case and sent my request on 7-17. I got my letter 7-30, which is super fast!

I was very happy with what I learned, needless to say! #9!!!! Wow! I may not have the actual #934 revolver, certainly this is a great case!



As for Walter Lookabaugh, I did not find much online about him, except that he was sued along with S&W when a defect in a revolver was blamed for the cylinder blowing up, which caused a policeman to go permanently blind in his right eye.

Cosper v. Smith & Wesson Arms Co. :: :: Supreme Court of California Decisions :: California Case Law :: California Law :: U.S. Law :: Justia

[cbjordan76]

Doesn't get any better than that! Great find, congrats! !

[usm1rifle]

Good for you! That was a most fortunate alignment of the planets.

[Doc44]

S130934 was shipped on February 24, 1956 and is one of the first twelve 44 Magnums made by S&W. The dark blue presentation case with a button latch and pebble grain textured covering was used for ten plus months before being phased out in October/November 1956. The only variation I have noticed in this style of case is the screws used to secure the latch had flat heads through May 1956 and were crowned from June 1956.

I have no idea where the 44 Magnum is.

Bill

[Göring's S&W]

Bill - Thanks for the additional info. I wonder if Roy lettered the gun before? Hmmm

[billwill]

That is better than an old fishing story where a guppy becomes a giant grouper. You are one lucky guy. Did you buy your lottery ticket yet?

That is a nice match up. Good looking 29.

[Rad29]

Jim:

Great case! Thanks for posting and sharing photos. Having a second month (or one of the first 10 produced) Feb '56 pre-29 would be great - having a case is a close second!

Bob

[Göring's S&W]

I decided to letter the case and I just got the letter. Post #1 updated with letter

[sbowenjr]

To cool. Great find!

[SAFireman]

What a neat story. Thanks for sharing.

[Art Doc]

"I have no idea where the 44 Magnum is."

You don't own it?

[Göring's S&W]

"I have no idea where the 44 Magnum is."

You don't own it?

No I don't have S130934, hence me saying that I am keeping my 44 magnum, S130937, with the case.

I would have had to do a separate thread and at least snap a few photos if I had located 44 magnum #9.

[Art Doc]

My comment was meant to be humorous and it was directed at Bill. I thought he owned all the early 44 Magnums.