Awhile back I came into what turned out to be a 2d model 44 HE, manufactured in 1924. I bought it sight unseen because the price was EXTREMELY right and if nothing else I'd have some parts. I was originally told over the phone that it was a "44 Special with some really different grips on it." Manufacturer? "I'll have to get back to you." Well a few days later another phone call confirmed that it was a Smith not a Charter Arms. I sent the money, my FFL got it and I finally got to see my "parts" gun. It was tight. Locked up nice. and finish is pretty decent with no rust or dings. It even came with an old holster that somebody had whittled on with their pocket knife. As it came out of Arizona, maybe a bored cowhand sitting around the campfire at night? The grips turned out to be a set of altered faux buffalo horn. I was able to find a pair of aftermarket service style grips for it but the quest for originals is on-going.

Now for my question. Have any of you come ever across a 5 inch barreled 44 HE? I've been doing this for a number of years now and have worked on a whole bunch of them. They're noted as coming in lengths of 4, 5, and 6 1/2 inches but I ain't never seen one until now. I can't find a picture of one or even one for sale on the Internet. The only thing I've encountered has been the 6 1/2 inch. Not only that but it has a butt swivel too.

I was going to contact Roy Jinks but it appears that they're still not taking any history requests.

Welcome aboard Fossikker.

Great find!

If it's original and has not been cut to 5" it's a scarce and very desirable 44 2nd Model. Many have been posted on this forum, just do a search. Please post some photos.

The lanyard swivel could be ordered on any gun. However many 44 2nd models (and other models) were assembled by S&W on surplus 1917 Military .45 ACP frames which had lanyard swivels and could also explain why yours does. Look in the yoke for an eagle head over an S# like S2, S32, etc.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Thanks for the info Hondo44. I'm attempting to attach some photos but I'm old and technologically challenged and the forum only allowed me 5 photos. The barrel is original and uncut. If you'd like to see more then I'll try to post some one way or another...

I took a closer look inside the yoke and sure enough there's a '32' stamped in one corner but no 'S'. There's something above it but darned if I can make out what it is. Even with a magnifier. Maybe the Eagle head you spoke of. (That's one of the photos I couldn't post)

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Great looking gun and hard to find. Yours appears to be in good condition and the holster is the perfect companion to it. Here is another.

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John. SWCA #1586

Yes, I owned one for several years. I have had my hands on a couple more and seen some here on the forum. The 5" 2nd Model .44 Hand Ejector is classified as "Scarce" by SCSW, more common than "Rare", but still not plentiful.

1974 I took it with me to S&W for a re-finish, expecting their normal excellent work! When I finally got it back 10 months later they had absolutely destroyed it, even as a shooter! It had apparently been given to an apprentice polisher who didn't understand the nice, domed, factory installed, plug for the lanyard ring hole. He filed the plug flat and left a groove across the butt about 3/8" wide where the plug was! He also re-shaped the top strap like the post 1922 guns, with the flat top! This removed nearly all of the rear sight notch.

This had been one of my absolute favorite revolvers! Once I got it back it made me sick just to look at it. Sold it to a dealer at a gun show for about what I was in it for including the re-finish, $85 as I recall. S&W DOESN"T always do good work, or even acceptable!

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Gunsmithing since 1961

OK, I'm back. I had to go up-chuck. It sounds like they out-sourced it to Pakistan. I WAS going to send a M17 no dash to them for "Factory" refinish. Now...

Here's a recent thread with 2nd Model HEs including some 5 inch ones.

2nd Model 44 Appreciation Thread--Show 'em!

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Does anyone else here wonder why they made a five-inch instead of the 5.5 inches of the M-1917 .45?

Maybe S&W didn't like that length, but the govt. demanded it. So, in a fit of pique or company pride, they made the .44's as five inchers?

Both look good. The Third Model with a barrel lug probably does look best as a five incher.

"Maybe S&W didn't like that length, but the govt. demanded it. So, in a fit of pique or company pride, they made the .44's as five inchers?"

My triple lock, shipped in 1910, is a 5".

The Army used SAAs in 5 1/2" and also the Colt 1909 DA was a 5 1/2".

I also have a refinshed 2nd Model 5" .44 Special. Mine has a lanyard loop too.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

A 5 inch 2nd model shipped March 1932

Smith's choice of barrel lengths including the 5" predated the 1917, which I agree that the government specified the 5 1/2" barrel for the 1917.

But since their N frame 5 inch 1st and 2nd models preceded the 1917, Smith just stuck with the 5".

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Great find and an awesome gun. Who made the after market grips?

Congratulations on the "parts gun".

Dan

I ordered a set of the Heritage grips from S&W. Took about 3 months to get them.

Back in 1968 or '69. I bought a 5" second model .44 HE in .44-40 Winchester. It appeared to be unfired, and I never fired it, before trading it off. I paid either $ 60 or $65 for it. It is the gun I most regret getting rid of now, but back then I had no idea of the scarcity of the model and caliber. As I recall, I traded it even up for a like new M28, 4".

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Tom
1560