My apologies for breaking the rules earlier. It wasn't my intention to offer it for sale.

There is a local person selling an unknown model 44 Special. He's asking a thousand. I'm very tempted to make an offer but trying to find as much as I can about it. I've attached photos from the ad. Anything you can tell me about it such as model # or possible year will be appreciated.

Attached Images

	S&W44Spec-1.jpg (38.4 KB, 1051 views)
	S&W44spec-2.jpg (37.9 KB, 936 views)
	S&W44spec-3.jpg (29.6 KB, 769 views)

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Dave

A five screw Model of 1950 with the 4" barrel in that condition??? Buy it. NOW.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I wouldn't go much more than 8 or maybe 9 if you're eat up with it. Reasons:

1) When/if you sell it, the first comment the average buyer will make is, "too bad it's not a 44 Mag." Happened to me with a 24-3 I had years ago.

2) Guns in general are artificially inflated due to the political environment. I expect a 10-20% value correction for ALL firearms in the Spring/Summer.

3) Smith and Wesson revolvers in particular are overvalued at this point.

To paraphrase John Amber, $1000 isn't too much, it's just a few years too early. JMO.

I would try to get it for less, but wouldn't have a problem paying the asking price. Especially if all SN's match and there is no evidence of a refinish. I'd love to find one like that. Chances are, you won't happen across another one.

I would....

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Halfway and one more step

Go get it before you're sniped.If it's original,it's a steal.

I would not have been able to pay that price because I would have dislocated and/or broken my shoulder grabbing for my wallet and would have had to be carried to the hospital.

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Possum—The other white meat!

That gun looks like a beautiful original finish. I wouldn't hesitate to give a grand for it.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

I'm reading this forum and fretting over spending over a grand on a snowblower I'm going to get far less enjoyment out of... Looks like a real beauty, you'll love shooting a .44 Special. Especially if you reload.

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Join the NRA today

That's a beauty. If the serial number (located on bottom of grip frame) is between S75000 - S263000 it would confirm it is "The .44 Hand Ejector 4th Model Military" (also known as "Model of 1950 .44 Military" as mentioned by JP@AK and also referred to as a "Pre-Model 21" because after 1957 S&W started using model numbers to designate revolvers).

As far as year - the trigger guard screw was eliminated in 1961 so it's earlier than 1961. The upper side plate screw was eliminated 1956 so it's earlier than 1956 (more than likely). It should not be model marked on the frame opposite the yoke but there's a chance it might be model marked Model 21 but I would doubt it. The first year of production for this revolver was 1950. My best guess is it dates to sometime between 1950-1956.

Per the SCSW (Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson) 3rd Edition, copyright 2006, only 1,200 of these were produced from 1950-1966 (remember after 1957 they were renamed The Model 21). The 10 year old SCSW lists the following values:
Excellent - $3000
Very Good - $1000

If the stocks/grips have the matching serial # stamped on the inside of one of the stocks/grips and assuming the pictures shown fairly represent the gun I think it would be fair to opine that gun is in original (non-refinished) condition, somewhere between very good and excellent condition. $1000 seems a more-than-fair asking price. I wouldn't hesitate to pursue a purchase at that price. I'd ask if they would take less and if not I'd be a buyer. If there is an original box involved you might have a major bargain.

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Scoundrel & Ne'er-Do-Well

That is a great .44 Special, seldom seen. If you really want a classic, buy it now, they do not come around that often.

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Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL

If it is a legitimate deal the price is very low, which is why I wonder if it is a legitimate deal...caveat emptor and a face-to-face transfer at your local FFL would be a good idea.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I agree with the consensus. It seems almost too good to be true, but it is possible that the seller does not know what he has. If everything looks good in person, I would certainly buy. This is a beautiful specimen of a very hard to come by model, made during a particularly special period of Smith's history. And the 44 Special is a great cartridge. Not to mention, that if you are unhappy with the gun, you could easily sell it, with no loss.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

I'm just dropping in on this thread now but if that finish is original nickel go buy it FAST. Make sure it has not been refinished. The pix look almost as if it is made of Stainless but it cannot be because it's a 5 screw which means pre 1956. By 1956-1957 that upper side plate screw was gone.

Back in the 1980s and 1990s hard-chrome was all the rage. Gun lovers were standing line to have the favorite guns hard-chromed. If your picture is accurate and that IS the dull or satin type finish it was likely hard-chromed. If so, the collector's value is ZERO !!

Make certain it has not been refinished. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

I think it is the standard satin blue with odd lighting.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Hard to tell for sure but the finish appears original in the pictures. I would not hesitate to pay $1000; maybe even if it is refinished. Only 1200 of these were made, I've only seen one other for sale. . . and bought it 20 years ago. This one is S142674 which was shipped to the John Jovino gun shop in NYC in 1955 and is refinished in nickel. Grab it while you can.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Attached Images

1950 Military 44.jpg (39.0 KB, 189 views)

Qmark, we should have been seeing photos of a Model of 1950 in a thread titled "I'm thief, look what I just stoled for $1000"

GO BUY IT!

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Bill Bates

Way too much. What's his phone number so I can call and give him mo..., uh, a piece of my mind.

Picture this-
It is the last 10 seconds of the Superbowl.
The ball is fumbled on the one yard line and rolls into the endzone. Joe is ten feet away from the ball, his team is losing by 5, and all he has to do is cover the ball and his team wins the Superbowl. He is being blocked by the five largest and toughest players in the world and his leg has been broken, but in one Herculean lunge with his good leg, he pushes them aside and lands so hard on the ball it bursts. Joe has snatched victory from certain defeat, won the Superbowl single handedly, and is declared the greatest player of all time.
If THAT gun is truly being offered at THAT price, you should be making Joe look like a slacker!

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

and..........
that is the original BLUE.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

I don't get all excited about too many handguns anymore but the "Military .44" gets me every time, for a little while I was attracted to Heavy Duties but after firing one and owning an Outdoorsman its the big .44 that gets me nowadays. I'd be like the others throwing my back out reaching for my wallet at any price around a grand and have a hard time walking away if it was slightly more. I can't complain about not getting good deals because I've stumbled into a few but I would not walk away from that one.

I've stumbled across some excellent deals on some S&W revolvers. These young guys that have inherited dad or grandpa's old revolver are often willing to trade for or sell for enough to get the latest plastic fantastic, hi-cap rapid firing 9MM.

Probably the best was getting a nice 28-2 for a compact Taurus 45 I had a about a hundred into. I had to chip in 20 bucks after forgetting to bring spare mag. I got a model 57 no dash for an older FN 9MM in a straight across deal. After we swapped, shook hands he asked. "Why would you want something that shoots an out of date impossible to find caliber". I didn't tell him to look for ammo someplace other than the Wal-Mart we met up at. Telling him instead I had some 30 year old ammo I wanted to burn up. He responded with something like glad you're happy didn't think I'd ever get rid of it.

I've walked away from a few time wasting deals as well. The young'ens often inherit a model 10 or 15, sometimes a police trade-in and think its worth a small fortune. I had one kid show up with a beat to heck Navajo police surplus model 15. The M-15 had a name and what I assume was a badge number very sloppily engraved on it. He began negotiations by claiming a pawn shop offered him 900 because of the Navajo connection.

Doesn't look like I'm getting the 44. Apparently the seller did some research and discovered a grand was low.

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Dave

Sorry to hear that you couldn't close the deal. As you can tell, we get excited by the successes of others. It's motivating. I was able to pick up a nice 3.5 inch pre-27 a few months ago for $626. I gave the seller $640 and told him that lunch was on me.

I like to refer to the old story if it seems to good to be true. It is! I like to have a fair supply of greenbacks in my wallet so if offers like the above ones are made, I jump all over it. I need one of those for my collection. I have one now but the finish has that that purple gold color. The seller assured its factory S&W but I've lost a few nights sleep over it and by the way I paid $1250 for it. O well life goes on and I continue my search for the one that will satisfy my S&W addiction.

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Bob
Sic Semper Tyrannis

I would like to thank all of the forum members for letting me know that my gun was priced way too low. I will now ask $3,000 for it. Thanks again.

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James Redfield
LM #497

I'll take it. Pm me.

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Memory of Randy Freas-Rimfired

All, thanks for the help identifying my 44 special. It is all original except the grips
I did check under the grips and they are numbered but I do not think they match. The numbers are kind of mixed up. If I could figure out how to show better pics I would. Sounds like it's a neat peices of smith history.

Most times, the digits are stacked.

12 over 345

The prefix "S", "N", "K" etc are left off.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Sorry the deal went south. I looked at that beauty and fell head over heels in lust.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Bummer...I like to stay optimistic and hope something will turn up, I have found deals have a way of happening without looking for it, at least for me anyway. Was at the range yesterday and watching one of the members shooting a nice K-22. I walked over and talked to him, he told me that one of the partners in his medical facility knew that he was into firearms and sent a note via his wife to see if Doc could help him out. Seems he wanted something "practical" for self defense and had a few "old" guns he was willing to trade. Doc traded him a very nice Glock 19 for an early M&P .38 and the very nice 5-screw K-22, both guns were in excellent condition just not used anymore and of little value to the well heeled guy who was in the mood for something modern...go figure.

If I had seen that revolver, I would have written a check for the gun, went to the bank for the cash, redeemed the check for cash, and I would not have wasted any time on the internet. That revolver would have been mine.

What is the new price? I'm interested.

Stay in contact with the seller, he'll probably hit a few local gun shops and come running back to you after he hears what they are willing to offer.

I was in contact with him. Apparently somebody from this forum connected with the seller.

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Dave

ouch! I guess next time you need to hold your cards a little closer to your vest or get that Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson and then show was you got after you get it home. I might also be a good idea to delete your location by your user name, I didn't realize it was that competitive out there.

Kurac, I posted the info in hopes somebody from this group would get it. During the time I was connecting with the seller he retracted his original $1,000 price and was playing the field to see what he could get. I originally put a link to his ad not knowing it was a violation of the rules and it was promptly removed. After realizing the price was beyond what I could spend and stay happily married. I shifted it here hoping it would go to a hard core collector. Whomever got it, I'm happy for you.

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Dave

Dave:

Spoken like a gentleman. You are a good guy, and I admire your attitude.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Yea...........but "reloading" for the snow blower is a heck of a lot easier especially this time of year

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

I still have the 44 special. Just not sure what to do with it now???

Sell it to the Man you offered it to for $1,000 bucks, that's what a real man would do! just sayin!

A real man would inform himself of the value of a rare item and then sell it for a fair price. That's exactly what the owner did by asking questions in this forum. Qmark, the OP of this thread, made this forum aware of a rare item that he knew he could not afford after advising the seller to come here for information. I believe that both the seller and Qmark did the right thing.

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Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

Just an update. For the heck of it I contacted seller. He told me he got $2400.00 for it to a local (Phx area) buyer.

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Dave

At the OP, when something like that pops up move quickly...use your gut instincts.

I missed one by one hour. Local dealer would only take cash or there was a fee. I thought, heck I can run to an ATM get the cash and pay him. Someone beat me to it and got a Pre-29 6.5" for $ 1,000.00 with the box and all the goodies, looking LNIB.

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Rather be outdoors

It wasn't me, but I'm glad someone local got it. It would be nice if there was a 'home town' forum where we could put together a range day....

There was some local activity from the Cast Boolit board. Due to poor health I was unable to participate and haven't kept in touch.

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Dave

Geez, that's one of my grail guns....

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OGCA Member.

You and about 98% of the board members!! Can't believe I could have had it for a grand. I had just prior to seeing it on Backpage made two gun buys and didn't want to deal with being nagged. "OH NO NOT ANOTHER HOW MANY DO YOU NEED". If I had bought it and turned it for a $1400 profit. She would have had it spent in her mind before the check cleared.

Years ago a friend came close to a divorce after buying some legal full autos. After selling his M-60 for an obscene amount. His wife was planning a vacation and cruise while awaiting ATF clearance. My friend put the money, about 40,000+ into his personal credit union account and told his wife to forget it's there until I die.

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Dave

OK, all of you out there who’ve never missed gun ‘opportunities’ as acquisition deal or parting with one before its time… Also those of you, ever affording that last bid… You all, unlikely to appreciate this message.

Over many decades of collecting, to believe such hit/miss fortunes inherent to the ‘gun collecting sport’, well played! Balancing disposable income priorities, skimming, fudging for that surprise gun ‘find’. Walking away from some great deals, balancing against the washing machine repair, new tires, kids braces…

Needing firm 'hobby rules’ within wider dynamics of life panorama. Frankly for me, not having it any other way. Budgets, missing ‘deals’, making the ‘wins’ ever so much more meaningful, balancing 'life happening'.

Also here, footnote specific. Not ‘ordinarily’ begrudging the guy who cruised away with ‘the deal’ where cash talks and ‘banter’ walks. Insider sniping, friends or colleagues; hurtful. Beyond, part of the game with slips of lips - hazarding rips!

Christmas forthcoming, sixtieth anniversary, NRA Life Member with stripes & long "Benefactor"! Substantial panorama! Shops, shows, nooks & crannies. ‘Deals’. Memories, war stories attached. Not to go there. Yet the point, excepting those seriously in the business where ‘guns are butter’… A philosophy since about 'with family' in early thirties.

Wishing you all healthy positive perspective of 'good sport' and ever with such balanced view of 'collecting well played'!

Just an old man's...
My take

Well said, "********скра"... I guess you know that Iskra is "Spark" in Russian, or did we have this discussion before?.....seems like déjà vu all over again...

But you make many valid points here. I've just been thinking that I should never have bought that 4506 that I got a couple of weeks ago, don't need it, it's not even in my area of collecting interest, but I'll bet it'll work out down the road, because someone is going to want it, and I'll feel good about selling it, since I haven't figured out why I bought it in the first place!!

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Hi Wes and thanks for the kind words.