.44 Hand Ejector 2nd Model 5 Inch

[GRI]

This my .44 Hand Ejector 2nd Model with a 5 inch barrel. The question, is it a factory 5 inch? Maybe yes or maybe no. It depends on your point of view. The gun as been cut back to 5 inches. Normally, this would make it a non-factory 5 inch. However, it was cut back at the factory. Without taking a position, if you believe it is not a factory 5 inch gun, then to you a gun sent back to the factory for engraving would not be factory engraved. It would be "engraved by factory engravers."

[GRI]

Other side of gun

[handejector]

How can you confirm that the Factory cut it?
In over 50 years of collecting and dealing, I have never seen a barrel which has a forged front sight base cut and the sight base reattached by the Factory.

Generally, collectors are seeking guns in the configuration they shipped in. In other words, original condition.
Sure, a gun sent back to the Factory to be engraved is a Factory engraved gun. But, it was not originally engraved. There is a difference.

[S&W ucla]

A close up of the patent dates on top of the barrel and of front sight base would help. The factory would likely replace with a new 5" barrel if it had been sent back for that. Does SN on barrel match cylinder and butt? Did it letter in a different barrel length? Neat gun either way!

[GRI]

Originally Posted by handejector

How can you confirm that the Factory cut it?
In over 50 years of collecting and dealing, I have never seen a barrel which has a forged front sight base cut and the sight base reattached by the Factory.

Generally, collectors are seeking guns in the configuration they shipped in. In other words, original condition.
Sure, a gun sent back to the Factory to be engraved is a Factory engraved gun. But, it was not originally engraved. There is a difference.

Lee, I really appreciate your inputs. My post is really more about how we view things and less about the gun. I believe that being 5" it is unlikely they would have a barrel to replace it with. Of the guns I have examined, after market cutting almost always led to a non-original sight, since it would require extensive work to reuse the original sight. I do not have a letter, but the letter may not explain why it went back to the factory. A careful examination of the gun (to include the finish and components) does not reveal any obvious other reason for going back. However, you are certainly right, I cannot be sure and it could have had work done on the action (or something similar like the fitting of the stag grips). When I first saw the gun, because of the workmanship, I and others did not realize it had been cut.