It's been reblued and the previous owner was a member of Woodsmen of the World. It had a gold axe glued to the right side which has come off. I assume he also modified the right side grip. Action is tight and it hasn't been shot very much.


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Nice 44 with a very decent reblue. Unfortunately the hammer and trigger were blued. Should be color case hardened. If it were mine and I didn't want to spend to have them re-color cased, I'd remove the blue, but would not polish off the blue. Strip the blue with Naval Jelly. It will leave a dull gray similar too a worn cch ham and trigger.

1930's vintage.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

It's amazing how people can destroy a classic revolver like this.

That is an idea. I guess since it's been reblued, there is no collector value and it's just a shooter?


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Nice 5" with some character! To bad about the re blue and the hammer and trigger, but don't feel shy about shooting that .44! I have two and they are a lot of fun at the range!

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Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL

If it were mine I'd get rid of the rind stones grips the very first thing those are truly tacky. I'd leave the bluing just as is, maybe polish out the hammer and trigger. Then I'd buy a bull whip, Fedora hat and a Indiana jones poster and hang them all together on the wall, but that's me....LOL.

I would hardly call your 44 "destroyed". Who knows how much finish wear it had before!

Every decent Smith has some collector value, even if just as a nice shooter. It may not have high "originality" collector value, but it's still good looking and is a fine shooter. The level of collectability is in the eye and the wallet of the beholder. We can't all afford or want pristine guns and/or safe queens.

Stripping the blue on the ham and trigger will make it a bit more original looking. In fact, if you do a quick and sparse application of Naval Jelly, it can leave some uneven blue hues that more resemble worn CCH.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I happen to have the hat and whip and the poster. I live in Dallas. Some yahoo would take it off the wall. Replacement grips are really expensive. Cheaper to find new rhinestone.


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I'd letter it - maybe those rhinestones were factory special order... you never know... well they're probably not from the factory, but I would replace them. If you happen to be a bit mystical, they may be crystals with special properties that will help you shoot better - but figuring out the color pattern is going to be a challenge... I'd go with bright red on the left and another white one on the top - kind of a patriotic, red white and blue center.

BTW - GREAT PHOTOS of a 44 that some previous owner really cared for!!!

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

You may be surprised what you can find on Gunbroker or E-bay.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

It would have been better if he hadn't of used the panel with the serial number on it.


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Good find, No Woodsman in this part of the country would be caught dead or alive with them grips. Otherwise a nice piece, I've grown real fond of my 2nd Model .44 shooter grade...I think they are special.

The grips look like someone's idea of a "mothers ring" for dads.
You know, a birthstone for each kid

That is exactly why I think they are mystic crystals... Either that, or someone's daughter had some extra "bling" after blinging out their phone case and wanted to surprise dad for Fathers' Day...

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

I'm going with mystic, I'm to old to have more kids.


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Cool gun.
The grips I'd send to DWFAN and ask him to re-work. I bet he could make them look great.

Ahh a S&W 44 what's not to love ,I would put a set of Grashorn elk grips on it and call it good go to the range and enjoy . Thanks for posting now I'm wanting me a good 44 shooter.

Wprovenece, you got the rhinestones and I got the lucky seven, what was it with grip embellishment?

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Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL

Oh the stories these old guns would tell us if they could. I like them both, embellishments and all!

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Tim
SWCA #2697

Once again, the wisdom of Hondo44 prevails.

Unless you have plans to accumulate a collection of pristine safe queens such as will be lusted after by the upper echelon of collectors, there is nothing wrong with a mechanically sound, cosmetically attractive .44 Special. In fact, probably 90% + of those viewing this post envy you and half of those would send you whatever you paid for it so you can start the search for an unmolested example.

Yes, I think the rhinestones are cheesy. So what? Pop them out, rub in some Tru-Oil and shoot the tar out of it.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

Regarding stripping the hammer and trigger, here's something else I forgot to mention, case coloring liquid that I acquired from Connecticut Shotgun.

It gives that grayish-brown color with some blues mixed in if you follow their directions.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Thanks


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I haven't heard of him. Can you tell me more?


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He is a member here that restores stocks.
Take a look at this thread.
Another amazing stock revival by DWFan

He may or may not can help but it don't hurt to ask.

DWFAN is a member of this forum and he does outstanding stock re-working. A craftsman who brings older stocks back to life. You might also consider having the hammer and trigger jeweled by your gunsmith.
You have a very nice firearm - enjoy.

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Fred
S&WCA 3238

Thanks everyone. I've messaged him.


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A nice old 44. My recommendation. 'largely' to appreciate it for what it is. A lot of things that could be done, yet none to restore collector status. I can see replacing the grips and I wouldn't particularly be concerned even with 'era'. More for comfortable shooting such as S&W magna. Perhaps removing the blue from hammer & trigger IF DESIRED. Beyond, gilding the Lily and unless a personal labor of love, unlikely to proportionately increase the underlying value according to the expenditure.
When not 'factoring' originality, a nice, classic looking, quality revolver. I'd be proud to own it and happy to shoot it!
Just my take.

I'd rather have the blued trigger and hammer than jeweled.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

A very nice 44. It is exactly what I would pick for packing around the farm. If you decide to let it go, let me know. I have a 6 1/2" gun that really shoots, but I like the shorter barrel for carry. Shotgunner

Nice catch. We spoke about this one briefly on FB over the weekend.

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Regards,
Bruce

I appreciate all the help and comments. Other than new grips I think I'll just shoot it until the blue wears off the the hammer and trigger.


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That 44special is awsome! You're so lucky to have 1.

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Did it come from Cabelas in OKC? I looked at it there last year.

I'm sorry I didn't see this until now. Yes it did. I watched and watched it. Finally pulled the trigger on it.


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That little spot of glue where the ax was should come off with lacquer thinner or acetone.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Unfortunately the axe didn't come with it. I would have left it on. It's a shooter with a little story. I may try hunting with it this year.


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You'll find the ax on ebay, at least eventually, and you can replace it on the gun to be as the owner had it.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

"...what was it with grip embellishment?"

I knew a reserve deputy sheriff who carried a early M15 with diamond target grips. He took white paint and painted the checkered area on both sides of the grips.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I believe the previous owner my have put the birthstone of his children on the grip panel.


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