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05-01-2021, 01:16 PM
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HE 2nd Model 44-40 year of manufacture?
Hi,
I have had a thing for older S&W .44´s for a while (say about 25 years) but I only managed to get one for myself last month.
It is a Hand Ejector Second Model. Serial no is 30167. Stocks are wood, no S&W badge, but with serial no in pencil on back of the right panel. Barrel length is 5". Caliber is 44-40 ctg. It is in used but very good condition.
I was looking for a .44 special but this came up.
I think it is an early 1920s gun. Any suggestions for date of manufacture?
Pic to follow.
LIH
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05-01-2021, 02:15 PM
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Pictures added.
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05-01-2021, 03:04 PM
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Uh... Wow! That one takes my breath away for any number of reasons--not to mention caliber and barrel length!
Edit: According to records on my early 3rd models, I think the serial number on your gun would put manufacture around early to mid 1927. The actual ship date would be something later (see Lloyd17's post).
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Last edited by quinn; 05-01-2021 at 03:19 PM.
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05-01-2021, 03:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LIH
Hi,
I have had a thing for older S&W .44´s for a while (say about 25 years) but I only managed to get one for myself last month.
It is a Hand Ejector Second Model. Serial no is 30167. Stocks are wood, no S&W badge, but with serial no in pencil on back of the right panel. Barrel length is 5". Caliber is 44-40 ctg. It is in used but very good condition.
I was looking for a .44 special but this came up.
I think it is an early 1920s gun. Any suggestions for date of manufacture?
Pic to follow.
LIH
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Great gun. Looks like a batch of 44-40 2nd Models was built around that serial and shipped in early to mid 1932. Stocks must have been left over from the 20's era stocks prior to getting the silver medallion added.
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05-01-2021, 04:44 PM
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Holy Cow!
LIH,
That's a stunner!... a really uncommon stunner, at that. 
My 5" example (SN 27212) shipped March 1927, if that helps any.
-Bill
Shown w/ Keith Brown Service Stocks,
in .44 Special
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05-01-2021, 11:54 PM
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Welcome to the forum Talk about a beauty, and rare thank you for sharing it. I am always amazed at what new members show up with. My first post was a lowly 32 Hand Ejector....
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05-02-2021, 12:18 AM
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Wow! I like 2nd Model H.E. in .44 Special probably as much as any other S&W Model, but 44-40....thats truly remarkable and rare as the proverbial hen's tooth, especially in that barrel length. Your serial number places your revolver right in the middle of being one of 32 pieces to leave the factory. Congratulations, well done.
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05-02-2021, 12:53 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kinman
Wow! I like 2nd Model H.E. in .44 Special probably as much as any other S&W Model, but 44-40....thats truly remarkable and rare as the proverbial hen's tooth, especially in that barrel length. Your serial number places your revolver right in the middle of being one of 32 pieces to leave the factory. Congratulations, well done.
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When did those 32 revolvers ship?
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05-02-2021, 01:19 AM
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44-40 5"ers 1 of 32! - Yes! Beautiful & Rare
Amazing revolvers to be proud of guys! Congrats!
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05-02-2021, 02:07 AM
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Yes, very cool........
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05-02-2021, 09:27 AM
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Thank you all very much for insight and kind words.
I agree with the suggestion that a factory letter is in order. I will look into that.
I did have an idea that this might be a rare gun. Based on your comments here, I may have underestimated just how rare it could be.
I am absolutely delighted with it, and will make sure I take good care of it in the years ahead.
IL
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05-02-2021, 05:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muley Gil
When did those 32 revolvers ship?
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Gil, I just checked my 3rd Edition of the "Bible" It mentions that 565 were made in 44-40 including 32 5" blued in serial number ranges 30052-30204. No idea when they shipped because the range date begins around 15376 and ends at 59XXXX with 1940 being the last year. Fair to say sometime in the mid 30's by my estimation.
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05-03-2021, 06:20 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muley Gil
When did those 32 revolvers ship?
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OP,
This warrants more pictures of your truly rare revolver.
Please post more pictures.
-Bill
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05-03-2021, 09:09 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kinman
Gil, I just checked my 3rd Edition of the "Bible" It mentions that 565 were made in 44-40 including 32 5" blued in serial number ranges 30052-30204. No idea when they shipped because the range date begins around 15376 and ends at 59XXXX with 1940 being the last year. Fair to say sometime in the mid 30's by my estimation.
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The database here on the forum shows a few in that serial range with one 5” ship date documented as April 1932 and a couple 6.5” examples shipping in 1929.
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Last edited by LLOYD17; 05-03-2021 at 09:11 AM.
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05-03-2021, 09:15 AM
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Didn’t know how any were made but do know I have never seen one.
Nice find!
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05-03-2021, 11:16 AM
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That's an outstanding find and acquisition!
The caliber marking on right side of barrel is unique in that period not having the usual "dingbats" on each end of the marking.
Until a letter is obtained, the best estimate of a production date can be based on four main features:
• 1/22/27 change order to replace 'mushroom' extractor knob, with the ‘barrel’ style (with single milling cut under barrel), on all HE non-shrouded barrel models. (Except the 1917s and all models with an extractor rod shroud which always had the barrel style knob from the shroud introduction in 1908 on the .44 HE 1st model, TL.)
• A hammer block safety, mounted in the sideplate was added to the 2nd and 3rd model 44 Hand Ejectors at about #29000 c. 1927, N&J pg. 206.
• 2/11/29 Bright blue change order for all blue guns, S&W 1857-1945, N&J, pg. 235
• 2/11/1929 - Gold plate over brass recessed medallions ordered reinstated in wood stocks but with ‘convex’ stock circles;
3/18/29 changed to flush mounted, flat gold plated;
April 1929 finally changed to flush mounted, flat silver plated over brass thru WW II.
Note: recognize that all of the above dates are just the beginning of the change transition period.
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Last edited by Hondo44; 05-10-2021 at 08:11 AM.
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05-03-2021, 03:06 PM
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Much good info still coming in. Much appreciated. I have uploaded a few more pictures as requested.
LIH
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05-03-2021, 07:04 PM
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Simply beautiful...another one of those pieces that fit into my sock drawer theory.
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05-08-2021, 08:42 AM
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What a wonderful and rare find!
As for the date it popped out, only an historical letter will tell. These are so rare that nobody has a database of reported numbers.
I can help to this degree. I have #30182, a 2nd Mod. .44-40 5"
Mine is lettered. It shipped Feb. 28, 1940.
There's a thread about mine here: .44 HE 2nd Model - .44-40 - #30182 - 5"
You should get yours lettered right away.
Again, congratulations!
Curly
Last edited by CptCurl; 05-08-2021 at 08:43 AM.
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