Inheritance

Bubbacop · #1 11-30-2021, 09:20 PM

Hi I inherited these revolvers a little while ago and I can’t figure out what models they are. There is no model number anywhere on the revolvers other then one being a 44 special and the other a 38 special, any information on these revolvers would be really appreciated thank you in advance.

Sergio

Bubbacop · #2 11-30-2021, 09:22 PM

Here’s a couple more pics
-Sergio

1Aspenhill · #3 11-30-2021, 09:32 PM

The 44 special is a 3d model or Model of 1926 and the 38 special is a M&P post war.

wheelgun610 · #4 11-30-2021, 09:34 PM

The .38 is ca. 1949 M&P, and the .44 is a .44 Military from around 1929. Both appear to be factory nickeled guns, and both are wearing aftermarket grips.

Mark

Wiregrassguy · #5 11-30-2021, 09:39 PM

Bubba, give us the serial numbers off the butt and we maybe can tell you more. BTW, that 44 HE is awesome! But the grips are not original on either gun.

wheelgun610 · #6 11-30-2021, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiregrassguy

Bubba, give us the serial numbers off the butt and we maybe can tell you more...

Guy, the S/N's are visible in the second set of photos.

Mark

22hipower · #7 11-30-2021, 09:55 PM

The .44 3rd Model Hand Ejector/Model of 1926 probably shipped to Wolf & Klar in Fort Worth. We've seen several of those here lately and you can find quite a few previous posts about them and Wolf & Klar by using the search button at the top of the page.

I don't see any obvious signs of a refinish but the pictures aren't all that sharp either. Pull the grips and check the left side of the frame for an N and possibly indication of a return to S&W for service which would be a date format of month/year (perhaps 11.52 or comparable) also on the left side of the frame.

Also check the back of the cylinder and under the barrel in the ejector shroud to insure the SNs stamped there all match; there might be an N stamped on the back of the cylinder too. There might be a letter under the barrel too although not part of the SN if so it would probably be a B indicating the gun was originally blue; hope there is no B which should confirm it was originally nickel.

Nice gun, can you tell us any more about it? Those were favorites of lawmen, especially Texas lawmen, in the 30s and 40s. . .and longer. Great inheritance.

Jeff
SWCa #1457

merl67 · #8 11-30-2021, 10:14 PM

My condolences on your loss. Someone left you two nice revolvers the 44 is particularly nice even with the non original grips.

Bubbacop · #9 11-30-2021, 10:19 PM

Thank you all so much, the guns belonged to the sheriff of Richland Co. SC back in the 50’s maybe and my uncle was good friends with him and when he passed the sheriffs wife gave them to my uncle.
The number on the cylinder is different then the grip took pics of it.
I’m not a collector but would it be ok to fire these revolvers and are they desirable. Like I said I didn’t know what models they were so I couldn’t find much info on them.

Muley Gil · #10 11-30-2021, 10:34 PM

The .44 Special is VERY desirable!

The number stamped on the frame (picture #3) is an assembly number. The number stamped on the rear face of the cylinder matches the butt serial number.

M29since14 · #11 11-30-2021, 10:41 PM

Both guns should be safe to fire with traditional factory ammunition, if they are clean and mechanically sound. Stay away from anything +P, to be on the safe side. If in doubt about the mechanics, might be wise to let an S&W armorer have a look at them.

It appears the number on the cylinder of your .44 Military matches the butt serial number, but the cylinder picture is not too clear. If the nickel on the .44 is factory original finish, I’d think it’s a pretty valuable gun to a fellow who is interested in that model, or revolvers from that era.

Kansasgunner · #12 12-01-2021, 08:35 AM

Very nice pair of revolvers you have there. That 3rd Model 44 is exceptional! I couldn’t see the serial number inside the barrel shroud, so don’t know if the B is present. My gut feeling is that there is no B and you have a very nice factory nickel 5” gun. You will really enjoy shooting both guns. Thanks for sharing.

22hipower · #13 12-01-2021, 08:45 AM

Looks good, no factory rework stamps, finish looks original to me. You didn't show us or mention the SN under the barrel in the ejector shroud. Again, nice gun, if it were mine I'd get a S&W historical letter when the moratorium on those is lifted which will tell you where and when it originally shipped. No surprise that a sheriff owned it, the lawmen from those days seemed to favor these 44s. You can find period correct stocks although they're not inexpensive; there's a set offered here on the Classified section now ($325 I think) and worth it in my estimation. Great gun, worth several thousand dollars and you definitely can shoot it.

Here's my 4 inch with both the correct original stocks and a set of Wolf & Klar carved mother of pearl that often were added to these 44s.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Bubbacop · #14 12-01-2021, 11:18 AM

Hi and thanks again for all your help. I couldn’t find a B but there is a W.
And what would the B mean?

Wiregrassguy · #15 12-01-2021, 11:57 AM

The extractor locking Bolt partially covers the serial number inside the shroud. But, it appears to be the same as on the cylinder and butt. That means the gun's all original. Quite an awesome pick up!

mtgianni · #16 12-01-2021, 12:03 PM

As you are probably aware but hasn't yet been stated S&W did not assign model numbers until the late 1950's. You have an excellent pair of revolvers that you can shoot and enjoy.

1Aspenhill · #17 12-01-2021, 12:20 PM

A "B" would mean it was originally blue and the "W" is just a fitter/inspectors mark.

Bubbacop · #18 12-01-2021, 01:42 PM

Thank again this forum is awesome, regarding the 38 special is that a desirable revolver and is just called S&W 38 MP?

Eddie Southgate · #19 12-01-2021, 02:56 PM

Either one by itself would be an awesome inheritance but the two together, that's awesomer !!

JP@AK · #20 12-01-2021, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubbacop

regarding the 38 special is that a desirable revolver and is just called S&W 38 MP?

Yes. It is a postwar .38 Military & Police model. It almost certainly shipped in 1949.

Desirable yes. Valuable? Not so much.

Muley Gil · #21 12-01-2021, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubbacop

Thank again this forum is awesome, regarding the 38 special is that a desirable revolver and is just called S&W 38 MP?

The .38 Military & Police was the most common S&W ever built, with millions built from 1899 and is still being manufactured today, although with many updates. It is now called the Model 10. Model numbers were assigned by the company in 1957 and started showing up stamped on firearms in 1958.

Your .38 should be a good shooter, but it isn't a primo collector's item.

quinn · #22 12-01-2021, 03:29 PM

Bubbacop, the 3rd model "Wolf & Klar" was a very popular LEO gun in its day. According to shipping records W&K at that time ordered this model--which they had an exclusive on at that time-half blue and half nickel. As working guns many were refinished after a few years, and many of the formerly blue guns were refinished in nickel which many cops felt was more durable. Finding a W&K in original finish is very desirable. With a little gentle application of fFitz and a couple of coats of wax, I think yous would really shine.

Bubbacop · #23 12-01-2021, 06:26 PM

Thank you all

Kinman · #24 12-01-2021, 07:05 PM

Sorry for your loss but you've got yourself a pair of excellent firearms built back in the day when the craftsmen were still plying their trade, hence no model numbers.