I'm looking at a Model 544 in 44-40. Did they use the Model 24 and modify it to make the 44-40 work? I am looking for some knowledge on this. Thanks for any information you may have.

You could say that, or more accurately, say it was a Model 29 with a 5 inch barrel and a different cylinder.

The bore is NOT .427" which is the modern standard for 44/40 ammunition. It is .429" which is the standard for 44 Special and Magnum. Therefore lead ammo won't perform well but jacketed might be OK. It's been a long time since I shot mine so I'm hazy on details. The guns were produced as a commemorative and not necessarily as shooters. They are very nice looking and my favorite barrel length.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

Never knew they made this caliber. Thought it would make a nice display with my lever action 44-40. This is also a commemorative revolver.

Lots of S&W enthusiasts are familiar with the model 544 Texas Wagon Train Commemorative.

However most of the S&W community is only familiar with the standard edition. This is a 5" blue steel N-frame chambered in 44-40 and housed in a basswood presentation case. This was S&W product code 103195



While the revolver depicts the Texas Wagon Train, it was built to commemorate the Texas Sesquicentennial (150th birthday). The Sesquicentennial Commission had reserved a serial number block to produce 7800 revolvers. However, this commemorative was a failure and only 4782 were manufactured.

The first 150 revolvers were Deluxe editions, product code 103196. These had engraving and gold wire line work along with hand scrimshawed, coke shaped, Elephant Ivory target stocks. The hammer, trigger, cylinder release and ejector rod are all gold plated. The Sesquicentennial Commission also had a bronze Texas Longhorn produced for the Deluxe version of the model 544. These bronzes are signed and numbered to the revolvers. There is also a large medallion that was produced.

All of this fits into a large presentation case with glass on 5 sides and lid that opens up. This huge case is also mounted on a lazy susan so that it can be rotated and viewed from any angle.

I like serial numbers. Pictured here is a deluxe 544, serial number 44. chambered in 44-40. That is just a lot of 44s to describe one firearm

I have often referred to the 150 Model 544 Texas Wagon Train Deluxe Commemoratives as one of Smith and Wesson's finest presentations of one of their worst selling Commemeratives.

And now I know the rest of the story. Beautiful display case, great revolver, and the longhorn is a nice touch.

Someone near me is offering one of these for $650.00. Says it's only shot 100 or so rounds, and comes with the presentation box and all. I'm in love with all big-bore Smiths, and am very tempted. Any suggestions/opinions/input --positive, negative or otherwise-- would be greatly appreciated.

Oh... forgot to ask, can this firearm shoot .44 special rounds?

Thanks!

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Guns, roses, and fishing!

No 44 spls. But seems like a good buy to me.

Charlie

For 650 I'd buy it in a heartbeat. But being the infidel I am, I'd get a Model 29 cylinder fitted...

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Even older, even crankier....

Go figure...they made a 5" .44 Mag ejector shroud barrel and put the wrong cylnder behind it...because who would ever want a modern 5" ejector shroud model 29?

Years back i thought about buying one these and fitting a .44 cylinder to it. Wish i had.

$650 is a great price. Most of these I've seen were unfired or nearly so. I've never heard of anyone working up handloads on a serious level, but I'd be all over it for the chance!
Yes, it was common knowledge at the time that the barrels were standard S&W barrels with the usual .429-.430" specs. What I never heard was the cylinder throats. I would hope them to be .429-431", but you never know with the 44-40. Could be as tight as .427". Nonetheless, I'd still get it and factor in reaming the throats if needed. It's neither expensive nor difficult.

44-40 is a fine chambering when done right, with safe ballistics somewhat between mild 44 Special and 44 Magnum.

Nice find!

Jim

I have one that I bought "used" that appears like it may not have been fired outside of the factory. I checked the throats and they run .426-.427. Have no idea what the barrel would slug. If it is a .429, it might not be very accurate. I bought a box of ammo, but have not had the inclination to fire it. It is engraved "Mary Catherine Conrad" in old English script on the right side of the barrel.

While they might not have intended to be a working gun, I would have appreciated if the factory would have least made it to be one, to consistent specifications.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

I saw one for sale and was unfamiliar with it. If it was local
I would be on it though. Good deal and unusual caliber.

Did you buy it yet?

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

Richard, unfortunately this a Zombie thread from 2/2016. I have handloaded 44/40 and it's a bit tricky. Every cylinder seems to have a slightly different shoulder dimension. I did learn you can sometimes chamber the round by pushing hard with your thumb.

I laugh at Mark declaring the 544 a failure because only 4782 of 7800(61.3%) were sold. This compares very favorably with the Winchester 1873 rifles special editions 1 of 100(8 made) and 1 of 1000(136 made) as reported by Philip Schreier, Senior Curator, NRA Museum.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

An old thread, yes, but I was referring to Aiala's thread of 4/23/17 that he was offered one.

When I started SASS there were several shooters in our club that loaded and shot 44/40. I have never tried that but have read that it is tricky, but that Starline makes brass with a thicker neck and has less case damage when inserting the bullet. I have my doubts that I will ever reload a 44/40, so it is all moot. But, sometimes I am really tempted to shoot the box of factory that I bought with the gun.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

I have a shooter condition M544. It does well with .44-40s and with .44 Specials.

The Specials are shot through a M29 cylinder that I fitted to it.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Ok now I'm jealous! A 5" Model 29 would be a grail for me.

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Even older, even crankier....

Glad this got resurrected- I hadn't seen the upscale version before. Have a regular version, loaded 44-40 no issues and shot it - fun!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

With that revolver along with a "Keith44spl" leather belt holster outfit no Bar-BQ would be complete without your presences

The cylinder is slightly shorter than a Model 29 cylinder. If you want to fit a 29 cylinder to the revolver, you will have to shorten it slightly.

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S&WCA 1729

Yes indeedy. Brother Burt supplied the cylinder AND had the machine work done on it for my two cylinder M544 conversion. You have to use a later M29 cylinder, without the cartridge recesses, so not to alter the frame lug.

Don't know why, probably due to being a poor boy all of my life, but I have studied the ins and outs of convertible revolvers my entire handgunning career. The easiest ones are the single actions, where you only have to swap cylinders. I have a Ruger New Model Blackhawk with the .45 Colt and .45 ACP cylinders. I had the ACP cylinder altered to also use .45 Auto Rim ammo. My collection has a Cimmaron/Uberti Model P Jr (a 7/8th verion of the SAA) in .32-20/.32 H&R Magnum as well. Some day I'll get a single action in .40 S&W/10mm/.38-40.

.45 ACP/.45 Colt S&Ws are a bit harder, due to the thick frame lug. I need to send M25-5 out for a .45 ACP full moon clip modification.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I must have the husbands 544 its engraved DORSEY ALLEN CONRAD

If the barrel is .429, would there be a possibility the cylinder could be altered for 44 Special?

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

No, .44-40 has a larger diameter casehead than either .44 Special or .44 Magnum. Please see above.

You have to replace the cylinder.

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S&WCA 1729

Like this one?

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S&WCA 1729