Update; Bill Cross at the S&W Historical Foundation came through big time and made for one heck of a good surprise for me on this gun. Before you read anything else have a look at this letter:



And here are shots of the gun:















Along with the further documents:














edit: Everything appears to be answered, none of this is applicable any more:

So at this point most of my questions are answered.

I do wonder if the Factory installed the frame mounted hammer, that doesn't seem to be mentioned. I wonder if someone else installed that and S&W just bobbed and refinished the hammer? It seems like it would be a pretty odd thing to do. However, the trigger guard was obviously changed after the gorgeous re-finish.

Also, I probably really should figure out who to talk to to finish off the grips properly.


Below is the original text of my first post on this gun:

Quote:

Just purchased this little gem. There's good things, there's bad things, there's a lot of mystery I'm hoping someone here may be able to help me with. Here's what I know (or think I know): * Confirmed it is Chambered in .44 Russian * Shortened Barrel * Bobbed Hammer w/ Firing Pin removed * Firing Pin installed in the frame * Modified sight (how did they do this?) * Factory Reblue, probably in July of 1943 * Rounded rear of trigger guard, post re-blue sadly * Sanderson stocks, maybe originally for a K frame? * S/N 6482 with that lovely little Star next to it As to questions regarding this gun I have a few: 1) Has anyone ever seen this hammer conversion before? 2) Any chance the hammer/barrel/sight were factory jobs in 1943? 3) Any of the wood wizards here want to take on the task of finishing the Sanderson fitting/modifications?