Recently I came across this 5 screw 44 magnum while browsing online. When I saw that it was a 130XXX, my mouth dropped open. The SN ended up being S130937. Being newer than many to S&W collecting, I don't see many opportunities such as this, unless I wanted to get a divorce! Like many others, I've wanted a registered magnum for a long time, but for the time being, having a very early 44 magnum is just as special. Its a true piece of history, as you all know.
The gun has only very slight holster wear and a light scratch on the side plate. The gun wears a great set of cokes. Its a true 98%+ gun.
The sale of this gun was interesting. This gun was for sale to benefit a sportsman's club in Arizona. The ad stated that the owner (who graciously donated the proceeds of the gun for the club) was in the air force in 1956 stationed on Long Island. One day him and his buddy decided to tour the S&W factory, and so as the story goes they were able to witness the first 44 magnums being manufactured. The owner decided he had to have one, and this gun was the result of those efforts.
Unfortunately, I have no other details at this time. I will be emailing the seller to ask him for the details of the acquisition, just for curiosity sake, and since the previous owner is in his 80s, I'm hoping he put the black case away somewhere and forgot it. I got nothing else with the gun.
I requested a letter on the gun a few weeks ago. I do acknowledge that the gun could have shipped in 1957, because Doc44 posted a gun with an earlier SN which shipped Jan 1957. Doc44 stated that there are currently only 42 known in the S130XXX SN range. Now 43!
A special thanks to forum members Doc44, 29-1 and Masterpiece for their teachings regarding S&W 44 magnums. If not for their willingness to share their knowledge on the forum about S&W 44 magnums, and their countless hours spent researching these guns, we would all know far less about these than we do today.
The gun has only very slight holster wear and a light scratch on the side plate. The gun wears a great set of cokes. Its a true 98%+ gun.
The sale of this gun was interesting. This gun was for sale to benefit a sportsman's club in Arizona. The ad stated that the owner (who graciously donated the proceeds of the gun for the club) was in the air force in 1956 stationed on Long Island. One day him and his buddy decided to tour the S&W factory, and so as the story goes they were able to witness the first 44 magnums being manufactured. The owner decided he had to have one, and this gun was the result of those efforts.
Unfortunately, I have no other details at this time. I will be emailing the seller to ask him for the details of the acquisition, just for curiosity sake, and since the previous owner is in his 80s, I'm hoping he put the black case away somewhere and forgot it. I got nothing else with the gun.
I requested a letter on the gun a few weeks ago. I do acknowledge that the gun could have shipped in 1957, because Doc44 posted a gun with an earlier SN which shipped Jan 1957. Doc44 stated that there are currently only 42 known in the S130XXX SN range. Now 43!
A special thanks to forum members Doc44, 29-1 and Masterpiece for their teachings regarding S&W 44 magnums. If not for their willingness to share their knowledge on the forum about S&W 44 magnums, and their countless hours spent researching these guns, we would all know far less about these than we do today.
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