How about a 44 magnum with 5 screws?

[Doc44]

Correct!!! I acquired S121836 from Gary over twenty years ago when he began to sell off his 44 Magnum collection to fund his adventure into Columbian Exposition revolvers!! S121836 is strictly a photo sample and show promotion gun that was never intended to be fired (hence, the "modifications"). The frame was never given the proper heat treatment for a 44 Magnum.

Bill

 

[silver armadillo]

This is an incredible thread. Trying to absorb all of this and trying to remember , especially after having a stroke blows me away. But its alright , just because I can keep reading this thread over and over , and each time its like reading it for the first time. I also suspect , I can never grow tired at looking at these great guns by some wonderful folks here with their histories. Thank you all so much.

 

[les.b]

Well said. I was thinking along the same lines. This forum is Graduate School for Smith and Wesson aficionados. Where else could we interact with the owners of these fine firearms, and see such extraordinary photographs of such wonderful treasures???

Thanks guys for sharing!!

Best Regards, Les

 

[boykinlp]

I wanted to share with you all a somewhat early 44 magnum I just bought from OH recently. It just came in this past Saturday. Its a 5 screw, 6.5in 44 magnum (pre 29), S153XXX. I don't have a letter yet. The gun is in beautiful shape. There is a small nick in the right grip panel, but I will live with that. The metal condition is fabulous, which I would say is 98%, very slight edge wear, with no holster wear that I can see. I'm still amazed I got this 44 because this is my second 5 screw 44 mag this year. I'm hoping this gun is also a first year example, but many S153XXX range guns shipped in 1957, so I will have to wait and see. The earliest ship date for that SN range that I found was 7-2-56, so there is a chance that it will end up being first year production. Crossing my fingers...Here she is:

Here is the factory letter I got a few months after getting the revolver.

I usually hate to bring threads up from "way back", but while I was surfing, I found this one. Earlier this year, I got my only 5 screw Pre-29 with the presentation case and tools. Like the OP here, I was hoping mine would end up being a first year gun. The serial number for mine was S154153, so I guess the chance of mine being a first year gun was less than the OP. I ended up being lucky since mine shipped 12/18/1956 to the Jordan Howe Company in Willimantic, CT.

There are some unbelievable pictures in this thread, especially the first .44 magnum, by Doc44. Maybe over the past 9 years pictures of a few other early .44's might be added. Here is my first year example:

 

[bdGreen]

.44 Magnum serial number S165445 was shipped in June 1956

This came out of Gary Garbrecht's collection.

enjoy,
bdGreen

Tap on image to enlarge.

 

[ameridaddy]

...hey, ho, way to go, Ohio!



Here is a shot of my early production 44 mag family thus far: top S130937, middle S153562 (the gun of this thread) and bottom a 4 screw 44 magnum (pre 29) S177XXX.

Looks like the Real Dirty Harry is right here on our porch - take a bow!

 

[boykinlp]

.44 Magnum serial number S165445 was shipped in June 1956

This came out of Gary Garbrecht's collection.

enjoy,
bdGreen

Great gun! I realize that S&W didn't ship in serial number order, but your gun really surprises me. Having S165445 be a mid first year gun, while the OP's 153562 wasn't shipped until fairly late in 1957 is nuts! Must have been a bunch of frames stacked on top of the earlier numbered one.

BTW, bdGreen, the top of your presentation case looks brand new!
Larry

 

[Hawg Rider]

Goring's S&W- Wow, that's a beauty that you picked up. And there's a lot of other beautiful .44 Magnums on this post, too! I have a really nice 4-screw (ca. 1957) and a few 29-2s, but haven't found a nice 5-screw yet. If you decide to have your Coke stocks repaired, there are several outstanding craftsmen in the Forum (e.g. DWFAN). I had him fix a chip on my Cokes where the trigger guard impacted the right stock...can't even tell it was repaired. Just FYI. Enjoy!

 

[murphydog]

Guys, cool guns and thread, but the OP started it over 8 1/2 years ago and hasn't been here for 1 1/2 years. Also, DWFAN sadly retired from repairs a few years ago.

 

[Hawg Rider]

LOL! One of these days I'll learn to check the posting dates before I respond. However, I still maintain that the .44 Magnums on display in this post are outstanding!

murphydog: Thanks for the update on DWFAN, I didn't know that he retired but I sincerely hope that he's enjoying life! His craftsmanship will be missed.

 

[Göring's S&W]

I'm not dead yet

Guys, cool guns and thread, but the OP started it over 8 1/2 years ago and hasn't been here for 1 1/2 years. Also, DWFAN sadly retired from repairs a few years ago.

In the truest sense, it is not important for the thread itself whether the OP is still around (but I am here) because it is really about the info, the learning, the sharing, and the community itself, not about whether the OP will see the update. Even sometimes just a compliment, or a photo, or a simple question can go a long way. Even if an OP doesn't see the updated posts, the thread still has value to the forum itself, hence old threads not being deleted.

I am still alive however I have branched out in my collecting after being S&W heavy for some years. I still however return back to my first love...

In fact, I return back every time I pick up a Colt DA revolver or any other!

 

[The Gila Bender]

Hi Jim! Nice to hear from you again.
I still have this beauty!

 

[Retired W4]

There is a lot to be said about still being alive! Great thread. Great 44 Magnums. S130881 is one of my favorite revolvers, butchered cokes and all. It seems some one didn't like the little flair at the bottom.

 

[boykinlp]

Guys, cool guns and thread, but the OP started it over 8 1/2 years ago and hasn't been here for 1 1/2 years. Also, DWFAN sadly retired from repairs a few years ago.

I am the one responsible for bringing this old thread back to life, and as I said in that post, I usually don't do it. But it has a ton of very interesting information in this one thread, including Doc44's picture and info on the first .44 magnum, his info on when the cases changed from pebble grain to smooth, Göring's serial number information, RKmesa's picture showing his rare wooden presentation case and collection in general, and the thing that shocked me the most bdGreen's high serial numbered first year shipped gun.

You have to remember that new folks join this great forum everyday. They probably wouldn't see threads like this, but it is awesome that the forum keeps them for posterity. Could you imagine the history lost if the forum did something crazy like erase posts over 5 years old! Or even worse, once someone passes away, their guns might not be seen again unless brought back up. I am a lover of history so I read many, many, many old threads, that some folks might not see. To me, missing some would be a shame.

I very much enjoy when some members here show some of their terrific guns every few years, but not all do. Obviously, we must realize that old value info is worthless. But, even that is not completely true. Seeing how much value changes over time can be of interest too. Anyway, sorry I ranted here, I didn't start out to do that.
Larry

 

[Gdogman]

Hi Jim! Nice to hear from you again.
I still have this beauty!
View attachment 580970

Very nice gun!!!!

 

[Göring's S&W]

Hi Jim! Nice to hear from you again.
I still have this beauty!

Hello Tom - good to see you're (I assume) doing ok. I was just thinking about that revolver the other day actually. Unsurprisingly, I have not attained anything like that since.

Luckily for me, the fact that it went to a good guy and a good home helps me not to have as much seller's remorse that we all occasionally experience when we let go of a great piece. I usually attempt to dig deep prior to selling such a piece to verify I will be able to accept the outcome. So far, that extra step has served me well. YMMV

Btw Tom, almost an injustice to post it without the beautiful original serialed "ox blood" factory box

 

[The Gila Bender]

...Btw Tom, almost an injustice to post it without the beautiful original serialed "ox blood" factory box

You're right! Fixed it. This is a nice 44 with original maroon box.