A Rare 44 Magnum

[Doc44]

44 Magnum, S179546, with a 5-inch barrel and nickel finish, shipped on September 15, 1958. One of twenty-three known with this barrel length and finish. Click on the photo for a better look.

Bill

 

[22hipower]

Looks terrific, some interesting 5 inch guns on here lately but that one takes the blue ribbon. Thanks for sharing.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[JRB416]

Were the very early five inch 44 magnums shipped in a leatherette presentation case made for a longer barrel length?

 

[Doc44]

All 5-inch 44 Magnums were all shipped in a case made for the 6 1/2-inch guns (1958-1963). The 44 Magnums in 1958 were shipped in dark blue cases and clamshell cases from 1960 and later.

Bill

 

[Gdogman]

Bill,

That is an amazing gun!!!!! Its no wonder you hold on to that one. Thanks for the picture. Is it known how many other nickel, all barrel sizes, Pre 29's that have been accounted for so far?

Gil

 

[Doc44]

Gil...I worked up an answer to your question many years ago for a display done by Jim Fisher. I will look for my notes and let you know what I find.

Bill

 

[Doc44]

Gil...the numbers I worked up for Jim and Judy estimated the production of 4-screw 44 Magnums with a nickel finish. The numbers are...4-inch at less than 400, 5-inch at twenty-three (ten when I originally did the estimate), 6 1/2-inch at 700. I did not include the 8 3/8-inch as this barrel length was not in the display. I would guess this number at less than 200. The number of 44 Magnums with a 5-screw frame and nickel finish is estimated at less than 20.

Bill

 

[Gdogman]

nickel magnum

Gil...the numbers I worked up for Jim and Judy estimated the production of 4-screw 44 Magnums with a nickel finish. The numbers are...4-inch at less than 400, 5-inch at twenty-three (ten when I originally did the estimate), 6 1/2-inch at 700. I did not include the 8 3/8-inch as this barrel length was not in the display. I would guess this number at less than 200. The number of 44 Magnums with a 5-screw frame and nickel finish is estimated at less than 20.

Bill

Thanks Bill, on point as always.

I am liking my chances better now at tracking down a nickel 44 magnum some time soon.

Gil

 

[29-1]

44 Magnum, S179546, with a 5-inch barrel and nickel finish, shipped on September 15, 1958. One of twenty-three known with this barrel length and finish. Click on the photo for a better look.

Bill

Bill, such a great gun!
Chuck

 

[gmborkovic]

How did that blue satin liner survive in that shape?

 

[Doc44]

The sating lining survived because previous owners (and me) did not store their 44 Magnum in the "presentation" case.

Bill

 

[tygar]

29-2 Nickel 44 Mag

I read somewhere that the 29-2 Nickel was extremely rare. More so than the 5". Any info on that & how to verify? Tom

 

[Doc44]

Model 29-2 was made from 1962-1982. Not sure how many guns were made, but 10-15% would have been finished in nickel. Number would have been in the thousands. Model 29-2 shown below was shipped in March 1973. Click on the photo for a better look.

Bill

 

[GSP Fan]

I have a 29-2 with the 6 1/2 inch barrel thats nickel. I don't have the serial number handy but I bought it shortly after getting out of the service which was in November 1973.

 

[AC Man]

The sating lining survived because previous owners (and me) did not store their 44 Magnum in the "presentation" case.

Bill

I have 24 N frames that I purchased over the years in a presentation case. Since the interior was very nice except one I just double wrap them in S&W wax paper and lay them in the case. Is this a reasonable way to store them? The ones that also came in a box I keep the gun in the box.

 

[Doc44]

AC Man...If it works for you then that is fine. It also depends on the type of case as some hold up much better than others.

Bill

 

[RKmesa]

Bill:

Those are some beautiful nickel 44 Magnums.

Thanks for sharing,

 

[Truckman]

I have 24 N frames that I purchased over the years in a presentation case...Is this a reasonable way to store them?

Having owned many of these now, and knowing the history of some and how they came to appear in their current condition, my advice is to use them for presentation purposes, and store the gun elsewhere...There is a reason they are called "presentation" cases and not "storage" cases......Ben