Added a 44 DA First Model to the family

[Levallois]

I’ve really got a thing for these old double actions - this one was nickel with a 5 inch barrel and was sent to M. W. Robinson in 1884 where they engraved it New York style and put on checkered ivories. This one will go nicely with the factory engraved First Model with a 6 inch barrel and the nickel 6 1/2 inch Frontier. If I could find a 4 inch for a reasonable price I’d die happy.
Best, John

 

[shown50]

I love the 44 Double Actions, I think they’re very underrated. That engraved one is beautiful. The checkered ivory is very cool, I’ve not seen that done very much.
I’ve got a 5” 44 Russian Nickel that shipped in 1884 to Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co.in Chicago wearing what I think are original MOP. I’ve also got a 4” New Frontier 44-40 with almost all the original bluing gone. Both of mine had hammer push off that I had to have corrected but now they function 100%.

 

[Levallois]

Matt,
Thanks for the reply and the photos. I’m always up for seeing this model. And there are two engraved in my second photo. The middle revolver is actually factory engraved as verified by S&W but a much finer touch than the new New York engraved gun.
Best,
John

 

[shown50]

Matt,
Thanks for the reply and the photos. I’m always up for seeing this model. And there are two engraved in my second photo. The middle revolver is actually factory engraved as verified by S&W but a much finer touch than the new New York engraved gun.
Best,
John

I thought the middle one looked like it was engraved but it was hard to tell on my phone. Are the stocks engraved with an eagle too? I’ve been on the lookout for an engraved or a target DA for a reasonable price but haven’t seen much available. There was a nicely worn 44 Russian DA that just sold on Gbroker with Red Mottled stocks. I would’ve loved to have it to match my 1st model New Departure with Mottled stocks but my Fiancée might have killed me lol.

 

[Levallois]

Yes it wears MOP with an eagle but the grips were added after it left the factory. And Fiancés, wives, and significant others are like that. I was once taken to task over a purchase because we had wedding expenses coming up! Sheesh!

 

[shown50]

You should post some close up shots of it when you get a chance. I’m sure everyone would enjoy seeing it! That’s exactly what I’m trying to avoid lol she’s been great with my collecting so far…no need to ruin a good thing!

 

[mmaher94087]

I was collecting Smith & Wesson's well before I met my ex-wife. My fiancée was very supportive of my collecting. I said "I do". And she said "Not anymore". We ripped the sheets four years later. My disposable income jumped 25% overnight.

I remarried a great, supportive lady and bought more Smith's. I picked up a DA .44 Russian, nickel with mottled stocks. Later another came home with black hard rubber stocks. SN 6116 & 6126. I've been looking for numbers between those two with no luck so far.

 

[Levallois]

Matt - good luck brother - I’m on wife No. 2 - closeups per your request below.

Mike - glad you found a good one - I did too - I’ll keep a lookout for your desired serial numbers

 

[shown50]

Matt - good luck brother - I’m on wife No. 2 - closeups per your request below.

Mike - glad you found a good one - I did too - I’ll keep a lookout for your desired serial numbers

Thanks for the pictures! That’s a good looking gun! I bet checkering those MOP stocks were not fun. On your other 44 DA with the carved MOP stocks, who do you think did those? Wolf & Klar?

 

[Levallois]

Matt,
I believe the New York gun grips are ivory. They have Schreger lines in places.
No idea on the maker of the MOPs. The gun was shipped without them to a not famous or notable individual at all (still working on this). I don’t know if he had them made or took them off another 44DA or if some other owner down the line did.
Happy holidays!
John

 

[shown50]

Matt,
I believe the New York gun grips are ivory. They have Schreger lines in places.
No idea on the maker of the MOPs. The gun was shipped without them to a not famous or notable individual at all (still working on this). I don’t know if he had them made or took them off another 44DA or if some other owner down the line did.
Happy holidays!
John

Whoops I should’ve proof read before I posted. Those are definitely ivory (but I’m not the person to tell you if it’s elephant ,walrus, or whatever other animal lol). The carved MOP is really cool, I feel like I’ve seen old Wolf & Klar ads with the carved steer head with ruby eyes and an option for a Mexican eagle and flag. I think those were all HE models though but I don’t know for sure is why I asked.
I love seeing personalized guns, I’ve got a 38 SA 2nd model that shipped July 1877 and it’s had a Lyman ivory front bead installed and a target rear sight welded on the latch. Another 44 HE 2nd model target that was blue and sent back to S&W to be nickeled, have MOP stocks fitted, and have a King Cockeyed hammer installed. I think that kind of stuff makes collecting fun.