Help identify a S&W revolver

[steveus]

Using the excellent guide here for giving all of you the info you need, I'll try my best.
Unfortunately, not able to post pics just yet.
.44 S&W Special CTG- Nickel or chrome plated (I can't tell the difference between them)-5" barrel with 1/2 length underlug-hand ejector-Serial # 51670 - no model #-small w inside of yoke, above the assembly #, which matches the cylinder - 5 screw - Fixed sights - stag grips (don't know if they are real or aftermarket but they are thick- no butt swivel or lanyard ring
This was carried by a friend's grandfather during his time as a Sheriff in S. Georgia, he thinks in the 50's and 60's. It will mean a lot to him to find out something about this .44 special. I have also told him that he may be able to get a letter from S&W Historical Society. Thanks much for any help!

 

[DARE]

Based on the serial number I think you have a .44 Hand Ejector either a 2nd Model or a 3rd Model. The 3rd Model has a shrouded extractor and the 2nd Model does not.
Here is my 2nd Model #26184 that shipped in June 1926 to a deputy sheriff in Potter County, Texas.

 

[Truckman]

I have also told him that he may be able to get a letter from S&W Historical Society.

That's his best source of reliable information about its origin......

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Hi Steveus! Welcome to the forums from your neighbor in the Peanut Capital of the World in the heart of the Wiregrass! Your friend's .44 Hand Ejector likely shipped in 1937 or 38. As David said, it is either a 2nd Model or a Model 1926 (shrouded extractor rod). S&W sold them with a blued or nickel finish. Since it has aftermarket stocks, it is possible it was refinished at some point. Pictures will help us tell if it is in original condition. If your friend has any history on his grandfather or is willing to share his name, we might be able to provide some additional information.

 

[steveus]

Thanks so much Guy and David. Sounds like ya'll have narrowed it down lot. The .44 does have the shrouded ejector rod. I could text some pics to anyone interested. I used to post pics using photobucket but they changed somehow and it didn't work for me any longer. I believe that Guy helped me out on a firearm back when I was posting pics. I will be trying to collect more info. The friend's grandfather was sheriff of Charleton County, Ga. His last name may have been Smith, I'll be finding out.

 

[hkcavalier]

Easiest "tell" about a refinish without showing pictures is if the hammer and/or trigger are plated. If they are, it's been refinished. Most non factory plate jobs seem to include those two parts, making it easy to ID.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

The friend's grandfather was sheriff of Charleton County, Ga. His last name may have been Smith,

May it have been J. O. Sikes? He was a pretty prominent sheriff back in the '50's and 60's. Sorta notorious, though.

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

It should look like this one:

M

Thread 'Let's see those 1926 .44 Specials!'

Jul 25, 2012

Well, Lee asked for a 3rd Model Hand Ejector .44 thread, so let's start one.

I'll kick it off with one. Back in my college days, I read Elmer Keith's Sixguns and decided I needed a .44 Special. By chance, a invitation to a local gun club meeting introduced me to a fellow student, who then became a very close friend.

Another friend and I were waiting for the meeting when a feller rolled up in a '66 Chevy II, jumped out, and said, "Hey! I'm .44 Special and I have a Frank E. !" Well, that's what several of us told him over the years was the way that he introduced himself.

Anyway...

• Muley Gil
• Replies: 130
• Forum: S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961

• 

 

[RM Vivas]

Gun started life blued.

Usually re-finished guns take a pretty solid hit as to value.

I think the gun is worth lettering although the refinish will detract from the collector value.

Best,
RM Vivas

 

[Muley Gil]

"Nickel or chrome plated (I can't tell the difference between them)"

Chrome usually has a bluish tint to it.

 

[DARE]

Here are some pictures from steveus of the gun.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

That serial is 31670. This gun shipped in 1929, not 1937. The grips are aftermarket jigged bone. If you open the cylinder and look in the shroud where the ejector rod docks, you should see the serial number stamped there. If there is a "B" in front of the numbers, it left the factory blued.

 

[steveus]

Thanks to all. I really thought the serial # started with 5, but now seems to be a 3. Will look for the "B" when I go home for lunch. Hope to eat some doves wrapped in bacon from our season opener this past Sat!

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Hope to eat some doves wrapped in bacon from our season opener this past Sat!

With grits and brown gravy? Or, cornbread and field peas?

 

[wheelgun610]

The letter 'N' stamped on the right side of the grip frame would indicate that the gun left the factory with a nickel finish. I have a '29 vintage 3rd Model .44 with the same marking. Also, the S/N in the shroud during that time frame is tiny and not easy to see at a glance. It's stamped in the area where the ejector rod knob rests.

 

[steveus]

Grits, gravy, biscuits and silver queen corn!

 

[wheelgun610]

Grits, gravy, biscuits and silver queen corn!

And you didn't invite us?

 

[DARE]

Even if it left the factory as nickel it looks like it has been refinished. Hammer and trigger are nickel plus the gun looks like it has been polished some. Pretty sure not a factory refinish.
The thing about this gun is that a friends grandfather carried it as a Georgia lawman. Family guns that have LEO provenance are special.

 

[steveus]

The letter 'N' stamped on the right side of the grip frame would indicate that the gun left the factory with a nickel finish. I have a '29 vintage 3rd Model .44 with the same marking. Also, the S/N in the shroud during that time frame is tiny and not easy to see at a glance. It's stamped in the area where the ejector rod knob rests. View attachment 793858

This is correct, the serial # is indeed very small right where the knob rests, and no "B" that I could find such as Guy mentioned. I was wondering if the "N" meant nickel, and whether that was stamped at factory or by a private plating company. Thanks.

 

[steveus]

Even if it left the factory as nickel it looks like it has been refinished. Hammer and trigger are nickel plus the gun looks like it has been polished some. Pretty sure not a factory refinish.
The thing about this gun is that a friends grandfather carried it as a Georgia lawman. Family guns that have LEO provenance are special.

Thank you so much. I feel the same about LEO. My father, Col. Ray Pope, was Chief of Police of Waycross Ga, Chief of Jackson Miss, Director of the GA. Dept. of Public Safety for Gov. Jimmy Carter, and U.S. Justice Dept. He was a well known LEO especially in the South East. Ya'll could have known each other although he has been deceased since 1983. He left my brother and I several of his Colts and S&Ws.