Assistance in revolver ID

[1ActuaL3]

Afternoon S&W collectors! I have a gentleman who is prepared to sell me what I think is an older .44 special S&W revolver. I’m not too familiar with the revolver compared to 2nd and 3rd gens and would like y’all’s input. The serial number on this one is S142891 and I think it’s nickel plated. However I’m not sure if the nickel is factory or aftermarket as I do not have enough experience to tell myself. Is $300 a pretty good deal for this model even with the discoloration on the grip? Any additional information or notes on y’all end?

Thanks again!

[Kansasgunner]

That is a .44 Military Model of 1950. Yes, you should immediately buy the gun. Probably shipped in 1955.

[7.62match]

Cannot tell if it has been refinished or not by the pictures, even if it has been refinished $300.00 is a steal to me.

[Doc44]

I believe your 1950 44 Military has had a change of finish to nickel from blue outside of the S&W factory because it appears the hammer and trigger have been finished in nickel (the factory would not normally do this) and revolvers made in the mid-1950s and finished in nickel have an N stamped in the extractor rod shroud along with the serial number.

The price you quoted is still a great deal for this revolver.

Bill

[1ActuaL3]

Originally Posted by Doc44

I believe your 1950 44 Military has had a change of finish to nickel from blue outside of the S&W factory because it appears the hammer and trigger have been finished in nickel (the factory would not normally do this) and revolvers made in the mid-1950s and finished in nickel have an N stamped in the extractor rod shroud along with the serial number.

The price you quoted is still a great deal for this revolver.

Bill

Given that it’s already been refinished, would it be worth having it refinished again? As far as the discoloration goes on the grip etc.

[ISCS Yoda]

$300 for almost any old S&W revolver is a deal, even if it's refinished, as long as it works. Shooters today never go so cheaply!

[Hawg Rider]

Yes, $300 is definitely a good deal for a .44 Special N-frame S&W revolver. And yes, you could definitely have it refinished (either nickel or blue)...there are several good shops that could do that for you and you would still be money ahead on the revolver's value. If you check over the revolver (maybe remove the stocks) you may find an "B" somewhere on the frame that tells you it was originally a blued revolver. If it was originally nickel, there will be an "N" stamped somewhere. If you decide to refinish it, think about taking it back to its original finish. On the other hand, you could just clean it up, shoot it, and enjoy it. If you can afford it, buy it. Enjoy!

[McShooty]

N frame 44 with underlug? $300? If good mechanical condition then buy,buy,buy! Then shoot,shoot, shoot! I would say no refinishing. It would be expensive and the gun will still be a shooter, shooter, shooter.

[merl67]

$300 is it April fools already...surely has to be.
If this is actually the price, and it isn't hot or already sold buy it....

[H Richard]

$300 for a .44 N Frame? Run, don't walk to get it. It's a bargain.

[mikepriwer]

Prior to WW2, the default finish - meaning no marking on the frame as to finish - was nickel, and a B would be stamped to indicate a blue finish. During WW2, no nickel guns were being made, so to speed up production, the default finish finish became blue. Following the end of WW2, and the resumption of nickel finish, the default finish remained blue, and a N was stamped, typically under the grips, and also on the barrel, to indicate a nickel finish. As Bill noted, the trigger ( and probably the hammer ) are white in color, indicating a non-factory refinish.

Mike Priwer

[22hipower]

I would definitely buy it for $300. If memory serves, S&W only made 1200 of these. I have two, both have been refinished in nickel; the first one shipped to the John Jovino shop in NYC in 1955 and it (S142674) is quite close to the SN of the one you're looking at. I haven't lettered the second one but it is (S95657) and perhaps 1953. Buy it, clean it up a little, and post more pictures please.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

[DWalt]

Sometimes a N will be stamped on the rear face of the cylinder. Just me, but I would leave finish as-is and spend the money it will cost for something else.