2nd Mdl .44 Special Question

[Oyeboteb]

I have never owned a .44 Special, and, I have been thinking about getting one.

One that I have in mind maybe, is serial No. 195XX

I noticed it has an "S2-Eagle Head" Stamp on the Frame, inside the Crane Knuckle area. But does not appear to have any other Military Stamps I have noticed. It does however, have a tidy, Rounded-Head filler Plug, where the Lanyard Loop hole is.

Was Smith & Wesson using up WWI Military Frames, in producing the .44 Specials of this Serial Number's era?

And, what year roughly would this Serial Number co-respond to?

[murphydog]

The SN corresponds to a late 1922 ship date, so this is the earliest it left the factory; it may have sat on a shelf for a while.

If the usual numbered places match (bottom of grip frame, rear cylinder face, barrel flat, inside stock panel), you may have answered your own question about surplus frame use, yes? . You can build a .44 HE from a 1917 frame, however.

The lanyard ring would have been standard, so the filler plug is an add-on.

[Oyeboteb]

Thanks Alan!


Well, we shall see...maybe I will finally join the .44 Special Party which I have been missing out on all these years.

[lebomm]

A cautionary note, if I may: That Second Model will be grand fun to shoot - I doubt you'll ever regret it! Just don't try to hotrod it up to Elmer's level. Personally, I wouldn't exceed 250 gr @ 900fps. That's plenty of thump, but get a newer gun to "experiment". Enjoy, and welcome to the party !

Larry

[OldDominion]

Originally Posted by Oyeboteb

Thanks Alan!


Well, we shall see...maybe I will finally join the .44 Special Party which I have been missing out on all these years.

There's a "secret handshake" too. As for the military stamp, my 2nd model 44HE has one too. Ser# is 245**. Still has the lanyard ring from it's GI roots. OD

[peppercorn]

Originally Posted by lebomm

A cautionary note, if I may: That Second Model will be grand fun to shoot - I doubt you'll ever regret it! Just don't try to hotrod it up to Elmer's level. Personally, I wouldn't exceed 250 gr @ 900fps. That's plenty of thump, but get a newer gun to "experiment". Enjoy, and welcome to the party !

Larry

Larry,
I read in another thread that around serial number 20,000 S&W started heat treating the cylinders on the 2nd models. Is this the maine reason you caution against 'hot rodding' the 2nd model?
I have a second model that is in the mid 20,000s so I ask for myself and the OP.

Thanks

[rWt]

Seems like heat treating and associated serial numbers for the various HE's would make a good sticky thread.

[S&W HE]

Oyeboteb,

Welcome, attached are my credentials for the 2nd Model 44 Hand Ejector Eagle Stamp Club.

[OldDominion]

Originally Posted by S&W HE

Oyeboteb,

Welcome, attached are my credentials for the 2nd Model 44 Hand Ejector Eagle Stamp Club.

Very nice creds. Did we mention that the new guy buys? OD