3rd Model Hand ejector, Target 44 Special

T

Tom Fisher

Member
Joined
May 19, 2017
Messages
7
Reaction score
57
Location
AZ
Hello Forum!

I am new to the forum, and I have obtained a Pre-war Hand Ejector in 44 S&W SPL., that I have not seen before.

The serial # is: 18235. There is a "STAR" stamp before the number.

There is a lanyard hole in the frame after the serial Number, but no lanyard on the revolver.

It has the rounded pre-war adjustable "micro" sight rear, with a Patridge Blade on a very high boss up front.

The top of the barrel is stamped with: "Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass, USA Patented Dec.17.1901.Feb.6.1906.Sep 14 1909

There is a small logo on the left side, nothing on the side plate.

It is a five screw gun, in about 90% PLUS NRA without box or papers.

Any info would be appreciated. I took this piece in a trade, not knowing what it was, as I usually collect post war, numbered hand ejectors. It looked odd to me until I dug a bit on the web and found out that Wolf and Klar in Texas had something to do with this piece.

Here are a few photos! Thanks in advance! Tom
 

Attachments

  • smith 2.jpg
    smith 2.jpg
    50 KB · Views: 335
  • smith 3.jpg
    smith 3.jpg
    55.4 KB · Views: 333
  • smith picture.jpg
    smith picture.jpg
    61.3 KB · Views: 310
  • barrel shroud #.jpg
    barrel shroud #.jpg
    63.7 KB · Views: 252
  • smith rework date.jpg
    smith rework date.jpg
    64.9 KB · Views: 229
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
The Micro sight is an add-on to what appears to be an original target sighted gun. I see the remnant of the factory rear sight, so I'm curious as to what's under the Micro. :confused:

Also, the stocks are much later than the gun...

*Edit:* The serial number you give is much too low for a 3rd model. What serial number is in the ejector rod shroud? The star on the butt indicates factory service of some sort, but it's doubtful they would have added the Micro sight.

Mark
 
Last edited:
At that SN, it would be in the .44 Second Model N-frame period (ca. 1922), and shouldn't have the barrel shroud for the extractor rod. And of course the rear sight is an add-on. Maybe a First Model barrel transplant? Almost certainly refinished, and the grips are probably from the 40s or early 50s.
 
Welcome to the forum.

You do indeed have what appears to be a Model of 1926 (3rd Model) .44 HE. But the low serial number would normally be associated with an N frame from late 1921 2nd Model.

It's possibly a 2nd Model with a 3rd Model shrouded barrel.

It appears to be a factory target model, however aftermarket Micro Site front and rear sights have been installed on top of the factory sights.

It also has early post war high shoulder Magna stocks, valuable in their own right.

We're going to need some more info:

1. Is there a serial number in the barrel shroud and does it match the Butt #?

2. If you can remove the rear sight and the tang of the factory rear sight, there should be a serial # on the bottom of the sight tang that will verify if it is an original factory target model:

mikepriwer-albums-mlp11-1902-vs-1905-picture10370-43133-005.jpg
Photo by Mike Priwer

3. The star indicates it went back to the factory for a rework/refinish. There will be a date on the lower left side of the grip frame for when it was done. Do you see a date?
 
Last edited:
Thank you gentlemen. The serial number under the ejector shroud matches the above mentioned number on the butt, as does the number on the rear of the cylinder, all 18235. the date on the frame is 12.50.
 
Muley Gil said:
Welcome to the Forum.

It sounds like this revolver received a 3rd model barrel when it went back to S&W in December 1950.
Click to expand...

I agree. The factory protocol was to serial number a replacement barrel or parts to match the frame.

The Micro sight was most likely installed after the factory rework since it's obviously not re-blued.

I'd letter that gun. That's the second one on the forum that appears to be a 2nd Model with 3rd Model barrel replacement. Then check with SWHF to see if they can dredge up any info about the factory rework.

If it letters as a factory target, I'd restore the sights to factory.
 
Last edited:
"The top of the barrel is stamped with: "Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass, USA Patented Dec.17.1901.Feb.6.1906.Sep 14 1909""

Would that be correct for a Third Model replacement barrel?
 
As one that has recently acquired a nice 2nd model .44 HE I encourage you to take it out and shoot it, mine is a terrific shooter. I was trying some different bullet weights today, I won't be letting this puppy go anytime soon.
 
Muley Gil said:
"If it letters as a factory target, I'd restore the sights to factory."

Looks to me that whoever installed that Micro rear sight removed a LOT of metal from the top strap.
Click to expand...

That's usually the case but since it's mounted over the top of the original sight, the top strap may not be cut.

But if it has been cut, I've fixed that before with a little tig welding. It'll require a re-blue but it's already been refinished once anyway.

At the same time I would replace the rebound slide pin with a domed pin, original pre war style. It was likely polished flat even by the factory because they refinished in 1950 and that was the protocol after the war.
 
DWalt said:
"The top of the barrel is stamped with: "Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass, USA Patented Dec.17.1901.Feb.6.1906.Sep 14 1909""

Would that be correct for a Third Model replacement barrel?
Click to expand...

Yes, but depends on when it was replaced. In 12/50 when that barrel was likely replaced at the factory, a pre war barrel with patent dates was still available.

I have a 1940 vintage 3rd model original 4" (according to letter) with no patent dates. It also has a star on the butt and a rework date of 8/53.

However the barrel and the frame are also both stamped with an 'O' for the Outside Repair Department at Smith & Wesson which preceded the S for Service Dept. when the Outside Repair Department was moved into the plant.

Therefore my barrel was replaced at the factory with a post war 4” barrel which has no patent dates and is numbered to the frame.

The OP’s barrel will most likely have an O stamped in the shroud following the serial #, and on the left side of the grip frame at the heel under the stock.
 
Last edited:
Thank-you all for your help! I have sent off for a letter on this H.E. and look forward to Roy's comments! TOM
 
Jim,

There is a "diamond" stamp after the SN on the barrel shroud, but nothing stamped on the grip frame other than the 12.50 rework date.
Thank you again for all of your help. Tom
 
Welcome to the FORUM! it is interesting to say the least. Should be a good shooter. Give us a range report when you get around to it! Bob
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

twaits
3rd Model .44 Hand Ejector "Wolf & Klar"
Replies
10
Views
842
twaits
twaits
C
2 Hand Ejector 44s, 3rd model HPD #13 & late 2nd model
2
Replies
29
Views
2K
Jeff Christie
J
K
.44 special hand ejector target 1950 6.5"
Replies
3
Views
400
kadams
K
A10
2nd model Hand Ejector
Replies
4
Views
406
A10
A10
T
Model 1896 .32 Hand Ejector
Replies
8
Views
484
Hawg Rider
H

Latest posts

Back
Top