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New member. Just inherited a 44 Magnum with serial number S 153 27 5. Would love to know when this gun was made if possible? Thanks!
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44 Magnum History
- Thread starter Robert Tay
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Welcome! Condolences on your loss.
By the serial number you likely have a very early version of the .44 Magnum. Here is a guide for classifying it:
To IDENTIFY your Gun >
The earliest version has the upper sideplate screw, making it a 5-screw frame. Others (likely including the world's foremost authority on the .44 Magnum) will be along shortly with more information. And we like photos too.
By the serial number you likely have a very early version of the .44 Magnum. Here is a guide for classifying it:
To IDENTIFY your Gun >
The earliest version has the upper sideplate screw, making it a 5-screw frame. Others (likely including the world's foremost authority on the .44 Magnum) will be along shortly with more information. And we like photos too.
Engine49guy
Member
Welcome to the forum,
As stated there are members that will be able to give you more info.
S&W did not track manufacture dates but they did record shipping dates,
My focus is not on that model but my bet is it left the factory in 1956-1957 but there have been lower serial guns that mysteriously shipped much later than higher serial number guns because the factory did not ship in serial number order.
I'm curious if your SW has an upper sideplate screw and it's barrel length, also if it's wearing the original wood stocks or has the original case and tools.
As stated there are members that will be able to give you more info.
S&W did not track manufacture dates but they did record shipping dates,
My focus is not on that model but my bet is it left the factory in 1956-1957 but there have been lower serial guns that mysteriously shipped much later than higher serial number guns because the factory did not ship in serial number order.
I'm curious if your SW has an upper sideplate screw and it's barrel length, also if it's wearing the original wood stocks or has the original case and tools.
OP
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Yes, a 5-screw gun.
I have a gun very close to yours in number. Mine is S153063. Shipped December 14, 1956. Five 44 Magnums on the invoice, all 4-inch. The other numbers, S154210, S154486, S159848, S153069.
S&W did not ship in serial number order. Have seen guns very close in number that shipped a year apart. On my invoice there is a gun with a number 6500 higher than mine that shipped the same day.
Think your gun almost certainly 1956 or 1957. Only way to know for sure is to get someone to look at the factory records. Or you could order a letter.
S&W did not ship in serial number order. Have seen guns very close in number that shipped a year apart. On my invoice there is a gun with a number 6500 higher than mine that shipped the same day.
Think your gun almost certainly 1956 or 1957. Only way to know for sure is to get someone to look at the factory records. Or you could order a letter.
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Engine49guy tells us S&W did not track manufacturing dates--------.
I tell you don't be too sure about that!
Once upon a time I was hot after a Model of 26 Target---one of two hundred they say. I knew some of them wouldn't letter as such---but I didn't know why---and that was bothersome-----BIG TIME!! I called Jinks, hoping to learn why. His response: "That gun was made in 1938----you're good to go!" (End of discussion!) That was more than helpful but I still didn't know the why of it. I called Ed Cornett, and found out the why of it.
So how did Jinks know that gun was made in 1938----knew it instantly?!
Chapter Next: Two of my 3rd Model Single shots were numbered 4807 and 4826. I wondered if maybe they were made on the same day-----and asked Jinks. No, they weren't made on the same day. He didn't say that in so many words, but here's what he did say------in writing!
4807 was part of the production run of 31 units completed on May 9, 1911.
He went on with 4826---this pistol was in the production run of this model completed on June 21, 1911.
Now after saying that, he went on to say when they were "entered into" the shipping vault on such and such date. "entered into"---who talks like that----besides nobody?!
Now let's talk about the shipping vault: That's where the guns go before they're sold and shipped. So just how is it that the Sales folks know what they have available for sale? (You don't have to answer that right now, 'cause I'm going to answer it for you.) The Sales folks know what's in the vault because a Shipping Vault Log is maintained. Every single gun in or out is----wait for it-----is "entered into" the Shipping Vault LOG!!
As an aside, lets talk about Roy's collection of paper. One of his publishers tells us there's over 100,000 pieces of paper in that collection! You reckon some of over 100,000 pieces of paper are Shipping Vault Logs. I do!!
So what's all this about knowing about ship dates, but not knowing about completion dates? My take is they have access to damn near ALL the ship dates----but not all the completion dates. So we're told they don't have any completion dates to avoid fruitless searches for what they're never going to find----and then have to apologize for not being able to respond to your order, and ending up with dissatisfied customers. Make sense? You bet!
Ralph Tremaine
I tell you don't be too sure about that!
Once upon a time I was hot after a Model of 26 Target---one of two hundred they say. I knew some of them wouldn't letter as such---but I didn't know why---and that was bothersome-----BIG TIME!! I called Jinks, hoping to learn why. His response: "That gun was made in 1938----you're good to go!" (End of discussion!) That was more than helpful but I still didn't know the why of it. I called Ed Cornett, and found out the why of it.
So how did Jinks know that gun was made in 1938----knew it instantly?!
Chapter Next: Two of my 3rd Model Single shots were numbered 4807 and 4826. I wondered if maybe they were made on the same day-----and asked Jinks. No, they weren't made on the same day. He didn't say that in so many words, but here's what he did say------in writing!
4807 was part of the production run of 31 units completed on May 9, 1911.
He went on with 4826---this pistol was in the production run of this model completed on June 21, 1911.
Now after saying that, he went on to say when they were "entered into" the shipping vault on such and such date. "entered into"---who talks like that----besides nobody?!
Now let's talk about the shipping vault: That's where the guns go before they're sold and shipped. So just how is it that the Sales folks know what they have available for sale? (You don't have to answer that right now, 'cause I'm going to answer it for you.) The Sales folks know what's in the vault because a Shipping Vault Log is maintained. Every single gun in or out is----wait for it-----is "entered into" the Shipping Vault LOG!!
As an aside, lets talk about Roy's collection of paper. One of his publishers tells us there's over 100,000 pieces of paper in that collection! You reckon some of over 100,000 pieces of paper are Shipping Vault Logs. I do!!
So what's all this about knowing about ship dates, but not knowing about completion dates? My take is they have access to damn near ALL the ship dates----but not all the completion dates. So we're told they don't have any completion dates to avoid fruitless searches for what they're never going to find----and then have to apologize for not being able to respond to your order, and ending up with dissatisfied customers. Make sense? You bet!
Ralph Tremaine
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StrawHat
SWCA Member
To expound on what DARE posted.
S&W did not build nor ship in numerical sequence. Revolvers were built in batches or one at a time and placed in a vault. When an order came in, the shipping clerk would enter the vault and grab the revolvers needed to fill the order. The serial numbers of the revolvers shipped were recorded as was the destination and confirmation of the revolvers. Manufacture date was a big “who cares”. Shipping date is all the factory records concerned.
The only way to know when a particular revolver shipped is to request a shipping date or buy a letter. I can assure you that once you know that information you can rest assured the manufacture date was prior to the shipping date.
Kevin
S&W did not build nor ship in numerical sequence. Revolvers were built in batches or one at a time and placed in a vault. When an order came in, the shipping clerk would enter the vault and grab the revolvers needed to fill the order. The serial numbers of the revolvers shipped were recorded as was the destination and confirmation of the revolvers. Manufacture date was a big “who cares”. Shipping date is all the factory records concerned.
The only way to know when a particular revolver shipped is to request a shipping date or buy a letter. I can assure you that once you know that information you can rest assured the manufacture date was prior to the shipping date.
Kevin
waelkhntr
Member
Robert.
153223 and 153639 shipped February 12, 1957
153223 and 153639 shipped February 12, 1957
IIRC, Ed Cornett possessed some of the pre-WW II floor records and could look up manufacturing dates. It appears that those records for the post-war period no longer exist. Luckily, Dr Roy Jinks was able to save the shipping records.
What you have is a nice example of an early .44 magnum. I would letter it with an LOA at this link:
Letters – Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation
It's well worth the money in my opinion and a fraction of the value of the gun. I believe the original condition Model 29's will continue to appreciate.
Here's an ad from 1956, looks just like yours!
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.44 Magnum serial number S153278 is also a 5 screw unit. It shipped on February 1, 1957. It has a 4" barrel.
Yours has the more common 6 1/2" barrel but also has a five screw frame. A very nice piece to have. Congratulations.
Welcome to the Forum! Condolences on your loss, but congratulations on your inherited revolver. It is indeed a very early 5-screw .44 Magnum (manufactured ca. 1956) with a very nice set of oversized target stocks ("Coke Bottle" stocks)...all in VG condition. S&W changed to model numbers in 1957-58, so the ".44 Magnum" became the "Model 29". Did you happen to receive the blue/black presentation case and tools with the revolver? Your revolver is highly sought after and valuable, probably $2200+. Add another $500 if you have the case and tools. There is a veritable cornucopia of information about your revolver here on the Forum, as there are many .44 Magnum (and Model 27) fans and collectors here. I hope that you keep that .44 Magnum in the family as an heirloom. Enjoy!
Nice looking 44 Magnum. Most of the 44 Magnums in the S153000 serial number range shipped in late 1956 to early 1957. So, a late first year or early second year revolver. A letter of authenticity (cost $100) will provide you the shipping date and location and confirm the configuration of your 44 Magnum. The letter is a valuable piece of provenance to have.
Bill
Bill
THE PILGRIM
Member
I also have the ‘Common’ 6 1/2 barrel length.
‘I’m a common man I drive a common van. My dog ain’t got no pedigree.’
John Connolly.
Saw John in person. He related the he was keeping his Kentucky Embalming License current. Why was he looking at me?
‘I’m a common man I drive a common van. My dog ain’t got no pedigree.’
John Connolly.
Saw John in person. He related the he was keeping his Kentucky Embalming License current. Why was he looking at me?
OP
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Thanks to all the responses. What a wealth of knowledge here. Much appreciated!!!!!!!!
You might want to check Gunbroker. 4 screw and 5 screw with box and tools are pushing 5K MINT condition of course. I paid $4100 for mine each a couple of years ago and was happy with that.If not mint cut the price in half.
