After a long deliberation, I have decided this is my favorite non-engraved 44 Magnum. S147213, picked up from S&W in early 1956 by Pete Kuhlhoff, Handgun Editor for Argosy Magazine, (he believed, or was told it was the third 44 Magnum made). This revolver has been featured in at least two articles by Mr. Kuhlhoff (56 and 57), one by Elmer Keith (56), and one by Lucian Cary (57). It also appeared on the cover of the S&WCA Journal in 2003.

The stocks, fit and finish of this 44 Magnum are the best I have ever seen.

Bill

After a long deliberation, I have decided this is my favorite non-engraved 44 Magnum. S147213, picked up from S&W in early 1956 by Pete Kuhlhoff, Handgun Editor for Argosy Magazine, (he believed, or was told it was the third 44 Magnum made). This revolver has been featured in at least two articles by Mr. Kuhlhoff (56 and 57), one by Elmer Keith (56), and one by Lucian Cary (57). It also appeared on the cover of the S&WCA Journal in 2003.

The stocks, fit and finish of this 44 Magnum are the best I have ever seen.

Bill

Bill, this is the benchmark S&W 44 Mag for sure.
Chuck

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SWCA1517 SWHF256
Rangers LTW!

I don't know what prompted your deliberation, but it would be hard to argue against your choice.

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IYWTPTG, YBKTR. Dr

this is the marilyn monroe of 44's

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

That's purty!

Im in love

A Masterpiece, just breathtaking.
Being one of the first few, was it ever fired besides at the factory, I noticed a turn line on the cylinder, and I figured one of the old legends had to shoot it.
Also back then, who made ammo and what type bullet for the 44 Mag.?

I've been noticing that the earlier Smith's, maybe it was just N-frames, had a much more rounded, bottom front edge to the ejector rod shroud than say late sixties or early seventies guns have. If someone (Doc ) could inform on this I would appreciate it. That gun looks soooo good!

Bill, I don't understand how this could have been a long deliberation. I can't imagine any other 29 even being close to this!

Dave

This one has a 6.5" barrel?

Regards & Happy Holidays !

Horace Smith...Yes, a 6 1/2-inch barrel. The first two thousand plus 44 Magnums made in 1956 have a 6 1/2-inch barrel, except one that was made at the end of February 1956 as a factory display revolver...it had a four inch barrel.

Bill

It definitely exudes quality. But I cannot stand the aesthetics of long barrels.

5" is max for me. Longer than that just looks unbalanced.

Very nice, very nice indeed .

What a coincidence, that's MY favorite one, too!!!

Why does all my stuff look like runt puppies at the dog pound compared to Doc44's pictures? Very unsettling.

What a beauty. Just absolutely perfect.

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David Wilson

Very nice .44 and thanks for sharing the photo. You mentioned Pete Kuhlhoff, Lucian Cary, and Argosy magazine, and those names sure brings back some memories!

Now THAT is a revolver! Bill, your photographic skills make that .44 look like a fine piece of jewelry. Thanks for the post,

Jerry

Beautiful ! ! It made my day.

Nuts. Makes me want to give up and collect Glocks, HKs, Sigmas, and Tupperware. i give up

For my purposes modern stainless Smiths are the way to go, and that is all I own, but, when I see something like this.... it really trips my trigger! That piece is an absolute "work of art"...and I am very sincere when I say that! What a jewel!!!!

Blasphemer !


lovely piece Doc, as per usual

Doc
Can you send it to me so I can get a better look? Gorgeous-I can see why it is your favorite.

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jj

Doesn't the half lug face have a larger/different radius than later models?

Let's see some pics of your shooters.

Thanks.

Forgive me Father for I haver sinned. It has been umpteen years since my last confession...

So....what holster brand do you carry that in? Hunter or Brauer Brothers?

Your collection and photography are stunning.

Thanks for sharing.

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Have guns...will shoot'em.

Bill:

Those are the most beautiful factory stocks I have ever seen ! PERIOD !

Jerry

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.38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

Just gorgeous, Bill.
Those Cokes absolutely superb!

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John

Simply Magnificient . .

Very nice, Doc. Would you post a pic of the other side? Thanks.

I once owned one made in the late 1950's or early '60's that had superb rosewood stocks, but otherwise could be a twin to this gun. Quality was often splendid in those days.

Someone asked if the barrel lug was more rounded then. Yes, but the more square form is probably easier to make, and stuff happens...especially when accountants get into the picture!

Why did Lucien Cary report on this gun? He wrote for, "True", not for "Argosy", and could probably have gotten a sample gun of his own. Manufacturers were pretty good about giving guns to major writers then.

T-Star

T-Star...Lucian Cary featured a photograph of this gun in his article "Man-Stopping Pistols". The article was originally printed in True Magazine (56 or 57) and reprinted in the NEW Lucian Cary on Guns that was published in 1957. The photo showing this revolver and several others is shown on page 108.

Lucian Cary was featured on the cover of the
U S Hand-Gunner published by the USRA in March 1956. He was holding one of the first 44 Magnums that was introduced to the shooting public via a telecast from Springfield, MA on January 19, 1956. Based on production and shipping data, the gun he is holding is most likely the first regular production 44 Magnum produced. It was later sold to Rex Firearms in February 1956.

Bill

Bill - Once again we gather to grovel at your feet, grateful that you showed us yet another great masterpiece from Springfield....

Bill ,
I would call that finish Black Chrome!!!!
Absolutely Beautiful , One of a kind Masterpiece!
Let me wipe the Drool from my face
Thanks for the picture!

Roy

Right side of S147213...the 44 Magnum stamped on the right side of the barrel is smaller than that seen on later guns. The revolver sent to Elmer Keith (S147220) and an early revolver sent to Rex Firearms are stamped in an identical manner. The Smith & Wesson stamped on the left side of the barrel is normal in size.

Bill

Soooooooo..........how does it shoot??

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Forum consigliere

By far the nicest finish I have ever seen on a Smith! She's a beaut!

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V/R
Roger / SG

Cajunlawyer...According to Pete Kuhlhoff, the 44 Magnum shot very well. He fired about 100 rounds of ammunition that S&W supplied him and was very happy with the way S147213 performed.

Bill

For some strange reason, I can't see the pictures and I'm just destitute. Could someone please help?

J-Frame

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T. Johnson

Never mind. I used a different browser...

J-Frame

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T. Johnson

Thanks for taking the time to provide the right side picture. Very nice.

Greg

Bill;

As ever I can't agree more with your choice of .44 Magnums. I carried S 179,3XX as my last Uniformed Duty Gun so it shows a bit more "Character" than yours does. For many Years I didn't even know they had made the .44 Magnum in the 5 inch Length and unfortunately I'm like many others in that I'm "still" looking for one of these.

I carried a 5 inch Model 27 around the Company Area in Viet Nam just because I liked the way it felt and handled. Of course, when going into the 'Field' I would carry a Model 1911A1 as 'issued' or sort of - I had modified it a bit.

Thanks again,

Bill.........Since it is a safe bet this gun will not being appearing on the classifieds any time soon.....lol.....how about showing us the set-up you use for your superb pics. Are you using a shadow box of some sort. I remember a thread awhile back that another member posted of his home-made shadow box set up. A lot of us amateur photogs would appreciate some tips on taking better quality pics.........By the way, that is some nice looking wood on your piece!

I think I've died and went to heaven!

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S&WCA # 2045