Hi all,
Came across a 5 screw 44 magnum, 4" tagged with s/n S128xxx... the pawnshops owner was very excited about it being "part of the first 100 prototype guns created of this model."
I could not verify the s/n anywhere on it due to target stocks (incorrrect)... none on the barrel, under extractor or crane. Another feature he was going to confirm with the factory, before pricing, was the barrel porting and the left-hand thread on the ejector.
Could this be an early gun like he suggests?
Thanks
Manuel

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Regards,

That could be frame S128xxx, with a bunch of 44 Mag parts,
installed. Without documentation, it could be any N frame
revolver from the early/mid 50s. Sounds like a non starter to me but I 've been wrong before.Pete

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NRA LIFE 1974

Sounds like a made up 44 Magnum to me as the prototypes and revolvers used for the cartridge development were serial numbered in the S121000 range. The first 44 Magnum with a four-inch barrel has serial number S130884 (if I remember correctly).

Bill

Bill,
I have 4-inch number 153582 shipped Nov. 7th, 1956. I believe that Bill Odom has one shipped the day before. Bill's is probably the firs, or one of the first, shipped.
John

Thanks for the info... I'll try and take a closer look next time, maybe he'll be willing to remove the stocks to check the frame #'s.
Am I correct in assuming the left-hand thread on the ejector is incorrect for this s/n?


Hey Bill- would an assembly number from the yoke and frame help confirm this?

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John, you are referring to S156458 shipped 11/6/56 to Lubbock, TX.

Regards
CHUCK Odom

The change from the right-hand thread on the extractor rod to the left-hand thread was authorized by S&W on December 22, 1959 and would not be correct for a prototype revolver that would have been made in 1955 (most likely). I assume the extractor rod has a small relief cut behind the knurled tip that identifies it as having a left-hand thread. If so, these did not start showing up until sometime in 1962.

The assembly number won't help identify the model of the revolver. The only way to identify it is to check the factory records (invoice). The serial number of one of the protoypes made in January 1955 is S121836 and the serial number of the revolver made to do the cartridge development and sent to C. G. Peterson at Remington is S121839.

S130884, the first 44 Magnum with a four-inch barrel was made in February 1956. It was taken to the Mid-Winter matches in Tampa, FL and later sold to Jesse Harpe. The first shipments of 44 Magnums with a four-inch barrel in any quantity began in early November 1956 (at least a far as we know) and the first large shipments of this barrel length began in January 1957.

Bill

Thanks Bill... and yes, it did have the relief on the ejector rod. If anything else turns up, I'll let you all know.
If anyone is interested, PM me and I'll give you the shop info.

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Regards,