I posted this gun back in 2005, but thought I’d post it again. My photographic skills don’t even come close to some of the others here posting picture of their 44 magnums (Doc44 & 29-1 to mention a couple) but nonetheless here it is again.
Both Gary Garbrecht & Ray Cheely are gone now off to a better place, which makes this gun even more special to me.
Here is a like new .44 magnum (pre 29) with a 4” barrel. It is one that was previously owned by Gary Garbrecht, and I was fortunate enough to be the successful bidder on it from the Gary Garbrecht Estate auction put together by Ray Cheely.
It letters as shipping in February 1957 to Glenn Allen Co. in Tulsa, OK.
It came to me with these beautiful vintage ivory grips. They must be quite old as they have yellowed quite nicely. Gary told me once he suspected the gun may have been sent back to S&W and had them fitted to the gun there.
The gun letters that it originally came with checkered Goncalo Alves target grips, so I have put some on it to photograph it in a few of these pictures, including the one in its original presentation case.
The box, both inside & out, is in mint condition too.
It seems right that I own this fine gun. A while back, prior to Gary’s very untimely death in February of 2005, Gary & I had discussed this gun and I expressed my interest in owning it at that time, but circumstances dictated that it was not to come together at that time. I feel Gary would be happy knowing it is now in Arizona, and being cared for by me.
Alongside this 4” gun, I have also included a few pictures of a pre 29 in 6½” that Gary sold me in early 2004. It also seems fitting these two guns are now together, as their serial numbers are only a little over 2000 numbers apart.
Here is the gun as well as the one with the 6 ½” barrel I mentioned in the text above