Model 544 Texas Wagon Train Deluxe Commemorative

colt_saa · Nov 24, 2014

Lots of S&W enthusiasts are familiar with the model 544 Texas Wagon Train Commemorative.

However most of the S&W community is only familiar with the standard edition. This is a 5" blue steel N-frame chambered in 44-40 and housed in a basswood presentation case. This was S&W product code 103195

While the revolver depicts the Texas Wagon Train, it was built to commemorate the Texas Sesquicentennial (150th birthday). The Sesquicentennial Commission had reserved a serial number block to produce 7800 revolvers. However, this commemorative was a failure and only 4782 were manufactured.

The first 150 revolvers were Deluxe editions, product code 103196. These had hand engraving and gold wire line work along with hand scrimshawed, coke shaped, Elephant Ivory target stocks. The hammer, trigger, cylinder release and ejector rod are all gold plated. The Sesquicentennial Commission also had a bronze Texas Longhorn produced for the Deluxe version of the model 544. These bronzes are signed and numbered to the revolvers. There is also a large medallion that was produced.

All of this fits into a large presentation case with glass on 5 sides and lid that opens up. This huge case is also mounted on a lazy susan so that it can be rotated and viewed from any angle.

My family has owned one of each variation for a while. The deluxe is presently in the library at the family house. I recently acquired a second Model 544 Texas Wagon Train Deluxe Commemorative. One of the various reasons behind the second purchase was that I like serial numbers. This new acquisition is serial number 44 of a 44-40 chambered revolver.

I have often referred to the 150 Model 544 Texas Wagon Train Deluxe Commemoratives as one of Smith and Wesson's finest presentations of one of their worst selling Commemeratives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4aDEEkLTYA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyjN7LP_XhU

6518John · Nov 24, 2014

Amazingly beautiful! I see the revolver has a turn line. Has your family shot it? Or just dry firing?

colt_saa · Nov 24, 2014

6518John said:
Amazingly beautiful! I see the revolver has a turn line. Has your family shot it? Or just dry firing?

This is the second one. I just acquired it this month.

The revolver is unfired since leaving the factory

drgbike · Nov 24, 2014

an amazing beautiful gun, did not know any had a unfluted cylinder, but never saw the deluxe version. Thanks for pics and info.

6518John · Nov 24, 2014

"This is the second one. I just acquired it this month."

Gotcha on the gun! Amazing set. Never seen one. Reminds me of the stunning Fredrick Remington pieces.

PS. It surprises me they sold so poorly--I would think every bank, big company, oil and gas company, big ranch, etc. would want one of the boxed sets in their lobby.

STCM(SW) · Nov 24, 2014

I'm glad I got the standard one, because I shoot all I buy...

Love yours, but can't get myself to buy something I can't shoot...

Florida Guy · Nov 25, 2014

Just beautiful.
First one I've ever seen.
Congrats on purchase.

Nightowl · Nov 25, 2014

That is absolutely beautiful, and beautifully presented.

Vulcan Bob · Nov 25, 2014

Very nice! Would love to find a nice one that has been used for a shooter. It's the only .44-40 that I would entertain buying.

colt_saa · Nov 25, 2014

Vulcan Bob said:
Very nice! Would love to find a nice one that has been used for a shooter. It's the only .44-40 that I would entertain buying.

You know there are more than 4500 of the standard edition 544 out there in circulation.

While I would not do this to a 544, there are many folks that swapped cylinders to shoot 44 Special or 44 Magnum in the revolver.

After all it is a 5" blue steel N-frame.

murphydog · Nov 25, 2014

Great photos, thanks for sharing!

Regarding the .44 Magnum conversion of the 544, a certain senior S & W source was asked about this and recommended against it, due to different heat-treating of the frame compared to a model 29.

Beemer-mark · Nov 25, 2014

STCM(SW) said:
I'm glad I got the standard one, because I shoot all I buy...

Love yours, but can't get myself to buy something I can't shoot...

Ditto.
I bought one 2 months ago to shoot along with my 44-40 '92 Win. Seller said it was never fired. It was never fired because 3 chambers won't accept a bullet.

Engine49guy · Nov 25, 2014

colt_saa said:
You know there are more than 4500 of the standard edition 544 out there in circulation.

While I would not do this to a 544, there are many folks that swapped cylinders to shoot 44 Special or 44 Magnum in the revolver.

After all it is a 5" blue steel N-frame.

Sweet commemorative , gold accents make the Bling go "POP".
Quick question besides a cylinder wouldn't firing 44 special in those also require a new barrel ?

colt_saa · Nov 25, 2014

Engine49guy said:
Sweet commemorative , gold accents make the Bling go "POP".
Quick question besides a cylinder wouldn't firing 44 special in those also require a new barrel ?

I have not paid to much attention to this conversion as I would not do it, but others have. That was quite a while ago.

While the 44-40 cartridge is traditionally loaded with .427 projectiles, barrels have been slugged from .427 through .431 on the various cowboy guns.

If I recall from the guys doing the conversions, the 544s are standard .429 bores.

kennyb · Nov 26, 2014

very nice...thanks for sharing !

Vulcan Bob · Nov 26, 2014

colt_saa said:
You know there are more than 4500 of the standard edition 544 out there in circulation.

While I would not do this to a 544, there are many folks that swapped cylinders to shoot 44 Special or 44 Magnum in the revolver.

After all it is a 5" blue steel N-frame.

Yes that is true but as I will not buy a firearm off the internet ( with the exception of our or the Ruger forums guns for sale section) I've never seen one for sale in a brick and mortar shop to buy. But dang that would make a right purty shooter wouldn't it?

colt_saa · Dec 3, 2014

Vulcan Bob said:
Yes that is true but as I will not buy a firearm off the internet ( with the exception of our or the Ruger forums guns for sale section) I've never seen one for sale in a brick and mortar shop to buy. But dang that would make a right purty shooter wouldn't it?

My original standard edition came out of a local Estate that a lawyer friend of mine was handling. So while I did not see it, he did.

Both of the Deluxe versions were bought sight unseen and shipped to me. Both came from people with zero on-line selling experience. They found me while researching their revolvers.

Is there a chance for a bad deal? Sure. But in the long run, I have acquired many pieces that I never could have found otherwise and usually at prices much better than a local corner store would sell for.

I have only been disappointed once in probably 100+ transactions over the last 30+ years (Shotgun News was our internet in the olden days). Due diligence is your friend

RedDawg · Apr 1, 2015

More History about this Revolver

May I contact you about this revolver ? I was sold a pair of these and they are the same as yours except the scrimshaw on the grips has some color and a little different design. I was told it was the only Set (Prototype) that was made. They are serialized number 1836 and 1986. Would you know who to contact regarding their history and manufacture.

Ronmck · Apr 3, 2016

can you tell me what that texas 150 model 544 is worth

colt_saa · Apr 3, 2016

Ronmck said:
can you tell me what that texas 150 model 544 is worth

If you are asking for a selling/buying value, these are not seen often enough for a pricing trend to be developed. Basicly it is worth what a seller and buyer agree upon.

If you are asking what would it cost to reproduce one today? Many thousands of dollars.

Model 544 Texas Wagon Train Deluxe Commemorative

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