1926 .44 Hand Ejector 3rd Model? Update: Sadly, No

[PMRet]

My main area of interest is post war masterpiece revolvers, so this one is a little out of my wheelhouse. I've not seen the gun in person yet, but based on the description I got and what I could find in the SCSW, it's a 1926 .44 Hand Ejector 3rd Model. Blue finish, 6.5" barrel, fixed sights, some freckling on the side plate, holster wear on the muzzle and high spots. Bore and chambers clean. Original grips replaced with Hogues.

I hope to see the gun tomorrow. In the meantime, I'm looking for general information, possible value, etc.

 

[Hondo44]

Sounds like it could have very nice potential and you've labeled consistent with a pre war "Wolf & Klar Model". Anxious to hear more before trying to pin down value but usually in the $1 to 2K range with original stocks albeit you said this has Hogues.

 

[Art Doc]

Without the serial I have no idea when it was made.

The 6.5" is less common.

"Freckling" (corrosion) is a killer and destroys any value to a serious collector. Hogues suck on a classic revolver.

Value is nearly impossible to pinpoint. It's worth what someone will pay for it. You have to decide what it's worth to you. IMO it would sell for between $500 and $1,000 but that's just an estimate from a non-expert.

 

[DCWilson]

Sounds like that might be a 90% gun, and I assume you are looking at it as a shooter rather than the centerpiece of a collection.

Without photos it's hard to guess at a possible valuation. "Freckling" can describe anything from a few pinprick finish failures up to wide grain-of-sand (or even larger) defects. I don't mind a couple of pinpricks, but might step back from anything worse.

Like SP I would guess this might be as much as a $1000 gun, but that could be a stretch as you describe it. I would hope to get the one I see in my mind's eye for about $600-700. (And of course if my mind's eye proved to be overly kind when I saw the real thing, I would probably just back away and not pursue the deal.)

 

[rburg]

Make sure it is what you think it is. My experience has been that folks say the gun is a certain model because it looks kinda like that. The reality of 3rd models is many aren't. Look at the serial number first. If its got an S prefix, it would be a postwar 3rd (or a Model of 1950). If the serial is under 62,000 and above about 15,000, its really a 3rd model. Look for target sights, always an indication on 3rds that its worth $1000 more than without them (if original, look for serrated back and front straps). If the serial is low, like below the 15,000 area, its probably 1st Model/Triple Lock. Make sure it does have the underlug (if not, its a 2nd model.)

Value guesses are pretty hard until you know what it really is. Go looking with an open mind. Look in your SCSW3 and familiarize yourself with the features.

 

[handejector]

As others said, make sure it's a 3rd.
A 6-1/2 is a desirable gun. Period.

If you find one below a thou, even without grips, above 90%, you pulled off the find of the year.

 

[PMRet]

Went to see the gun today, and even though I know not to get too excited about a gun based solely on somebody else's description, it was still a real disappointment.

First thing I saw was that the ejector rod is NOT shrouded. There actually is no rust or freckling, but the "typical holster wear on the muzzle and high spots" turned out to be significant finish wear all over the gun. The chambers are clean, but there is some pitting in the bore. The timing is good, but there is excessive lateral play in the cylinder. The serial number is 25xxx, which dates to 1926 according to SCSW. So, bottom line, looks like it's a 2nd Model, not a 3rd. By the way, the asking price is $359.

Here are a couple of really poor cell phone pictures, best I could do under the circumstances.

 

[DCWilson]

Can't be sure with the direct flash, but it looks like it may have been refinished once, too. Leading corners of the yoke are a little round, barrel rollmarks look a little soft.

Sorry for the disappointment, but the 1926 of your dreams is still out there somewhere.

 

[Art Doc]

Definitely refinished. Awful grips.

Offer him $325 and run like a thief with a nice shooter.

 

[bettis1]

To bad. It really points out just how inaccurate some descriptions can be, and how important it is to be well informed when you shop.

Just to point how things might have been if it had actually been a 6.5" Third Model, there were estimated to have only been 100-150 of that model made in that barrel length. So to echo Lee, if you could have gotten it for a grand in the condition described, you would have a steal. If the finish was much better it would have been closer to 3K. If you found that same gun with targets, you could have bumped up against five figures.

Bob

 

[PMRet]

As I said before, I'm not all that familiar with pre-war revolvers, so when I got a heads up on the gun I posted here and then dug into SCSW. The key evidence for a 3rd model seemed to be the purported shrouded ejector rod.

Sure I'm a little disappointed, but I still enjoyed researching the gun and going to see it. Thanks to everyone for the input.

 

[bettis1]

As I said before, I'm not all that familiar with pre-war revolvers, so when I got a heads up on the gun I posted here and then dug into SCSW. The key evidence for a 3rd model seemed to be the purported shrouded ejector rod.

Sure I'm a little disappointed, but I still enjoyed researching the gun and going to see it. Thanks to everyone for the input.

Don't be too disappointed, just take it in stride and keep looking. It was a great learning experience and all of us shared it with you. We all have them every time we look for a desired gun.

You are correct that the shrouded ejector is the first clue to the possibility of it being a 3rd Model HE. Then check to see if it has the third locking lug which would indicate a 1st Model (Triple Lock). Then look at the size of the hole in the barrel to decide if it is a .44 (Wolf & Klar) or .38/44 (Heavy Duty). If any of them have a target sight, try your best to keep from fainting as you reach for your wallet.

Bob

 

[phenson]

This would be a 3rd model with 6 1/2" barrel. This one is a post-war transitional that shipped on July 18, 1946.

It does have a couple of freckles........

 

[jhvaughan2]

Not trying to be too crass but I'm having a hard time finding much sympathy.

I'd be quite happy to find any pre-war .44 he for $350!

 

[handejector]

I'm not convinced that old gun is refinished. Just not possible to tell from those pics.
If not, it is a good buy to get you started down the "Path of Pre-War Ruin".
Buy it and show it love till you get a better one, assuming it is not refinished.
If you're interested, post some better pics and we'll give our opinions.

 

[PMRet]

There are signs of a possible refinish. The rollmarks, including the S&W logo, are not sharp, and the front edge of the sideplate is slightly rounded. I would describe the remaining finish as kind of a bright blue, and I'm not sure what the original finish would have been. Here is one more picture I pulled off my cellphone, although it's not any better than the others.

I got a PM from another forum member who expressed interest in the gun, so I passed along the location information to him.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Looks like a 2nd Model to me. And an older one too judging by the mushroom shaped knob on the extractor rod. The photos are much too indistinct to judge the condition of the finish. I would grab it in a heart beat at that price, even with the crappy grips. Easy enough to replace them with modern made replica grips and you would have a nice shooter. Have you priced any other old N frames recently?

 

[Wiregrassguy]

I got a PM from another forum member who expressed interest in the gun, so I passed along the location information to him.

I'm surprised you only got one PM. At that price and if the action is good, it's a no brainer.

Vinson, Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! GREAT SCOTT, what a beautiful .44 target! Tell us, please, that it's your gun.

 

[JohnRippert]

I would have nabbed that even with the grips. Searching for proper grips in the right shape would be a nice project. At least a shooter and I can't remember the last time I saw a old N-frame at that price, no matter the shape.

 

[DWalt]

Even as a shooter, $359 is a very good price. I would have taken it, assuming the only problems were cosmetic.