2ND MODEL 44 SPECIAL

[buffalo4star]

Very happy was able to pick up this 2nd model recently. It left the factory in June 1929. The grips are numbered but not to this gun, about 800 numbers distant. The only makings have found is 1054 stamped on the grip. Obviously back to the factory but not certain what was done. The previous owner has no knowledge either. Looking at the view of the left side you can just about make out the head of a screw. Possibly there for a grip adapter. Any and all comment's appreciated…..Lou

 

[mchom]

Congratulations Buffalostar!!!
Beautiful 2nd model. For many years I failed to appreciate this model. But I’ve since gotten a few.

Mine are in the low 30k range and one at 45444

 

[Hondo44]

Outstanding acquisition.

It's a beauty. I find something very interesting. It went back to the mother ship in 1954. Every pre war gun refinished after the war at the factory I've ever seen leaves one little piece of evidence: a polished flat rebound slide retention pin on the left side of the frame in front of the top of the grip panel.
Pre war new guns and factory pre war refinished guns have a domed, not polished flat. New production post war polishing protocol has flat polished pins. Pre war guns factory refinished after WWII also have the pins flat finished.

Yours is domed. And you didn't report a refinished stamp on the heel of the grip frame, left side. Does it have a stamp something like this?

 

[22hipower]

Your gun probably shipped with non-medallion service stocks such as shown below. Those with the medallions didn't show up until 1930 although I'm not sure of the exact date and guns probably shipped with non medallion stocks in to the 1930s.

 

[buffalo4star]

Outstanding acquisition.

It's a beauty. I find something very interesting. It went back to the mother ship in 1954. Every pre war gun refinished after the war at the factory I've ever seen leaves one little piece of evidence: a polished flat rebound slide retention pin on the left side of the frame in front of the top of the grip panel.
Pre war new guns and factory pre war refinished guns have a domed, not polished flat. New production post war polishing protocol has flat polished pins. Pre war guns factory refinished after WWII also have the pins flat finished.

Yours is domed. And you didn't report a refinished stamp on the heel of the grip frame, left side. Does it have a stamp something like this?

View attachment 876605

The only stamp seen thus far is the 1054 stamp.

 

[buffalo4star]

The S/N is 32381 while the grips S/N is 33222. The additional photos show the only stampings.

 

[raljr1]

That is very nice

 

[Wiregrassguy]

That is a service department date of service stamp for October 1954. Is there a star next to your serial number on the butt of the gun?

 

[buffalo4star]

That is a service department date of service stamp for October 1954. Is there a star next to your serial number on the butt of the gun?

No star

 

[Fullmetaljacket]

Could it have gone back to the factory in 1954 for work that did not include a polish and re-blue?

 

[Wiregrassguy]

No star

Could it have gone back to the factory in 1954 for work that did not include a polish and re-blue?

No way to know unless the Historical Foundation has service records they can pull up to see what was requested and done. They need a Letter of Authenticity first then they will do a deep dive.

 

[Hondo44]

Could it have gone back to the factory in 1954 for work that did not include a polish and re-blue?

It might have needed minor gunsmithing that didn't need a major part replacement or refinish.

 

[Retired W4]

The lowly, unappreciated (compared to his 1st and 3rd model brothers) 2nd Model 44 Hand ejectors. I really like it. I need to find another one to go with my 44 HE 4th, Target. I let a very nice example slip through my hands years ago. Kind of like that old girl friend that you wonder about still today. My 44 Target needs something to keep him warm at night.

Hopefully my wife doesn't read this. She'll think I'm nuts.

 

[Hondo44]

Actually she already thinks that, like all of our wives do.

 

[22hipower]

Kind of like that old girl friend that you wonder about still today. My 44 Target needs something to keep him warm at night.

That old girl friend now might not be quite as lithe and voluptuous as you remember. . . . .

 

[buffalo4star]

Request for a letter was submitted today. Let’s see what took place

 

[pasound]

My 44 HE 2nd model lettered to 9/13/1923. Serial 20943, with an armory proofed WWI frame, repurposed for this civilian gun, and factory nickeled. These 2nd model big bores are wonderful shooters.

The minimalist factory grips are stored away, don't want to damage them. Grabbed these Altamont's with finger grooves from eBay and they work well for me.

 

[mchom]

Here’s a few…
The 3 on left are .44-40 from same shipment. One of the stocks is numbered the others being correct style (thanks .22 Highpower) that I had to find. The one .44 spl on right the stocks do number. The 44-40’s are 36161, 36162 & 36168. The .44 spl is 45444.

I know another forum member or 2 have .44-40’s from this same batch.

 

[22hipower]

Here’s a few…
The 3 on left are .44-40 from same shipment. One of the stocks is numbered the others being correct style (thanks .22 Highpower) that I had to find. The one .44 spl on right the stocks do number. The 44-40’s are 36161, 36162 & 36168. The .44 spl is 45444.
View attachment 877135
I know another forum member or 2 have .44-40’s from this same batch.

We could search a long time and not find three in 44-40. Beautiful and rare 2nd Models!

 

[buffalo4star]

Range time yesterday. Not surprised to see this great 2nd
Model grouped beautifully at 50’. Done with loads of 5 grs Trail Boss & 5.2 grs 231 behind a 240 Xtreme plated bullet. The old craftsman really knew how to put a revolver together. This is one hell of a gun!…..Lou

 

[45NUTT]

My 1934 WSP 44 Special.



My 1914 2nd Model 455/45 Colt # 7084.

 

[buffalo4star]

Cleaning my 2nd M this evening learned it had a feature that was not aware of and haven’t seen it for some time. Like to clean the cylinder in a vise that has two concave jaws with cork padding. Easier to clean when separated from the frame. Took the screw out to remove the cylinder and began to slide the cylinder away from the frame and a pin shot across the bench. Fortunately it hit a box and landed in plain sight. Can’t wait to learn if it will be a problem putting it in and closing the cylinder.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Cleaning my 2nd M this evening learned it had a feature that was not aware of and haven’t seen it for some time. Like to clean the cylinder in a vise that has two concave jaws with cork padding. Easier to clean when separated from the frame. Took the screw out to remove the cylinder and began to slide the cylinder away from the frame and a pin shot across the bench. Fortunately it hit a box and landed in plain sight. Can’t wait to learn if it will be a problem putting it in and closing the cylinder.

Cylinder hold open detent. Check the hole in the frame for the spring. It may have launched with the pin. The usual practice on pre-war N frames is to remove the cylinder and yoke inside a plastic bag to keep from losing the pin and spring.

 

[buffalo4star]

Cylinder hold open detent. Check the hole in the frame for the spring. It may have launched with the pin. The usual practice on pre-war N frames is to remove the cylinder and yoke inside a plastic bag to keep from losing the pin and spring.

Plastic bag, good idea. Fortunately the spring remained in the hole.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Sorta surprising you still had the feature. Lots of pre-war guns with the detent feature have lost the pin and spring...or just the pin. I have found refinished guns with missing pins but springs still inside the frame hole.

 

[StrawHat]

My 1934 WSP 44 Special,

Does page two mentioned what stocks were on it when it left the factory? I thought the Magna stocks were introduced in 1935 with the 357 S&W Magnum.

Kevin

 

[The Kid]

I should letter my 2nd Model Target. I’ve had it a long time now, shoot it pretty regularly. It wears some non matching prewar Magnas that I consider a good upgrade. It doesn’t even have the hole in the crane for the cylinder hold open detent. It’s number 40328.

 

[45NUTT]

Does page two mentioned what stocks were on it when it left the factory? I thought the Magna stocks were introduced in 1935 with the 357 S&W Magnum.

Kevin

The letter does not state what stocks were on it when it shipped. I thought it would have.

 

[poledorus]

Cylinder hold open detent. Check the hole in the frame for the spring. It may have launched with the pin. The usual practice on pre-war N frames is to remove the cylinder and yoke inside a plastic bag to keep from losing the pin and spring.

What very good advice. Cheers

 

[Kinman]

I managed to get my hands on two 2nd Model H.E.s in 44 special, one was modified by the factory with later target sights installed and a complete refinish all in the same year, once to test the results the second time for the refinish. The other is as issued.