2nd Model 44HE ?

[delta-419]

I have a second model 44HE that has the lanyard ring hole pluged up and nicely checked. It is a 1930s gun, my lanyard question is were the lanyard rings case hardened or blued. The one that I have is case colored. Were civilian guns blued along with the lanyard rings.

 

[Hondo44]

"Dec 20, 1944 Engineering change Order changed Case colored (don't expect a lot of vivid colors) to sandblast and blue because case colors were not uniform. Lee Jarrett"

ls the # drilled thru on the butt and restamped on the left side grip frame under the stock?

 

[delta-419]

44HE

Here are a few photos of the 44HE that I'm working on. My intent is restore the swivel back in the gun. It appears that I need a blue one for it to be correct since the one that I have is case hardened. I can polish it then one blue it. I'm thinking slow rust blue.

 

[wheelgun610]

Appears to have been ordered from the factory with the ring. The offset S/N is the clue.

What's holding the plug in?

Mark

 

[Toyman]

My 2nd model 21567 shipped November 1923 and has lanyard loop.
The frame has WW 1 inspection mark, left over 1917 frame S&W bought back from government. I would guess yours is the same and that is why
serial number is off set for lanyard ring.

 

[delta-419]

Lanyard plug

The plug was hard lead and had to be drilled out, used small drill bit to start and increased in size until the last bit cut out a ring and it came out in one piece. Finished installing the lanyard ring this afternoon, will post a photo later today.

 

[delta-419]

Ring Installed

Here are a couple of photos of the end product, went thru my stash of grips and found a set of polished stags to gus her up.

 

[Hondo44]

Nice 2nd Model and the magna style grips look great!

Your lanyard swivel is parkerized, probably from a WWII Victory Model.
You want a case colored swivel. Blued swivels were introduced until 1944, see post #2. Which is after the 2nd Model was discontinued in 1940.

You could polish it, blue it and rub most of the bluing off unevenly and it will resemble a case colored swivel which showed very few colors if any.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

That's a nice looking .44, Jim!

 

[The Gila Bender]

That's a sweet looking .44, the stag stocks are a nice touch!
I have two 2nd models with lanyard holes, one with lanyard and one without. The one with lanyard is a 5" shipped 12/8/26.