2nd Model hand ejector

[Mburns78]

Greetings everyone. I just joined this site as of 4/25/2020.
I have what I believe to be a 2nd model hand ejector. She is a 44 special cartridge with 5-screws and a serial number on the butt and under the barrel of 15313. Here's what I don't understand - It has no shroud around the ejector, so it's a 2nd model, right? Well I thought only 1st models have a serial number up to 15375. Trying to figure out what year it's from as well, but the serial number is throwing me off.
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[LLOYD17]

Welcome! There have been some 2nd Models with serials in the 1st Model range. The database has a 2nd model about 60 higher than yours that shipped in 1917. The SCSW says 2nd Model serials start around 15376. Either way, that's an early 2nd Model.

Here's 14828 that shipped in 1916:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...4-44-h-e-2nd-model.html?363944=#post137775473

 

[Mburns78]

Thanks a million Lloyd. Been wondering about this antique for a long time ! It was from my grandfather.

 

[delcrossv]

Thanks a million Lloyd. Been wondering about this antique for a long time ! It was from my grandfather.

Beautiful piece. Your grandfather took great care of that firearm!

 

[Bob L]

It is fantastic to have a firearm like that with the family history to go with it. It would pay to write down everything you know about the history with your Grandfather and that pistol and keep them together to pass down though the family.

 

[murphydog]

Cool gun. Given its family history, a letter of authenticity may be interesting:

http://www.swhistoricalfoundation.com/swhf_letter.pdf

It would tell you the date and destination of shipment but likely not to your grandfather as an individual, even if he was the original owner (more likely a dealer or distributor). Enjoy!

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

Very nice 2nd Model .44, especially with the family connection.

I wonder if the punch marks on the butt have any special meaning??? Granddaddy wasn't a lawman, was he?

 

[COLD RIVER]

I've been missing from this forum since 2012 had been taking care of Mom and Dad for 14 yrs until their death last year, I've done my job. I also has a s&w from dad, 6 1/2, re blue, in perfect condition, SS# 3XX, 3 digit. Need info how to send photos from android smart phone. Thanks cold river

 

[6518John]

I wonder if the punch marks on the butt have any special meaning??? Granddaddy wasn't a lawman, was he?

I wondered if the damage to wood at the butt is from driving nails or steeples in wanted posters?

 

[quinn]

Welcome to the forum. That 2nd 44 appears in beautiful condition! My heirloom guns were frequently rode hard and put away wet so you have a real jewel.

 

[delcrossv]

I've been missing from this forum since 2012 had been taking care of Mom and Dad for 14 yrs until their death last year, I've done my job. I also has a s&w from dad, 6 1/2, re blue, in perfect condition, SS# 3XX, 3 digit. Need info how to send photos from android smart phone. Thanks cold river

Sounds neat. Start a new thread!

 

[Muley Gil]

I've been missing from this forum since 2012 had been taking care of Mom and Dad for 14 yrs until their death last year, I've done my job. I also has a s&w from dad, 6 1/2, re blue, in perfect condition, SS# 3XX, 3 digit. Need info how to send photos from android smart phone. Thanks cold river

Welcome to the Forum.

As noted, please start your own thread. We also need the caliber of your revolver. It wasn't until 1968 that unique serial numbers were required. You can have quite a few S&Ws, in different calibers, all with the same SN.

 

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the forum!

I agree completely with LLOYD17.

Beginning and ending serial #s can often only be guides and not absolute.

"She" is a Model .44 Hand Ejector - 2nd Model as you posted. "She is" not a ".44 SPECIAL CTG." which is the cartridge chambering.

The 3 punch dots on the butt are a curiosity. They don't appear to be random, but rather punched intentionally.

HISTORY OF PUNCH DOTS after test firing at the factory:
These marks are made by the test shooters to show that the gun had gone through the range and was test fired.

A tiny P was the first mark used on guns after test firing. You will see it on the top break revolvers generally under the cylinder and in the front lower corner of the cyl window on Triple Locks. Later on the left side of the grip frame's front strap, near the top, just below the stock circle under the stocks there are two tiny round punch dots. Also can be a single punch mark on left side grip frame.

In the 1950's period, two dots will be found in the front lower corner of the cyl window.

At the time of your gun's production punch dots were used as posted above. However another anomaly of Smith's workmen (perhaps an apprentice) was they occasionally did things slightly different from factory protocol. The dots on the butt may be another example. Are there any dots in the other locations listed above?

You have a classic old Smith, congrats and enjoy!

 

[Mburns78]

It is fantastic to have a firearm like that with the family history to go with it. It would pay to write down everything you know about the history with your Grandfather and that pistol and keep them together to pass down though the family.

Definitely going to ! Thanks

 

[Mburns78]

Hondo44 - "She" is a Model .44 Hand Ejector - 2nd Model as you posted. "She is" not a ".44 SPECIAL CTG." which is the cartridge chambering.
CRTG

Check out these photos - Thanks for the info, I found no other punch marks on the gun. F1-252 is etched bottom side of the muzzle, and on the inside of the trigger guard.

 

[Mburns78]

I would help you, but it took me an hour to figure out how to post pics from my Iphone, to computer and to this forum, and much trial and error.

 

[Mburns78]

Thanks Murphydog! Anyhow, maybe that would be a nice $100 dollar purchase of history

 

[Mburns78]

Funny not a lawman, but he served in the Korean War

 

[Muley Gil]

"F1-252 is etched bottom side of the muzzle, and on the inside of the trigger guard."

That could possibly be a police case number.

 

[Hondo44]

Check out these photos - Thanks for the info, I found no other punch marks on the gun. F1-252 is etched bottom side of the muzzle, and on the inside of the trigger guard.

I'm sorry I can't help you with those inscriptions except to say definitely not done by the factory.

Owners marked belongings with many different kinds of things to prove ownership, usually SS# or driver's license #.

Do yo have any documents of your grandfather's that might show his driver's license #. That would be my guess based on the #'s structure. Was he from Illinois and does that look like the state's DL format?