3rd Model 44 Hand ejector

[Roadranger]

I picked up a 3rd model 44 hand ejector, 5", at a gun show today. My SCSW#3 is at my office til Monday. The number is S6895X. It's either a late pre-war or a transitional model as far as I can tell. Can anybody look up the DOB on this for me? Bob!

 

[Muley Gil]

All of the "S" prefix serial numbers are post WW II.

It probably shipped in 1947-48.

 

[lowhog]

sounds like a transitional 1926 3rd model 44 military.The serial number range was s62489 through s75000. Made between 1946 and 1949. 1,473 reported manufactured. You have a very scarce gun.I hope you post some pictures.Mike

 

[Sebago Son]

Does it look like this?

S68,44x

This is, as I recall, a 1946 gun.

 

[lowhog]

Here is a pre-war with a 6.5 inch barrel.No s prefix .

 

[Roadranger]

I'm in my book now and as you all replied it is the transitional model, with a twist. After it left the factory, it apparently was sent to King's gun works for some modifications. It has the King's ramp front sight with Baughman style blade with the reflector, very professional installed. It also has( I assume) the King's fully adjustable rear sight installed into the frame, also very professionaly done. A wide hammer spur has been added to the hammer as well as a hammer stop. Apparently the gun was set up for serious single action shooting and shoot it does. I put 150 rounds of my standard reload, 240 SWC over 5.5 TrailBoss through it. It'll put six in one big ragged hole. However it is not reliable in double action mode. The strain screw has been shortened and the main spring has been tweeked.Does any body know it a fourth model mainspring will work in this model. I tried a late issue strain screw, the threads are different. I believe the transitional model incorporates a sliding safety bar. Mine is not in the gun, obviously removed earlier. Does anyone know where I could get a mainspring and a strain screw. This gun balances perfectly in the hand and is as close to a 5" M21/24 as I will ever get. I'm into to it for $750. Bob!

 

[bmg60]

44 Transition King gun 5 inch.

Hi
Here is a picture of mine its a 44 Transition king gun shipped in july of 46.
Should be a twin to yours. It has a King cockeyed hammer also.
Mine came from a Sheriff in Wyo about 30 Years ago.
jim

 

[lowhog]

Jim,thats a neat gun! Are those original transition grips on there?Looks like it.Is that the high polished blue or the matte finish?Mike

 

[Roadranger]

BMG60, that's it. Mine came with Magna grips, but not numbered to the gun. I see yours has a red insert in the front sight. I suspect the work King's did far exceeded the cost of the revolver. Jim, is your serial number anywhere close to mine, S6895X? Apparently, King's did a bunch of these. I wonder if they furnished the guns also? If I can get the double action running on mine, I'll be a happy camper. Mine also had a trigger shoe, which promptly gouged a hole in my trigger finger while working double action. I'm sure that single action target shooting was all the vouge in the 50's. Bob!

 

[50 target]

Hi
Here is a picture of mine its a 44 Transition king gun shipped in july of 46.
Should be a twin to yours. It has a King cockeyed hammer also.
Mine came from a Sheriff in Wyo about 30 Years ago.
jim

Jim, you're killing me. This is the second gun, really nice hard to come by gun, that has shipped in July 1946, my birth year and month. Please whatever you do, don't post another one, I'll have to increase my meds for depression.

Bob

 

[bmg60]

Hi
Yes those are Transition grips and gun is about 97% and its the brush blue but this one has a little better polish job so it has a little more shine to it. it a sweet gun double action is really smooth. I guess the sheriff did not what to have a problem.

My gun was shipped on july 18 1946 serial number is S-62782

Jim

 

[bmg60]

more 44 Transitions two 6 1/2 44 specials

Hi
well if we are on 44 Transitions how about a pair of 6 1/2 inch
both shipped to Seattle Washngton for the Washington HP
On Oct 3 1946. both have original numbered grips and are
Serial numbers S-63096 and S-63097. Thanks to dick Berg for one of them
and lee Jarrett for the other one. both are about the same condition
92% to 94%.

 

[Muley Gil]

Try putting a spent primer, minus the anvil, between the end of the strain screw and the mainspring. This may enable the revolver to fire in DA mode.

Mainsprings interchange.

 

[Roadranger]

Muley, I tried that on Sunday, not nimble enough to get it done. I have used that trick before on another N frame that I shortened the strain screw too much. I ordered a new mainspring, strain screw, and trigger rebound spring from Numeric( Gun Parts) today. Shipping and all was under $20. Thanks to the info provided by Jim, I'm going to say that my gun was probably built in 1947. That way, I can't be more than a year off either way. Bob!!

 

[Roadranger]

I got in a new mainspring, strain screw, and trigger rebound spring for my 3rd model 44. I installed the parts last evening, but didn't get a chance to shoot the gun for function testing. I've got the strain screw backed out about two turns for a nice double action pull, we'll see if it fires double action like that. I may be able to use the original strain screw that has been shortened. Bob!