4" pre 29 Photos added

[bob in texas]

Don't know how I got them upside down.


After reading the thread by 470EVANS about his Model 1950 44 Special, I remembered the 5-screw pre-29 4 inch in the back of the safe serial # S1476XX it got me curious about shipment of it.
I have not thought of lettering it and will wait until the rush is over, I thought late 1956 would be close, but it could be as early 1955 from what I read in that thread. 2/1956 would be great as that is my birth month.
I will try to get photos done as I know the folks here like them.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Bob

 

[Wiregrassguy]

The SCSW, 4th Edition says 1955-56. Pre-Model 29 serial number S145318 was shipped in April 1956. Pre-Model 29 serial S153734 was shipped in February 1957.

 

[delcrossv]

What, no pictures?!?

 

[Doc44]

Bob...The first 44 Magnum with a 4-inch barrel was manufactured in late February 1956 and taken to the Mid-Winter Matches in Tampa, FL in early March 1956 as part of the S&W factory display. The display was later sold to Jesse E. Harpe and invoiced on March 22, 1956. The serial number of this 44 Magnum is S130884.

Shipments of 44 Magnums with a 4-inch barrel to distributors began in November 1956.

In my database, I have six 4-inch 44 Magnums with a serial number close to yours, namely, S147604, S147608, S147628, S147636, S147637, and S147643. Each of these 44 Magnums shipped from February-June 1957. Of course, only a letter will reveal the actual shipping date of your 44 Magnum.

Bill

 

[JP@AK]

Bob

According to Cross & Jinks in Early .44 Magnum Information, the first production .44 Magnum was completed on December 15, 1955. Moreover, according to the same source, "The first .44 Magnum with a 4" barrel was manufactured in February, 1956 . . ." The serial number was S130884.

There are only two .44 Magnums with serial numbers in the S147xxx range listed among the units known to have shipped in the first six months of production (January - June, 1956). They were S147220 (1/27/56) and S147229 (3/22/56). Both had the 6 1/2" barrel.

It is important to note that the lists in that book are not exhaustive because the list is made up from a list of letters issued. However, based on the information quoted in my first paragraph above, it seems highly unlikely that your revolver shipped in February, 1956.

Now, there are six 4" .44 Magnums listed in the S1476xx range. They are S147604, S147608, S147628, S147636, S147637 and S147643. All of them shipped in 1957, although S147628 is "open on the books" (so, no date is available). If yours is one of those five, let us know and I can give you the exact ship date.

If you get a letter, please report what you learn from it.

 

[JP@AK]

I should have known Bill would beat me to it!

Of course, he is the source of the information I provided in my post . . .