44 D.A. 1st Model DOB

[barnside]

First: I just got back from my smith a .44 D.A. 1st Model, Serial # 20,0xx. Anyone have an idea when it made it out of the factory?.

Second: When I first got the gun, the single action notch on the hammer was worn down, making it double action only. As I was waiting it to get fixed, I ran across three others at pawn shops and gun shows that had the same problem. The funny part is that all three dealers claimed that the now d.a. only revolver was a rare, factory "special order" double action only model. Two claimed they had verified this with the factory. One claimed to have gotten a factory letter to that effect, but had not brought it to the show. The three guns were higher priced higher because of the special order d.a. only feature. Has anyone else come across the same sales pitch?

 

[barnside]

First: I just got back from my smith a .44 D.A. 1st Model, Serial # 20,0xx. Anyone have an idea when it made it out of the factory?.

Second: When I first got the gun, the single action notch on the hammer was worn down, making it double action only. As I was waiting it to get fixed, I ran across three others at pawn shops and gun shows that had the same problem. The funny part is that all three dealers claimed that the now d.a. only revolver was a rare, factory "special order" double action only model. Two claimed they had verified this with the factory. One claimed to have gotten a factory letter to that effect, but had not brought it to the show. The three guns were higher priced higher because of the special order d.a. only feature. Has anyone else come across the same sales pitch?

 

[barnside]

It's a .44 Russian topbreak d.a, serial #20,0xx

 

[opoefc]

Barnside, The old " Rare D.A.Only " scam has been around for years and used by sellers who realise they have a busted gun and want to unload it on some sucker. There are some S&W that left the factory as DA only and will letter that way but a .44DA is not one of them, in my experience. If a seller insist his gun is a factory DA only and rare, then he needs a letter to prove it, of course. One way to call their bluff is to have them remove the side plate and show you the hammer has no full cock notch as required for SA function. A worn, or ground out notch, proves their story false. BTW, the .44DA is a gun that all frames were made prior to 1899 ATF cut off date for antique firearms, therefore regardless of when it was shipped, it's an antique and no Fed. paperwork required to transfer. Many .44DAs will letter as shipped after 1899 and up to 1915, etc., but they are still antiques in the ATF's eyes.

 

[klondike]

Barnside I have one that is #28,44X. It also was a Da only -got it fixed, Then the mainspring broke - Chicone had the part. When I shoot it, I do not get consistent primer ignition, even with the newer spring as taught as it will go.
I know that it will not be shot often but, I have this bug that makes me want them to work as they should. Keep us updated on your project. My gun has more into it now than it will bring for a while.

 

[barnside]

The sellor's story for the gun was that he got it from Norm Flayderman in 70-71. It was a "bargain basement special", four or five revolvers that needed work for $100. The lot also included a Remington percussion army and a 49 Colt. Those were the days....

The .44 D.A. finish is now brown patina, but with very little pitting. The bore cleaned up well, with very strong rifling and almost no pitting. The gun has not been shot for the better part of a century. I bought a couple of boxes of cheap 44 Russian ammo from Sportman's Guide and shot it yesterday. It shot great. I had originally got it to fix up and resell, but now it's a keeper!
If I can figure out how to post photos, I'll do so.