.44 Hand Ejector 1st Model

[DARE]

A.K.A. New Century, Triple Lock, .44 Military - Model of 1908.
I had one that belonged to my father. 6 1/2" nickel, MOP stocks, serial number 3463. Shipped February 1912.
Sold it at a gun show and regretted it.
Was able to replace it here on the Forum. Found one that was 6 1/2" nickel, MOP stocks, serial number 12090. Shipped April 14, 1916 to the Cowdrey Company, New York City. Actually in a little better condition than the one I sold.
Letter said checkered diamond square butt grips with gold Smith & Wesson medallions. Picked up a set of those. Sold the MOPs to offset the cost a bit.
I liked that the old gun had a four digit number and shipped four years earlier, but happy I was able to more or less replace it.

 

[mchom]

Congratulations!!!

Beautiful Triple lock !!!

 

[quinn]

Congrats, David. Interesting trying to replace something you let go in the past. Was doing exactly that this morning for a Graflex camera I let out of my hands back about 1972. But the one I was after today got sold a couple of hours before I got there. You luck gives me hope.

 

[Muley Gil]

Congrats! My 5" TL .44 is one of my most accurate revolvers.

 

[Hawg Rider]

You acquired a very nice nickel 6-1/2" bbl. New Century (.44 HE, TL)! It's too bad that you sold your father's TL...it was probably a sweet revolver. But at least you've somewhat replaced it now and it can become a family heirloom. I've been searching for one that I could afford for quite a while, and I'm off to a local gun show today to see what I can find. I would prefer a blued 6-1/2" bbl version, but any TLs are scarce as hen's teeth around here and online. Every time the wife and I watch "The Mummy Returns" (2001, starring Brendan Fraser) I get jealous because in the early scenes Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser) flashes around a minty blued 6-1/2" TL! Well, it's on my bucket list. The closest I've come so far is this modified 1927 4" nickel .44 HE 3rd Model (W&K Model of 1926). Congratulations and enjoy!

 

[DARE]

Got around to removing the side plate on this gun. I'm not much of a gunsmith so had never done one.
Removed them from six pre-war guns. The guns shipped between 1900 and 1937.
This one was by far the worst. The pictures are after I cleaned as well as I could without disassembly. Wish I had photos of the way it looked when I opened it. Pretty grungy.
108 years old. Is it normal for one to look this bad?

I don't want to attempt disassembly. Could I soak the gun in something to further clean it up?

 

[murphydog]

A thorough flushing with aerosol brake cleaner should do the trick, followed by a light re-oiling.

 

[Muley Gil]

First off, Do Not cock the hammer with the side plate off. You can snap the pins.

Personally, I would strip it and really clean it. If you don't wish to remove the hand from the trigger, don't. That is the only really tricky re-assembly.

Scrub the heck out of everything with a brass bristle toothbrush after letting it soak.

 

[rct269]

Disassembly and reassembly of a S&W hand ejector revolver is child's play! I'll be glad to talk you through it. Only one "special tool" is required, and that can be fashioned from a small old screwdriver you don't need to turn screws anymore---because you've cut/filed a small notch in the blade.

Hosing it down with the contents of a spray can does a great job of moving the crud from where you can see it to where you can't----looks better-------isn't!!

And like the man said, DO NOT cock the hammer/cycle the action with the sideplate off!! (The sideplate supports the studs the revolving parts move about. Move anything in there with the sideplate off, and you run the risk of bending/breaking them. Then you get to listen to folks tell you they'd be happy to make new ones for you----for a sizeable wad of money---even install them for you----for an additional sizeable wad of money!

You want a challenge?!! Try doing this with a Straight Line single shot! There's an X-Ray photo and a copy of the patent drawing in N&J. That's the end of any aids I know about, but I got it done---first crack out of the box! The big surprise was it worked when I got through!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[DARE]

Took the gun to the range a day or two ago. My first time to shoot a triple lock.
About 3 1/2" low at 7 yards using a 6 o'clock hold. Would have been about right with a dead center hold.
Ammo was HSM Cowboy Action Cartridges. 240 gr. SWC 845 fps.
My S&W 1941 catalog says 246 gr. 770 fps for .44 S&W Special.
About 1 1/2" group. 5 shots offhand single and double action.

Also a pic of the gun with the MOP stocks.

 

[raljr1]

These old work horses shoot so well

Here is the first target from mine a few years ago..