44 HAND EJECTOR ????

[GUMPOND1]

PURCHASED A 44 HAND EJECTOR BEFORE I HAD A CHANCE TO RESEARCH IT OUT, AND NOW I DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE- the serial number is 15519. It is located on the butt of the gun and on the cylinder. It has a 4 " barrel and aftermarket bone grips that have turned yellow with brown grain. It is NOT a triplelock but it does have the barrel shroud. 44 S&W SPECIAL CTG is on the right side of barrel and SMITH & WESSON on the left side. 736 is on the yoke. I see no patent dates on top of the barrel nor do I see the S&W symbol on the side. I am sure that it has been refinished at some time. the gun locks up tight- no rust or pitting. gun came in an old holster made by STELZIG SADDLERY CO., HOUSTON TEXAS. Pictures will be sent as soon as I return home to my camera. the serial number says early 2nd model but the configuration says Ist model but without triplelock- could this be a transition gun or what. thanks - bill

 

[lawandorder]

Sounds like a Third model (Wolf & Klar ), Stelzig is a good vintage Holster maker.

 

[GUMPOND1]

that is what I was thinking, but the serial number range is late Ist model or early 2nd model. could this gun be that much out of sequence? thanks Bill

 

[murphydog]

Do you see the SN inside the ejector rod shroud cutout? I would guess a replacement 3rd model barrel on a second model frame/cylinder.

 

[DWalt]

That SN would make it a very early 2nd Model (1915). Therefore, it's not a triple lock. Possibly a replacement barrel.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Do you see the SN inside the ejector rod shroud cutout? I would guess a replacement 3rd model barrel on a second model frame/cylinder.

I agree with this line of thinking,Of course the pics will tell the story much better than words.

 

[GUMPOND1]

There is no sn# on the barrel at all. I thought that if the barrel was from a model 3 lt would have a model 3 serial number. or do replacement barrels have no sn#. If it is a replacement barrel from smith does it drastically affevct the price? thanks Bill

 

[delta-419]

44 S&W Special

Photos please, your killing us with this mystery gun. Any marks on the frame under the grips? I assume the serial numbers on the cylinder, butt, and barrel shroud do not match or the barrel is without a number. We will stay tuned!

 

[Muley Gil]

Replacement barrels are not always serial number marked, especially if not replaced by the factory.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

To answer your other question on the value being affected.Since the Gun has been refinished it will not hurt as much as a original finish Gun with a Barrel swap.It will still affect the value but not much as the new barrel is somewhat of an "upgrade" with the ejector shroud and the 4" length vs the 6.5" it likely was when shipped.

 

[DWalt]

Back in the day, S&W usually stamped the original SN on a replacement barrel if they installed it. No SN would be interpreted by most as indicating that some non-factory smith installed it.

 

[ColbyBruce]

Help a brother out

The factory used to mark replacement barrels like this.

The factory used to stamp a repair date in the frame under the LH stock.

 

[Hondo44]

Great find. How well was the refinish done?

If the barrel doesn't have a rib, it's a 3rd model and a non-factory replacement since it's w/o serial number, but was a new barrel when replaced; not from another gun.

 

[GUMPOND1]

Sorry that it has taken so long to get back. I talked to someone at Smith and was told that that sn# left the factory around 1916-1917. It was an earlier 2nd model., It was upgraded (they might have called it an upgrade then, but I sure wish that they would have left it alone ) with a 4 inch barrel w a shrouded cylinder rod. There are no sn#s on the barrel so I assume that the barrel was new as opposed to one taken from another handgun. All the other numbers match. Under one of the bone handles is inscribed " BILL PIKE 1941 " The main disappointment that I see is the absence of the S&W trade mark on the side of the frame. The gun is tight and shoots well. pictures are following. thanks Bill

 

[GUMPOND1]

I guess I AM LOSING MY EYESIGHT AS WELL AS MY MEMORY- The carving on the inside of the grip says BILL PECK 1941 not BILL PIKE- SORRY - Bill

 

[delta-419]

44HE

Even though its been modified from its 2nd model status, you still have a great gun. I have several modified second model 44HEs in my stable. Lawmen liked those short barrels and you see a fair number of conversions. Next thing, is to try and research "Mr. Peck. 1941". You just might have a winner, besides 1941 is my birth year. I love the grips.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

You do have a winner!
The holster alone is super desirable!

 

[bengal fan]

You do have a winner!
The holster alone is super desirable!

I agree completely, I would love to have that package! The 4" makes it more desireable for me, I bet it's a great shooter.

 

[JSW]

That ‘s a very nice gun that someone had built exactly as they wanted. Most S&W collectors would be proud to own it!

 

[GUMPOND1]

Here are a few more pictures showing the rebluing or in this case refinishing of the gun. Notice that there is no S&W trademark stamped on the side of the gun. Did all of the 44 HE have one or did someone remove it. All the other stampings seem to be fairly clear. Thanks Bill

 

[Retired W4]

I too am curious about the lack of trademark on either side of the frame. It just does not look like it was polished off based on the condition of the rest of the gun. No Made in U.S.A. on the right side either which might be easy to explain. It is a great looking gun though. Nice package.

 

[44 special Dave]

When I saw the serial number and a 4" barrel, I thought naw can't be?!

Yes it is a nice gun but had it been a original 2nd model in 4", oh boy.

Never seen one, ever, in 47 years of being around smiths.(I'm 62)

Saw a grainy photograph of a possible one, but lettering looked off centered.

Enjoy nice piece.