.44 HE 2nd model

[Raider]

Joan gave me this .44 2nd model HE last year for my birthday. I ran across it today and wanted to show it. It has the common 6 1/2 inch barrel with all matching numbers (including grips) and original finish. We have test fired it and its smooth action and light trigger make it an extremely accurate old gun. Serial number of 20155 dates it to 1923 - 1924 according to the SCSW. The only thing that bothers me is that the lanyard loop is steel colored and not blue.There are no army proofs so that makes me think that it was made from a new frame and not a leftover 1917 frame.

Good news. Joan is back home. She has to use a walker for a while but is attending physical therapy. We believe that she will make a full recovery. Thanks to each of you for your good thoughts and wishes for her.

Best

Charlie & Joan

 

[bamabiker]

That's a nice looking old gun. Glad to hear about Joan.

 

[DCWilson]

Great revolver. Just looking at it makes me want to redouble my efforts to pick up a nice old prewar .44.

On the lanyard loop -- if you take the stocks off, do you see a pinning hole that would secure the lanyard loop shaft once it was screwed in? Seems to me the guns that were made with lanyard loops as original equipment all have pins that hold the loop perpendicular to the frame. Since your loop is at an angle, I wonder if it never had a pin, which is evidence of later installation, or maybe it fell out.

 

[Raider]

The lanyard loop is pinned, not screwed. It swivels all the way around.

Charlie

 

[Muley Gil]

IIRC, the pre WW II lanyard loops were casehardened.

 

[DCWilson]

The lanyard loop is pinned, not screwed. It swivels all the way around.

Charlie

Hmmmmm, a learning moment for me. Is this the way all lanyard loops are attached on S&Ws? I have never held a looped gun and don't know.

 

[Muley Gil]

"Quote:
Originally Posted by Raider
The lanyard loop is pinned, not screwed. It swivels all the way around.

Charlie

Hmmmmm, a learning moment for me. Is this the way all lanyard loops are attached on S&Ws? I have never held a looped gun and don't know.
__________________
David Wilson"

The factory bores a hole in the gun butt and then drills a second, much smaller hole for a pin crossways through the frame. The lanyard loop shank is inserted into the hole and the pin is pressed into place, allowing the loop to swivel 360 degrees.

 

[dinghysailer]

Lanyard Loops

The fact that the serial number on the butt is off center, and not obscured or damage by the hole for the lanyard loop, suggests that the lanyard loop was installed at the factory.

 

[Texas Star]

I once had a .455 Second Model, and I think the lanyard ring was blued. But maybe it had a worn case-hardened finish?

T-Star

 

[bettis1]

Charlie,

That's a very nice old 2nd Model.

Regarding the swivel: I've got 2nd Models with both blue and case hardened butt swivels (aka lanyard loop). It is my understanding that both were used. I'd guess that yours is a case hardened one with the colors just faded. I think it is perfectly correct.

Bob