.44 Magnum 4", 5 Screw, 1956

FWIW, with a couple of handling marks and some holster wear, that looks more like a 90% gun to me - but that is just my grading scale.
$1,400 for the gun and $600 for the Cokes seems about right for the current market. If it letters as to 1956, then that would just be a bonus.
 
DARE said:
Serial number S153063. A better pic of the sideplate.



I emailed the seller and he said he believes it is original finish. He has sold a bunch of guns, so hopefully he knows what he is talking about.



pix744110419.jpg
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This is one of the first places I look to check if a gun is original finish. I'm pretty sure it's original.
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Sent from my SM-G781U1 using Tapatalk
 
While the number of 4" 5 screw guns, and 4" 4 screw guns, is much smaller than the 6 1/2" 44 Magnums, the collector value of the 4", in like condition is naturally higher. I believe that the buyers of the 44 Magnums in the mid-1950's wanted the power of the 44 magnum round going down the longer barrel. Of course I was only 8 years old at the time so I am only proffering a guess. It looks to me that David (DARE) found a well used and well cared for example of the early 4" 44 Magnum, with what looks to me to be the original finish. If that thing could only talk. Congratulations on acquiring that hard to find revolver.
 
The 44 Magnum was cataloged in January 1956 as being available with a 6 1/2 inch or 4 inch barrel, but the 4 inch 44 Magnums did not become available until late in 1956 (generally November and December, with a very few shipping a little earlier). I don't know why S&W delayed manufacture of shorter barrel as the first 4-inch was made in February.

Bill
 
Bill, thank you very much for the ship date. I am excited!
Will send my letter request as soon as I have the gun in hand.
Decided a while back to letter all guns.
I consider it a donation to SWHF and get a free letter out of the deal.
Wanted a 4" pre 29 because had one that came from my dad and foolishly sold it. His was a 4 screw, 4" about 98% with case and tools.
I like that this gun is a 5 screw and shipped in 1956.
The condition is ok with me because could not afford a high condition gun.
Will post pics when I receive the gun and the letter when it arrives. Will also order any SWHF documents that are available.
 
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And there was much rejoicing....Yayy!

I've always looked at the .44 Magnum as a gun that handgun hunters would want so makes sense to introduce it as a long tube,
On the other hand the .357 cartridge was already available in long tube N frames and offering the smaller K frame Combat Magnum was aimed at the LEO market as a duty weapon so makes sense it began life as a 4" .

Few things in life bring such pleasure as a 6 groove Combat Magnum paired with a 4" five screw .44 Magnum (Combat barrel length) .
Maybe adding a five screw 4" N frame .357 Magnum from 1956 or a 4" in .44 special ?
Ughhh it never ends.
 
I don't think that there was any sequence or order applied to .44 Magnum serial numbers as they were being placed in inventory or shipped to distributors. I have S147233, blue, 6-1/2" with coke stocks, shipped July 5, 1956 to Amarillo Hardware Co. There were five (5) of this model in the shipment, billed at the wholesale price of $83 each.
 
The Gila Bender said:
I don't think that there was any sequence or order applied to .44 Magnum serial numbers as they were being placed in inventory or shipped to distributors. I have S147233, blue, 6-1/2" with coke stocks, shipped July 5, 1956 to Amarillo Hardware Co. There were five (5) of this model in the shipment, billed at the wholesale price of $83 each.
Click to expand...

Those Amarillo folks were certainly early adopters of 44 Magnums. Mine went to Morrow-Thompson Hardware, Amarillo, TX, Nov. 13, 1956). I've seen several other early ones reported as shipping to Amarillo as well.

Jeff
SWCA #1457
 
My 4" serial number S147292, 59 units after Gila Bender's, was shipped in June, 1957, almost a year after Gila's. Like 22highpower says, "last one in, first one out". I thought 4" guns shipped in 6" boxes with a block of wood was interesting; this is approaching bizarre.
 
MarkHayden said:
I thought 4" guns shipped in 6" boxes with a block of wood was interesting; this is approaching bizarre.
Click to expand...
I have a 5-screw 3 1/2" .357 Magnum that shipped in a gold box with the block...I have the gun, box and wood block, the gun appears unfired since the factory test...

I know, we need pics or it ain't so...But I can't make it happen this instant...;)...Ben
 
Congratulations on your find and addition to your collection.
I would have bought that gun too, even not knowing for sure if it was a first year gun.

The fact that it is is just icing on the cake. Before you know it, you'll forget what you paid and you'll be happy you have it.
 
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