44 Magnum Acquired

[SVT28]

So 2020 has been a quiet year for new acquisitions but that boat got rocked today. While out of town, I stopped by an old hole in the wall gun store, the owners I know real well, to see if anything caught my eye.

Well 44 magnum, 5 screws, $900 price tag? You have my attention. Due diligence check shows numbers matching butt, cylinder, extractor, crane too. Shroud on the 8 3/8" barrel shows no serial unfortunately (my assumption is re barreled) but I don't see any evidence from the pin or frame being mauled from Bubbas barrel swap. I think the original bluing is good, no evidence of being shot often with the recoil shield being mint. Target trigger and target hammer have excellent case hardening. Stocks are also mint, no cracks or chips. Perfect timing, tight lockup, mint bore and chambers. I'd say its a solid 95%+ gun.

Serial is S154XXX, so we're thinking '56-'57. I haven't pulled the stocks again for rework marks as I'm out to dinner with family, but I did take a couple pics before I left the house (pre cleaning and detail). Any thoughts or feedback is much appreciated. A letter request will be in the works for sure This will be a great shooter!

SVT28

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[moosedog]

Great gun at a fantastic price. Congratulations. It appears to be a real beauty.

 

[colt_saa]

Congratulations on a great addition to the Family

 

[delcrossv]

Probably will letter as a 6.5", but you get all the 5 screw goodness with a long barrel- for only 9 beans!
I would have been all over that.

 

[S&WIowegan]

The stocks 'appear' to be Cokes. If so, they cover half the price tag. Hopefully Doc44 will join this thread to opine on originality of the the long barrel.

 

[daddio202]

GOOD GOOGLEY MOOO! What a beauty!! Good job and excellent price even if re-barreled. I just stopped by a few of my local haunts this week looking for something similar. My area is pretty much drained of all vintage guns and even not many new sand plasticware left on the shelves. I am excited for all the upcoming details on gun, keep them coming.

 

[Nightowl]

That's a great looking .44 Mag. I'm thinking the serial number is probably a little early for an 8 3/8 barrel. If I remember right, I don't think the 8 3/8 s shipped until 1958. It certainly has not been shot much! Great find.

 

[robertrwalsh]

You done good.

 

[Doc44]

Your assumption about a barrel replacement is correct. Still, a great 44 Magnum and my favorite barrel length to shoot. A great price too!!!

The first 44 Magnums with an 8 3/8-inch barrel were completed in late 1958 and have a 4-screw frame.

Bill

 

[Jdomin]

S&W 29

No doubt you purchased a sleeper for $900! Well done. Was it a private sale or in a gun shop?

 

[Neversink n Klapperthal]

I had a rebarreled 5 screw 8 3/8 too. Not sure but i dont think they made a 5 screw in that barrel length. Still a fantastic price regardless

 

[stansdds]

Even if it is rebarreled, for $900 you got a great deal on a 5-screw 44 Magnum.

 

[SVT28]

Thanks everyone for the kind words. I finally got a chance to thoroughly clean the 44 Magnum and take a few more pics. I thought I noticed a rework date on the frame when we pulled the stocks off at the store. I was hoping the R-Bi (or R-Bl) and 10-72 was indicative of a factory rebarrel and reblue. From my research on the forum, it appears there could be a chance that it went back to Smith for the work in October of 1972. A letter will be requested for this one very soon, can't wait to learn more about it. Other than the trademark logo being a little faint, the suspected reblue is darn good. Side plate fit is excellent.

The action is the best out of any Smith revolver I've ever owned, aside from a couple triple locks. I think the highlight of the score is the very good condition coke stocks. It's getting shot and a range report tomorrow.

SVT28

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[series guy]

Very well done!

 

[Neversink n Klapperthal]

the big tipoff is the small "&" between "Smith & Wesson". I think they went to the smaller one around 1970