44 Magnum "Types", 1956-1982

[Doc44]

As many of you know, old model (1953-1973) Ruger revolvers have been classified into types for purposes of establishing value and facilitating discussion between collectors. I have established the following types of S&W 44 Magnum without trying to be too detailed. I appreciate any comments you have.

Type 1: 5-screw frame, no model number, coke bottle stocks, extractor rod with a right-hand thread, bright blue or nickel, 4 or 6 1/2-inch barrel, tangs with six or ten grooves (1956-1957)

Type 2: 4-screw frame, no model number, coke bottle stocks, extractor rod with a right-hand thread, bright blue or nickel, 4, 6 1/2, or 8 3/8-inch barrel, tangs with ten grooves ((1957-1958)

Type 3: same a Type 2, but stamped MOD-29 in the yoke cut (1958-1962)

Type 4: 4-screw frame, stamped MOD. 29-1 in the yoke cut, coke bottle stocks, extractor rod with a left-hand thread, 4, 6 1/2, or 8 3/8-inch barrel, tangs with ten grooves (1962)

Type 5: 3-screw frame, stamped MOD. 29-1 in the yoke cut, coke bottle stocks, extractor rod with a right-hand thread, 4, 6 1/2, or 8 3/8-inch barrel, tangs with ten grooves (1962)

Type 6: 3-screw frame, stamped MOD. 29-2 in the yoke cut, coke bottle stocks, extractor rod with a left-hand thread, 4, 6 1/2, or 8 3/8-inch barrel, tangs with ten grooves (1963-1966)

Type 7: same as Type 6, but fitted with diamond target stocks made of Goncalo alves (1966-1969)

Type 8: same as Type 6, but fitted with non-diamond target stocks made of Goncalo alves (1969-1979)

Type 9: same as Type 6, but available with a 4, 6, or 8 3/8-inch barrel (1979-1982)

Bill

 

[jackvs1]

Ok Bill, out of the 9 types - how many do you have? I have type 1 & type 2
6 1/2 inch type 1 and 4 inch type 2, both blue. Would love to see some nickel 44 magnums in your thread or photo's of every type. if that is ok?

Type 5 - there is an error, 291 should be 29-1.

Thanks for starting this - this thread will be one to subscribe to.
Jack

 

[gmborkovic]

Thanks Bill, very clear and simple. I hope you get a little more detailed on the next one.

 

[Doc44]

Jack...correction made. I have all the types but Type 9. There are only five 5-screw 44 Magnums with an original nickel finish currently known, two Type 4 revolvers, and less than forty Type 5 revolvers.

Bill

 

[Harkrader]

Thanks, Doc44.
I can't possibly critique it, but I sure appreciate having the info.
SDH

 

[Jack Flash]

Very interesting. I can't critique it either but I wondered why you stopped with the 29-2. Is that where your collecting interests for the M29 end? Just asking.

 

[Engine49guy]

Very informative thank you !

Wondering if you have ever seen a type 1 or type 2 from the above chart that shipped with smooth presentation targets ?

 

[rck281]

How about including the 5" guns in the appropriate types.

 

[bracebeemer]

Great information Bill ! There will be overlaps between the various types. For instance I have a Type 1 .44 with a Type 2, 10 groove backstrap that was shipped in 1956.
Bill

 

[Doc44]

Actually, the Type 1 guns should include tangs with six or ten grooves (after serial number S166500 or so). I will change the description for Type 1. Dick...based on my information about 5-inch 44 Magnums, they include Types 1-3 and 5-7. However, I did not want to include non-catalogued barrel lengths.

Bill

 

[gmborkovic]

Bill, just a question. Why on the Type 5 did they return to the right hand thread?

 

[glowe]

Great information Bill. My only question is whether serial number ranges can be accurately associated with each class type? It would be very useful in quick identification, but suspect there might be some overlap in production?

 

[Doc44]

Type 4 and Type 5 revolvers (29-1) were shipped in 1962 (actually one Type 4 was shipped in 1963). I believe S&W was using up old parts for the 44 Magnum and that is why some guns stamped 29-1 were shipped out with 3-screw frames and old style extractor rods.

Serial number ranges and Types may have a general correlation, but I would not try to associate a particular range with a specific type (too much overlap). Tangs with ten grooves did appear around serial number S166500 in mid-1956 so I believe that association is valid, but I know of a couple of 44s in the S168000 range that have a 5-screw frame and tangs with six grooves so there are always a few exceptions.

Bill

 

[BigBill]

Did someone say nickel?? Nickel finish rocks. It's almost gone forever.

 

[model3sw]

Jack...correction made. I have all the types but Type 9. There are only five 5-screw 44 Magnums with an original nickel finish currently known, two Type 4 revolvers, and less than forty Type 5 revolvers.

Bill

Bill, do you have an approximate production quantity of Type 2 (4 screw, no model number) in nickel ? Any chance you have a count on how many of 4", nickel ? Thanks, Sal

 

[Laketime]

I still have a set of Rosewood presentation stocks that were on a early 1970's 29-2 with a 6.5 inch barrel that I use to own.Would that gun have been ordered with those stocks,or most likely from another gun that the original owner swapped from ?

 

[Doc44]

Sal...less than 700 with a 6 1/2-inch barrel and less than 400 with a 4-inch barrel.

Laketime...assuming the stocks are smooth, they are most likely replacements for the originals that were checked and made of Goncalo alves.

Bill

 

[MrG5122]

... Tangs with ten grooves did appear around serial number S166500 in mid-1956...

Bill

I have # S166358. It has six grooves. Could it have possibly shipped in 1956? I do plan to letter it.

 

[Doc44]

Many 44 Magnums in the S166000 range shipped in 1956.

Bill

 

[model3sw]

Bill,

Your research and the accumulation of data, factual references, and individual examination of individual serial numbers (and serial number ranges) of each gun by either physical examination or photographic examination on the .44 Magnum are a major accomplishment and tribute to your dedication.

We all would still be ignorant of the pearls of wisdom and research you've amassed had you chosen not to share that research.

Not many realize nor can appreciate the thousands of hours you have likely invested, over the many years, since you first began collecting data on the .44 Magnums.

Thank you for always being so pleasant and willing to share your research. It is genuinely appreciated.

Respectfully, Sal