.44 Special Hand Ejector, 2nd Model, with Ropers, yet again...

[82ndpara]

If I've done my limited research, this appears to be a .44 Special Hand Ejector, 2nd Model (?), Ser. No. 21,826, with a
lanyard loop, military inspection mark on yoke cut out "Probably originally for the 1917 model" (SCSW) and appears to have the target barrel on standard frame.

Check out the side by side photo of the Ropers, what do you make of the pattern? Did I read somewhere that they were "ambidextrous" models?

More photos to follow....

Cheers,
82ndpara

 

[82ndpara]

More photos.... rear sight groove looks milled out for the target front sight...

 

[82ndpara]

Another batch of photos...

 

[82ndpara]

Last batch....

 

[S&W ucla]

My guess is that's a RH set of grips. If you look at them from behind the palm swell is on the right hand side and the left looks sort of flat. If they were ambi grips they would have palm swell on both sides as well as finger grooves. Yours just has groove on right. REALLY nice outfit you have there!

 

[82ndpara]

Interesting, I should have taken a photo of the stocks, mounted, from behind....
While looking at the side by side photo, after thinking about it, the right stock panel looks like it might have a slight thumbrest, perhaps making it a left hand set of stocks....?

 

[Muley Gil]

Interesting, I should have taken a photo of the stocks, mounted, from behind....
While looking at the side by side photo, after thinking about it, the right stock panel looks like it might have a slight thumbrest, perhaps making it a left hand set of stocks....?

I think you're right.

That's not a standard hammer for the 2nd model. It is grooved like the early 1917 and RM hammers.

I think the rear sight was modified with a file.

 

[82ndpara]

I think you're right.

That's not a standard hammer for the 2nd model. It is grooved like the early 1917 and RM hammers.

I think the rear sight was modified with a file.

Thanks for the info on the hammer, I was wondering about that, I hadn't seen one like it before, or in the SCSW.

 

[tennexplorer]

The front sight base looks like the factory target front sight base from the side. Can't say for sure without seeing it closeup from the top. I would recommend lettering this gun, since the serial numbers match and there do not appear to be rework marks. i respectfully disagree about the rear sight notch. I thin it looks milled.

 

[lebomm]

I agree that those stocks are southpaw, not RH or ambi. And yes, the rear sight is milled.

JMHO,
Larry

 

[red9]

Definitely letter that one. The target model is scarce; a factory target front/fixed rear would be WAY scarcer. I know that that combo does exist in K-frames, never seen it in an N. Either way, it's beautiful.

Bob

 

[S&W ucla]

They called that combination a "half target". I want to see a picture of the mounted Ropers from behind to solve the grip question. Curiosity, bad habit of mine!

 

[Hondo44]

82ndpara,
That is indeed a very interesting and unique 44 2nd Model.

The hammer is from a 357 Registered Mag. Although the concentric circles first appeared on the very early 1917s up to the 15000 to 20000 range, the checkering pattern on the top of the hammer was not known until the 1935 RMs. Of course it could be custom checkering but it sure looks similar to the standard RM hammer which also had the concentric circles on standard hammers, but not all humpback hammers. The top of yours is not entirely checkered however does look like these standard RM hammers:

I suspect the Roper grips have had the left side thumbrest removed. The non-thumbrest Ropers I've observed are symmetrical on both sides:

 

[82ndpara]

Here are a few more photos to help....
Thanks for the comments!

82ndpara

 

[-db-]

The stocks are for a northpaw (RH shooter). That is not a thumbrest on the right side but a scallop shaped for the trigger finger. Note how, with a high hold, it guides the finger directly to the trigger.

 

[82ndpara]

I think you're on it, it feels comfortable in the right hand... and i see what you mean regarding the trigger finger....

 

[Hondo44]

The stocks are for a northpaw (RH shooter). That is not a thumbrest on the right side but a scallop shaped for the trigger finger. Note how, with a high hold, it guides the finger directly to the trigger.

Yes clearly made for a 'northpaw'. But the scallop for the trigger finger is typically only present on grips with the thumbrest on the opposite side.

 

[Barrocky]

They used to have a left hand thumb rest. The profile of the right panel is pretty common to Ropers with a thumb rest. I've always called that the finger shelf.

 

[S&W ucla]

Also note the right side palmswell and the flatter left side as I mentioned earlier. I have a set of ambi Ropers that have the same finger groove as above on both sides. They also have a slight palmswell on BOTH sides. The finger groove is better for the trigger finger but it works ok on the thumb side as a rest on my grips.

 

[skilled]

Sweet Ropers !