5-Screw 44-Magnum - what do I have?

pre64win said:
I was able to find a few of the tools, including 2 cleaning rods, but no screwdriver. Here's a photo of the inside of the box.

80630670_10219972002991624_4084405278773084160_n.jpg


I am guessing the screwdrivers are pretty hard to come by?
Click to expand...

You can find one on eBay, not every day but they do show up. You want the 8 ridge aluminum one shown in my picture above I think. There's one for sale there now for $69.99 plus shipping which is about as inexpensive as you're likely to find. And while it is one (screwdriver) folks here call it a SAT (sight adjustment tool).

Jeff
SWCA #1457
 
Last edited:
Welcome to the forum from the Eastside. That is a heck of an entrance, nice tease...first the Pre-29 4" w/Cokes, then the black box presentation case and then an interior shot with tools. Nice score and good for you. Need I say Merry Christmas?
 
That is beautiful.Mine is within 65 digits of yours and letters to have shipped in Nov 1956. But that means nothing in S&W land. In order to know it is a 1st year gun you will have to get a letter. Since you are not a S&W collector you will likely want to sell that for quite a windfall. The $100 letter will be well worth it in a sale for authenticity, especially on an auction site. If it letters to 1956 (it likely will because very very few 5 screw 4" guns were shipped in 1957.) But a few were.
 
Honestly, it really does feel a bit embarrassing to come here as a non-S&W collector without a clue and to find out I stumbled by accident into something so desirable.
Click to expand...

Pre64Win

I suppose you could have found a Triple Lock or a Registered Magnum. Other than that a 5 screw .44 Magnum is about as good as it gets.

I am certain several people here will be willing to make you reasonable offers should you want to part with it. If you are interested in finding out about local market conditions I would strongly recommend taking it over to DJ's (next to the Bothell Post Office on Beardslee Blvd.) in the next few days. Ask Bruce what he would recommend as a consignment price.
 
Suburbanite said:
Pre64Win

I suppose you could have found a Triple Lock or a Registered Magnum. Other than that a 5 screw .44 Magnum is about as good as it gets.

I am certain several people here will be willing to make you reasonable offers should you want to part with it. If you are interested in finding out about local market conditions I would strongly recommend taking it over to DJ's (next to the Bothell Post Office on Beardslee Blvd.) in the next few days. Ask Bruce what he would recommend as a consignment price.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. I know Bruce well and have found him a good and honest source of info before. I definitely will being him in and show it to him.
 
pre64win said:
Thanks for that. I know Bruce well and have found him a good and honest source of info before. I definitely will being him in and show it to him.
Click to expand...

Cool. If you would afterwards, come back and let us know what his local market evaluation of it is. I think that would be quite interesting.
 
I wouldn't sell that for awhile. You may find it grows on you. You have probably made a singular purchase which you will never duplicate.

Besides, you live in WA, well known as Bigfoot habitat. Wear that in the woods when a Model 70 rifle would be too inconvenient. Just get a good lined holster to avoid further blue wear like that at the muzzle.

Better yet, buy a stainless M-629. It's wet up there until you reach the dry eastern part of the state. Isn't that where the famous wineries are? Ch.Ste.Michelle, Columbia Crest, etc.? (Woodinville.)

Please post some of your astounding photos of your Model 70's in the Other Makes forum here. I'm impressed by CZ and Sako rifles, but the M-70 is my favorite.
 
Last edited:
I really can't thank all of you enough. Thanks for the warm welcome and thanks for all the really helpful information.

@mbliss57 - Thank you! For now, the pistol is not for sale. I plan to order the factory letter and learn whatever I can about its history. I also intend to complete the set by finding the missing sight tool. That will give me time to learn more about it and also to figure out its true value. And as Texas Star suggested - this will give the S&W time to grow on me so I will end up collecting more than just Winchesters! :D

@Kinman - I am so sorry. I agree, it was the most annoying way I possibly could have done it, but please know it was complete and genuine cluelessness on my part! :o

@Peak53 - thank you! I have not yet cleaned the pistol. But at some point I will and (like you) I have found Kroil a fantastic cleaner for tough stains on bluing. I will definitely take your advice and will give it a try on the stains.

@Texas Star - Yes, we live in wine country. Our town of Woodinville has a population of less than 15,000 and more than 130 wineries!

@Suburbanite & @BC38 - I definitely will come back after talking with Bruce and will let you know what he feels the value is.

Again, thank you all for the nice welcome and the great information. You all know far better than I do that these old S&W pistols are not easy to figure out. You really did me a solid favor with your knowledge and advice.

Merry Christmas to you all,

Justin
 
Welcome to the forum, from another Puget Sound dweller.

Usually just lurk in this part of the forum, but had to congratulate you on the accidental acquisition of a superb pistol!

BruceB
(not the Bruce mentioned in the thread)
 
Wanna double your money?? :D

Someday I hope to find something like this, when I'm not really looking for it! ;)
 
I think to complete the experience you should shoot it a couple times! It's been shot, you're not going to hurt it and it's a blast! (pun intended):D
 
If you can wait until April when I return North, I have a 29-2 I purchased from "Bruce" and I'd let you shoot it @ Kenmore with either specials or magnums.....Notime2
 
Welcome to the Forum. Tickled pink that you found us.

Congratulations on the score of the century!

May this be the start of a "New" S & W Collection to go with your Winchesters.

WR
 
Here are 2 of my 5 screw 44 magnums. 6.5" barrel and 4" barrels.
6.5" Letters to have shipped July 1956. S/N S166xxx
4" letters to have shipped Nov 6 1956 S/N S 156xxx
I also just had a 4 screw 44 magnum s/n S170xxx shipped June 1957

As you can see s/n is no indicator of when they actually shipped.




 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
New to me gun. Need help.
2
Replies
29
Views
1K
autogun1
A
F
More Information on Victory Revolver
Replies
6
Views
275
robertrwalsh
robertrwalsh
wlw-19958
What Would You Do?
Replies
11
Views
865
mm93
mm93
C
Decision on What SW 44 Magnum to Buy
2
Replies
38
Views
2K
WardenRoss
WardenRoss
L
Serial number look up for a 15-2
Replies
7
Views
952
StrawHat
StrawHat

Latest posts

Back
Top