Another .44 Special conversion

[Kansasgunner]

I saw this one on GB and it intrigued me. Pinned front sight blade, non-factory caliber marks, chamfered front edge of cylinder and Jim Stroh's shop mark on the grip frame. It had the number 8 factory stamped on the right side grip frame, so I was pretty sure it started life as a 38/44 Heavy Duty. Today Dr. Jinks has confirmed it left S&W in October 1956 as a Heavy Duty.
Not sure when Mr. Stroh (Alpha Precision) did the conversion but the late Roy Fishpaw made the sheep horn grips in 2006. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, but I anticipate it being a good one. Very happy to have found this one.

 

[Kansasgunner]

More photos of the grips, smoothed trigger and modified sight trough. I have read that Mr. Stroh used Turnbull for case coloring, strong vivid case coloring on trigger and hammer. A repair was noted on the left grip.

 

[S&W ucla]

You have a knack for finding great ones! Mr. Stroh did several jobs for me and was a master craftsman. I know he retired several years ago as his health was declining. I wish I knew an active smith as talented and nice as he was.

 

[gdogs]

You paid a pretty penny for it, but the grips alone make it worth it in my opinion. Fishpaw grips don't show up very often, much less in sheep horn.

 

[loc n load]

Very nice combo. I have no doubts that it will be a shooter.

 

[moosedog]

I saw that one. You did very well. Top quality piece right there.

 

[raljr1]

Well, now you don't need the nickel 38/44 you bought at last year's symposium, so I'll bring a case to take it home.

Very nice find

 

[LPD256]

That one is a beauty Tim and even better in the hand. Congrats on another great one. Can't wait to see it in action.

Jim

 

[quinn]

Tim: This is just waaaay toooo cooooL! Quick, wipe the drool off, sorry.

 

[Flygas]

Great gun! I'd buy ANYTHING with Fishpaw grips.

 

[Retired W4]

Great job on that one. Made me think of the HD in 357, which is a much easier conversion, I think. HP cylinder on a HD. I think that's how it was done

 

[Marshal Tom]

Tim, i like that a bunch! I love .44sp and love Roy Fishpaw sheep horn grips. I once had him make a set for a .45 Colt SA. I sold the gun with the grips on it because he told me that he fits them so precisely that they probably would not fit another gun properly. Wish I still had both the gun and the grips. I also purchased a set of S&W sheep horns that he made. I sold them because I could not get them to fit the gun I purchased them for.

 

[Green Frog]

Roy was quite the craftsman. He lived relatively close to me and over the years I had several examples of his work. My niece has a set of his wooden grips on. model 30-1 and I have a set of his ram's horn on a little Hungarian Femaru. I sure do miss seeing and talking with him.
Froggie

 

[Kansasgunner]

Finally made time to get this one to the range. Grips feel like they were made for me and Mr. Stroh certainly knows his way around a S&W. The double action on this old .44 is so smooth. I'm very happy with this one.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Marksman]

I had Jim Stroh convert a 5" M/27-2 for me several years ago, top notch work and he was a real gentleman and a pleasure to do business with.