Any info appreciated .44 magnum

[thompjp4373]

I just purchased this from an estate and am not really sure what I have. It looks like what I see as a pre model 29 serial number starting with 180xxx. I am probably going to sell it at some point but am very confused as it does not have model 29 anywhere on it. Any help is greatly appreciated…. Thanks, John

 

[DWalt]

Mod # started high S183000 range. Before that they were just .44 Magnums.

 

[DARE]

If your gun does not have Mod 29 on the yoke, it is probably a pre- 29. The Blue Book says Mod 29 began with SN S172250 approx. Pretty sure if you have an early gun you should have an S prefix to the number. The box in your picture does not look like an early box. Sure some folks will be along with better info than I have. The experts do not think very highly of the Blue Book.

 

[weatherby]

Hi and Welcome John.
Very nice 44 magnum.
It is quite valuable.
There are a few things off.
One would be the stocks/grips.
They should be what many refer to as cokes.
Another I think would be the sat/screwdriver
SAT= sight adjustment tool.

 

[thompjp4373]

I'm sorry the serial number does start with an S180xxx. I don't know but from what I saw elsewhere these grips were supposed to be cokes?maybe I am not understanding what they really are. I knew the original owner and this gun hasn't seen the light of day since at least the 1980s lol…. I remember him talking about it. I am still confused as to what to do with it. I have fired .44s before and although they are dramatic, I never found them fun to shoot. My sons want to shoot it but since it might be valuable I have told them no for now….

 

[boykinlp]

I also have a Pre-29, 4 screw revolver that has a serial number that starts with S1801XX. It shipped on April 8, 1958, if I remember correctly. This picture shows the correct grips that should be on your gun, and the original presentation case that came with mine. Not sure if that style case would have come with your revolver though, since yours in kinda in the serial number range for a switch over in case styles.
Larry

 

[nedlate]

I don't know but from what I saw elsewhere these grips were supposed to be cokes?maybe I am not understanding what they really are.

Here is a link to stocks/grips here on the forum. The picture 15 photos down are "Coke Bottle" grips. Note how the checkering area comes further down and all the way around. The next picture shows the type that are on your revolver.
Ed

Smith & Wesson N Frame Stocks / Grips - A Reference Guide

 

[thompjp4373]

The serial number is s1807xx. Maybe there was a change on the cases….. I really don't have a clue. I should probably get the letter I see mentioned on here. Would it document all this stuff I wonder?

 

[DWalt]

If your gun does not have Mod 29 on the yoke, it is probably a pre- 29. The Blue Book says Mod 29 began with SN S172250 approx.

The upper sideplate screw was eliminated around S172000 in 1956. There are many N-frames made after that which are pre-model numbered specimens.

 

[DWalt]

I'm sorry the serial number does start with an S180xxx. I don't know but from what I saw elsewhere these grips were supposed to be cokes?maybe I am not understanding what they really are.

Relieved N-frame "Coke bottle Target" stocks with Black washer were specific to .44 Magnum thru the 29-2 models.

 

[thompjp4373]

Thank you for the information. I see the differences now

 

[thompjp4373]

Thank you.

 

[rct269]

The serial number is s1807xx. Maybe there was a change on the cases….. I really don't have a clue. I should probably get the letter I see mentioned on here. Would it document all this stuff I wonder?

A letter will generally document everything YOU ASK FOR----------if and as best it (they) can. And if you ask for things that need describing, don't even try to describe them-----send pictures----some're good, more are better, and too many are just right!!!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Kurt Stropes]

Pretty sure that barrel length came in 1960 or so, could not guess why the frame is not marked, as it would be a no dash model 29?

 

[hibbs]

The early 8 3/8" .44 Mag's came in clamshell wood presentation cases, as shown. The sat. should be a 8 or 9 band knurled AL handle/ straight black shaft. I believe the 8 3/8" .44 was first offered in late 1958.

Richard

 

[SVT28]

Nice 44 magnum OP. You might be in the same boat as me, where a prior owner sent your pre 29 in for a barrel swap. Here's my 5 screw that was sent back to the factory for its 8 3/8" barrel swap. It was for an Alaska State Patrolman

Edit: Mine also has its original Coke stocks for reference

SVT28

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[B.Thomas]

WOW!!!
Very impressive and beautiful pistol.

 

[thompjp4373]

So I get these letters from Smith and Wesson? I couldn't find anything on their site. My Colt was so much easier to get the birthday of.

 

[B.Thomas]

Here ya go.

Firearm History Request | Smith & Wesson

 

[dsf]

I always look behind the presentation box inserts. Never know what you'll find there.

 

[thompjp4373]

I will check.good idea!

 

[Truckman]

I always look behind the presentation box inserts. Never know what you'll find there.

Indeed...Recently I found the newspaper ad that a previous caretaker answered to buy his (now mine) nickeled, cased 8 3/8" Model 57!......Ben

 

[jcelect]

Clam Shell liners

I always look behind the presentation box inserts. Never know what you'll find there.

Do Not try to remove your liners! They are glued in, and it is very easy to break the Styrofoam when trying to pry the liners out. The 8 3/8" case was the first production Mahogany case made! The 8 3/8" 44 Mag was introduced in 1959, #S180386 went to the sales dept. on 7 Nov 1958 for demonstration purposes, and the case being used at that time was the Black(very dark blue) presentation case for the 4" & 6 1/2" guns. A transition 8 3/8" Mahogany case was used for the first production guns. It used the style liner from the Black. In a short time period, the Styrofoam "clam shell" style liners were introduced.
jcelect

 

[22hipower]

The upper sideplate screw was eliminated around S172000 in 1956. There are many N-frames made after that which are pre-model numbered specimens.

But I wonder how many is "many" of these four screw non model numbered guns? Four screws started sometime in 1956 and model number stamping began in 1957. So less than a year of production. Are there more, or fewer, of these than five screw guns? Not that it matters I guess but I think I've actually seen more five screw pre-29s than four screw.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Doc44]

The directive to delete the upper side plate screw for N-frame revolvers was issued in September 1956 and 44 Magnums with a 4-screw frame and no model number first appeared in February 1957 at approximately serial number S167500. During the first half of 1957, 44 Magnums with a 5-screw frame and 4-screw frame were shipped by the company. Stamping of MOD-29 in the yoke cut began at approximately serial number S183900 (late 1958) so there are approximately 16,400 serial numbers for all N-frame models that could have a 4-screw frame and no model number. If the Model 29 comprised twenty percent (a guess on my part) of the revolvers manufactured, then approximately 3200 44 Magnums with a 4-screw frame and no model number may have been made by S&W. This is just over half the number shipped with a 5-screw frame and no model number.

No 44 Magnum with an original 8 3/8-inch barrel and a 5-screw frame is known to exist.

The first clamshell case was introduced in the spring of 1960. 44 Magnums with the long barrel were shipped in late 1958 and in 1959 in a mahogany case with a blue satin lining like that used for the dark blue/black presentation cases.

Bill

 

[Chuck24]

So is it possible to have a pre 29 with original 8 3/8 barrel?

 

[THE PILGRIM]

If I correctly ran the maze, yes it's possible to have an original 4 Screw 8 3/8 inch Pre- 29. But not a 5 Screw.
So I ask Doc44, what's your best estimate on how many original 4 Screw 8 3/8 inch Pre 29s were made?

 

[thompjp4373]

From what everyone is saying is that this is something that could be valuable from a monetary perspective and a historical one. I am curious as to how someone would go about selling this without getting ripped off. Are auction sites the way to go? My LGS always lowballs anything I have brought to him making really low offers. It seems to me that this has to be listed on a broader market. So far in my life I have been more a buyer and not a seller so I am unsure on what to do with something like this. It is probably more f a piece than I need. Hopefully I am not violating any rules by asking your opinions.

Thanks for the help,
John

 

[thompjp4373]

I also want to say that this forum is great. I tried another for an old rifle I have and got nothing but hassled for asking questions….

 

[thompjp4373]

The 1960 time frame makes sense to me sinc a couple other guns I bought from this collection were from the 1960-1970 time frame.