Early 44 Magnum

[Doc44]

This 44 Magnum, S130853, was taken by Fred Miller to the Mid-Winter Matches in Tampa, Florida in 1956 as part of S&W's factory display (along with 44 Magnums, S147229, S130741, S160041, S130979, and S130884, and several .357 Combat Magnums). The display was sold to Jesse E. Harpe in Tampa after the matches.

The first photo shows the 44 Magnum, the second photo shows the 44 Magnum in its presentation case, the third photo shows the presentation case. Click on each photo for a better look.

Bill

 

[quinn]

Very, very nice, Bill.

 

[StrawHat]

You have the nicest things and are willing to share with the rest of us.

Thank you!

Kevin

 

[series guy]

Just stunning. As much a work of art as a gun.

 

[RKmesa]

Wonderful package. Thanks for sharing!

 

[FLJoe]

Absolutely beautiful.

 

[DGNY]

Thank you once again for sharing such an exemplar of design, manufacturing and preservation with its original accessory case, highlighted via your notably impeccable photography

 

[Keith Brown]

That's a beauty ! Nice to see such a clean set of Coke's, looks like they were minted yesterday!

 

[ameridaddy]

Marvelous gun and pictures!
How do you keep the blue lining from rotting?

 

[KSK]

Great gun. Is the muzzle on this one polished and bright blued?

 

[Valmet]

Absolutely awesome- I love pre-model N-frames.

 

[Doc44]

Karl...the muzzle is dull like the top strap. Keith, you and I discussed early coke bottle stocks in Concord. These are the "light" ones I was referring to.

Bill

 

[Green Frog]

Excellent find. Just for the record, are you saying Jesse E. Harpe bought this display gun and its case or the whole display? Is there any record of where the other three 44 Magnums went so we hangers-on might have the opportunity to encounter one of them?
Also, do you have records as to whether the shooters were allowed to actually shoot these display guns (since it was a shooting event) or were they strictly there for display?

 

[Doc44]

Green Frog...Jesse Harpe bought the entire display. The Magnums were for display only as far as I know. S130741 was also in my collection and in the collection of another well known collector for a time, but I don't know where it is now. I don't know about the others. S130884 has a 4-inch barrel and is the first one made by S&W (it would be a great find for a collector of this model).

Bill

 

[boykinlp]

Jesse Harpe bought the entire display.
Bill

Bill, is there any record what the entire display cost Mr. Harpe? I would guess it would be an amount that we, today, would love to be able to duplicate.
Larry

 

[Doc44]

Larry...The six 44 Magnums, seven Combat Magnums, one .22 Combat Masterpiece, and three Bodyguards, with excise tax, were invoiced to Mr. Harpe at $1,176.55. He could deduct 2% for a cash payment in 10 days.

Bill

 

[raljr1]

Larry...The six 44 Magnums, seven Combat Magnums, one .22 Combat Masterpiece, and three Bodyguards, with excise tax, were invoiced to Mr. Harpe at $1,176.55. He could deduct 2% for a cash payment in 10 days.



Bill

Equivalent to about $13,000 today...

Sent from my SM-A136U using Tapatalk

 

[22hipower]

Equivalent to about $13,000 today...

Sent from my SM-A136U using Tapatalk

Well, still sounds like a bargain. I'll take them.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[6string]

For those unfamiliar with the match, the Mid-Winter Florida match was widely considered the winter season equivalent to the Camp Perry National match, except for the national title distinction.

I can only imagine the reactions to the 44 Magnum by all those target shooters. I'd love to have seen someone put a 44 Magnum through its paces on the National Match course.
The Rapid Fire string would've been something to see (or shoot!)

 

[Retired W4]

That one is absolutely beautiful, and what a history. My one and only "pre 29" is so close to it (in serial number only), S130881. A good old shooter grade that must have spent it's entire life in the Atlanta area. Shipped to Beck & Greg Hardware June 1956.

Thanks for posting the photos of your fine handgun.