In March, 1956, The American Rifleman ran MG Julian Hatcher's T&E on the new S&W .44 Magnum announced just 2 months earlier. One of the readers of that article was Jim Coppridge, M.D. Jim immediately placed an order for one of the new .44 Magnums with Evaluator's LTD in Quantico, VA which was one of S&W's major east coast distributors at the time and of which Dr.Coppridge was a regular customer. Dr. Coppridge wanted his .44 Magnum in a 5" barrel length, however, and it took the factory a full 18 months to finally deliver one of the first 5" .44 Magnums produced. S172846 is pictured below along with its story in the letters that were exchanged between Jim, Evaluator's and S&W. I was fortunate enough several years ago to obtain this revolver from Dr. Coppridge along with a wealth of its original provenance. I hope that some of you folks will enjoy reading through these letters and as I did, learn a little more about the process of special ordering a revolver from S&W back in the 1950s. It obviously wasn't as easy as one might think. Since acquiring this gun, I have learned that the factory production records lists a 5 inch .44 Magnum having been built and sold on June 30th, 1956, but that revolver has never turned up nor do we know its serial number. Yet another grail gun to be found
Happy Easter
Chuck
<span class="ev_code_RED">***</span>Since the above post, I have been informed by Roy Jinks at S&W that after a more detailed search of the factory records concerning S172846, it has been determined that this revolver is in fact, the first 5" .44 Magnum manufactured and that the mystery 5" gun in the manufacturing records recorded as being produced and sold on 30 June, 1956 is the one and the same gun as in this post. I will be receiving a new letter stating such. This news made my day!! <span class="ev_code_RED">***</span>
The earliest 5" revolvers were contained in the standard 6 1/2 inch dark blue cases.
This photo shows the faint outline of the cutout for the end of a regular 6 1/2" barrel.
Dr. Coppridge put Sanderson Target stocks on all of his handguns and his new .44 Magnum got the same treatment. The finger grooves are not common on Sanderson stocks.
Like many shooters of that day, Coppridge was a disciple of Keith and his hotter .44 Special load. Here's an early letter from Keith to Coppridge giving a preview of things to come in .44 Caliber
Coppridge's letter to Evaluator's ordering his .44 Magnum. His was not the first 5" built, but it was most probably the first one ordered.
Excerpt of the March, 1956 American Rifleman article that led to Dr. Coppridge's placing his order with Evaluator's for one of the new .44 Magnums.
Literature/order blank and business card sent to Dr. Coppridge to place his order.
Letter from Evaluator's giving Coppridge an update, but it also gives insight on the beginning shipments of the 4 inch pre-29.
A not so plesant letter however from Fred Miller at S&W. He must have been quite a character.
Coppridge is persistent
Finally!
Invoice from Evaluator's
Factory Letter
Happy Easter
Chuck
<span class="ev_code_RED">***</span>Since the above post, I have been informed by Roy Jinks at S&W that after a more detailed search of the factory records concerning S172846, it has been determined that this revolver is in fact, the first 5" .44 Magnum manufactured and that the mystery 5" gun in the manufacturing records recorded as being produced and sold on 30 June, 1956 is the one and the same gun as in this post. I will be receiving a new letter stating such. This news made my day!! <span class="ev_code_RED">***</span>
The earliest 5" revolvers were contained in the standard 6 1/2 inch dark blue cases.
This photo shows the faint outline of the cutout for the end of a regular 6 1/2" barrel.
Dr. Coppridge put Sanderson Target stocks on all of his handguns and his new .44 Magnum got the same treatment. The finger grooves are not common on Sanderson stocks.
Like many shooters of that day, Coppridge was a disciple of Keith and his hotter .44 Special load. Here's an early letter from Keith to Coppridge giving a preview of things to come in .44 Caliber
Coppridge's letter to Evaluator's ordering his .44 Magnum. His was not the first 5" built, but it was most probably the first one ordered.
Excerpt of the March, 1956 American Rifleman article that led to Dr. Coppridge's placing his order with Evaluator's for one of the new .44 Magnums.
Literature/order blank and business card sent to Dr. Coppridge to place his order.
Letter from Evaluator's giving Coppridge an update, but it also gives insight on the beginning shipments of the 4 inch pre-29.
A not so plesant letter however from Fred Miller at S&W. He must have been quite a character.
Coppridge is persistent
Finally!
Invoice from Evaluator's
Factory Letter
