FIRST 44 MAG WITH 4" BARREL

[lowhog]

there is a five page story by Elmer Keith in this 1958 gun digest about the development of the s&w 44 mag.It shows a picture of the first 44 mag with a 4 inch barrel ,engraved and looks to be mother of pearl grips.Shipped to or stocked by the gun reblu co.Biltmore,NC.I wonder what the value of this Jewel would be?.here is a picture of it.Lowhog

 

[mr.magnum]

as much as the wealthiest s&w fan's wallet holds.

 

[Doc44]

This 44 Magnum is part of the Elmer Keith display at Cabela's in Boise, ID. It is not actually the first 44 Magnum with a 4-inch barrel, but it is an early one and would be worth a large sum to a collector of 44 Magnums or guns associated with EMK.

Bill

 

[Art Doc]

You mean Doc44 doesn't have the 1st 4" 44 Magnum?

I would have bet a dollar on that.

 

[BUFF]

Read carefully! Doc didn't say that he didn't have the first 4 inch .44 Mag. He just said that the one in Keith's article wasn't the first!

 

[jeremyws1]

Come on, Doc44. Show us the picture.

 

[jeremyws1]

P.S. This is an interesting thread on the subject:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/142819-earliest-4-44-magnum.html

 

[29-1]

First 4 inch 44 magnum

Actually, the first 4 inch .44 Magnum was S130884 which was one of six 44 magnums, the other five being 6 1/2 inch guns, fabricated in February, 1956 and taken to the National Mid-Winter Pistol Championships in early March, 1956. The guns were placed on display during the matches and later bought by Mr. Jesse Harpe, the S&W distributor located in Tampa, FL. To date, this gun is still unaccounted for.
Chuck
It is probably one of the guns laying on the table in this picture taken at the matches.

 

[Doc44]

Before the first 4-inch can be added to a collection, it has to be found. We just learned about this gun about a year ago. Chuck and I each have one of the 6 1/2-inch guns that were taken to FL, but no luck on the 4-inch.

Bill