First year 44 magnum S130937 - LETTER HAS ARRIVED!!!

[Sprefix]

The quintessential Smith!!!

 

[mixedgrip]

Doc44, I will try to get photos posted Monday or Tuesday.

 

[DCWilson]

That is a spectacular Pre-29 with an enviable serial number! Every collector deserves to get a special gun from time to time, and this one certainly qualifies. Congratulations!

mixedgrip, I am interested in the details of your Pre-29 as well. True four-inch five-screw pre-29s are rare birds. Please check the rear face of the cylinder, the inside of the ejector shroud under the barrel, and the underside of the ejector star. The serial number from the butt of the gun should be repeated in those locations, along with the S prefix that is appropriate for serial numbers of this era.

A lot of freshly posted guns have caused me some serious envy today.

 

[mixedgrip]

I just got a magnified read on the serial number and what I though was a 0 looks like it is a 6 instead. The top of the 6 wasn't very clear to me without good light and magnification. So, it looks to be S168544. I is very clean and a five screw 4" but not as low a number as I first thought. I will try to get photos posted Monday. Sorry for the error.

 

[4-Screw]

Great story and congrats! What a beautiful .44

Did they add a bit of finish to the Cokes or is that fresh oil on there?

 

[peepaw]

I am green with envy. Congrats on a sweet piece.

 

[mixedgrip]

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View attachment 100107Here are a couple of photos of my pre 29 4" five screw.

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[Doc44]

mixedgrip....great looking 44 Magnum!!!!

Bill

 

[mixedgrip]

Thanks! This is the 5 screw I was talking about. It turned out to be S168544. The 6 looked like a 0 until very close inspection. From what I was able to tell it was made in 1958. It was the first .44 mag I ever fired and belonged to my father, who bought it new.

 

[Doc44]

mixedgrip...I would estimate your 44 Magnum was shipped in early to mid-1957. It is one of the later 44s made with a 5-screw frame.

Bill

 

[Göring's S&W]

The letter came in

Thanks for all the compliments guys. Its nice to get that special one every so often. In case anyone hasn't realized, I really would like a nice presentation case for this revolver. Based on the letter I now have, I need a black pebble grain case.

Did they add a bit of finish to the Cokes or is that fresh oil on there?

That's a little Kroil, which is what I use to protect my guns.

So I finally got the letter, and it shipped in April, pretty early still. I'm happy.

 

[Masterpiece]

I really would like a nice presentation case for this revolver. Based on the letter I now have, I need a black pebble grain case.

I'm sure Doc will most likely be along shortly to verify the Case, but for anyone looking right now, he needs an Early Style Pebble-Grain Case with the Button or Slide-Latch, not the Later Pebble-Grain Case with the Clasp Style Latch!! Just thought I'd mention it!!

By the way Jim, glad to hear you're now the Proud Owner of one of the earliest 44 Magnums S&W produced!!

 

[Göring's S&W]

Thanks for the clarification Masterpiece.

I also noticed in my letter, Roy signed it "Yours truly" instead of "Sincerely" - I guess that's a little something extra for the 44 mag guys. Sorry everyone else!

 

[Doc44]

Jim...Congratulations on owning one of the first one hundred 44 Magnums made by S&W!!!

Bill

 

[Göring's S&W]

Wow, the first 100, that is really awesome. I felt the letter added to it even before I got this confirmation. With a ship date of 4-2-56, I was happy. I was slightly worried it would be something like Feb 1957, cause you just never know. Its a beautiful gun regardless.

If anyone has a black pebble grain case type that masterpiece mentions, I am interested, so PM me.

 

[Sprefix]

The first 100!! It just gets better.............So many fine Smiths', but that sleek beauty gets my blood going. WOW!!

 

[Frank237]

Absolutely beautiful gun and a piece of early .44 magnum History too.

FN in MT

 

[kennyb]

excellent...thanks for sharing!

 

[2quads]

Fabulous find, congratulations.

 

[29-1]

Jim, you did great. April 56 44 magnums are few and far between.
Regards
Chuck