FOLLOW-UP: S&W HE 4th Model 44 Target Model of 1950 revolver with 4” barrel

[Say When!]

Howdy Smith & Wesson Forum Members

Subject: Follow-up on my recently purchased (on GB for $2,219.12) S&W HE 4th Model 44 Target Model of 1950 revolver with 4-inch barrel.

Reference: “Am I “THE VILLAGE IDIOT” ...again?!”

As I previously stated:

The Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation (S&WHF) researched my S&W Hand Ejector 4th Model 44 Target Model of 1950 revolver with 4-inch barrel Serial#S98596 and confirmed the following:

• Shipped To: Arthur Cook Supply Corp. in Laurel, MD
• Ship Date: October 25, 1955
• Description: .44 Target Blue 4”

According to “Doc44”: Only 411 S&W Hand Ejector 4th Model 44 Target Model of 1950 revolvers with 4-inch barrels were manufactured

Attached are CLEARER pictures of this scarce revolver

Question:

Inside the barrel lug that protects the extractor is the serial number and the letters:

• “T” upright
• “R” sideways

Can any of y’all explain the meaning of these letters?

Thank you in advance for your insights.

Kind regards,
“Say When!”

 

[Shotguncoach]

The T and the R are a mystery to me. I was expecting to see a capital B (for Blue) and there is one above the number 4 on the left side of the grip frame. I learned in another thread that the number 4 indicates that the frame was made as a .44 frame. I have a .38/44 HD that was converted to .44 Special that has a '3' in that spot.

Perhaps the R is a different way of indicating a Refinish? I thought that was done with arrows (like this: <>) but I may be confusing the "factory refinish" and "factory repair or rework" stamps. It does appear to me that your gun has been refinished based on the washed out logo and the "softness" of the frame edges around the trigger guard.

No matter what the stamps mean, you have a cool gun that will make you smile every time you shoot it. Hang on to that one and don't let Ben talk you out of it. <big smile>

 

[desi2358]

I would suspect the T and R are factory inspectors marks.

 

[Muley Gil]

The T and the R are a mystery to me. I was expecting to see a capital B (for Blue) and there is one above the number 4 on the left side of the grip frame. I learned in another thread that the number 4 indicates that the frame was made as a .44 frame. I have a .38/44 HD that was converted to .44 Special that has a '3' in that spot.

Perhaps the R is a different way of indicating a Refinish? I thought that was done with arrows (like this: <>) but I may be confusing the "factory refinish" and "factory repair or rework" stamps. It does appear to me that your gun has been refinished based on the washed out logo and the "softness" of the frame edges around the trigger guard.

No matter what the stamps mean, you have a cool gun that will make you smile every time you shoot it. Hang on to that one and don't let Ben talk you out of it. <big smile>

As far as I know, the "B" prefix to the barrel serial number, denoting a blue finish, ended around WW II.

 

[Hondo44]

I would suspect the T and R are factory inspectors marks.

Inspection marks are found in the yoke cut of the frame by the assembly number and on the grip frame, not in the extractor rod housing under the barrel.

 

[Hondo44]

If you’re a S&W member I would post in the new member forum or email a photo to Roy Jinks and ask him.

 

[lawman445]

I have some notes I printed off and saved from a 2017 thread where someone quoted Roy Jinks that an "R" stamp on a barrel can mean that a barrel was removed and repaired during manufacturing and that it was done to show that the barrel needed to be returned to the hard fitting department to be re-installed.

I would guess the 4" length was a special order and that they had to pull the barrel from a standard production 6 1/2 incher to cut down and put the appropriately positioned markings on it. I couldn`t find anything in my notes about a "T" stamp unfortunately.

 

[Say When!]

I have some notes I printed off and saved from a 2017 thread where someone quoted Roy Jinks that an "R" stamp on a barrel can mean that a barrel was removed and repaired during manufacturing and that it was done to show that the barrel needed to be returned to the hard fitting department to be re-installed.

I would guess the 4" length was a special order and that they had to pull the barrel from a standard production 6 1/2 incher to cut down and put the appropriately positioned markings on it. I couldn`t find anything in my notes about a "T" stamp unfortunately.

Thank you, “lawman445”!