Help ID this .44 special 4" S&W

[zanemoseley]

My step father did some trading for this pistol a while back, I don't see any model markings but found a couple strings of numbers behind the crane. Any ideas of the model, age and approximate value. I think it's had some action work, sight work and has target grips.

 

[murphydog]

This is a .44 Hand Ejector from late 1954 to early 1955. It is unusual with the Target rear sight and downright rare if it left the factory with a 4" barrel. A close-up photo of the front sight base and muzzle would help here.

The only way to confirm it is original is a letter of authenticity:

Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation - Letter Process - Insuring that the rich history of Smith & Wesson will continue for generations to come

Others may have a a similar gun with a nearby SN and more information. Enjoy!

 

[Camster]

Nice gun.I think that's the serial number in the lug recess.The other number behind the crane is just a factory assembly number.To confirm the serial number,remove the grips and give us the number from the bottom of the grip frame.

 

[zanemoseley]

It's funny you mention the 4" being rare, when I was looking at it I thought something was off about the crown, almost a total lack of a crown. That would make more sense if it were 6" and had been shortened to 4". Here's a picture of the crown & muzzle.

 

[BC38]

Nice HE44. I have one nearly identical to it with a serial number just 8000 higher than yours. The lack of crown is the telltail that it has been cut down - just like mine - though mine has been re-crowned after being cut to 4-1/2" long, and has a slightly different front sight blade. The finish on yours is in a lot better shape than mine - but on the other hand, mine came with a set of Cokes.

 

[murphydog]

Yes, definitely not a factory crown job. A skilled gunsmith could make it look like factory work, and personally I would do this if it does not shoot accurately. A nice looking gun in any case, enjoy!

 

[zanemoseley]

Actually we just measured and it's closer to 4.5", I was just assuming it was 4"

 

[les.b]

Yes, definitely not a factory crown job. A skilled gunsmith could make it look like factory work, and personally I would do this if it does not shoot accurately. A nice looking gun in any case, enjoy!

Just a suggestion, while they are fixing the crown, I would have them remove the serrations from under the front sight base, and reinstall it, which would delete another tell tale sign that it has been modified. Very nice looking gun, though, and as I am partial to the four inch barrel, I really like it!!

Best Regards, Les

 

[zanemoseley]

So what would you ballpark the value at?

 

[BC38]

I bought mine in the latter half of 2015 for $675 and felt like I got a bargain. I sold the Cokes for $500 on Gun Broker less than 6 months later. Of course at that point I really felt like I had about stolen the revolver Probably the best deal I'll ever get on one.

I'd say $700 or maybe even a little more would be a very reasonable price for yours, based on just the photos, and assuming everything about it is as good as the pictures.

 

[Texas Star]

Looks basically like a M-1950 Target .44. What's this HE stuff? It's not a .44 Military. Both of those and all Smiths made for many years by then were Hand Ejectors.


The barrel length wasn't offered, but we established that it's a cut-down barrel. But why any surprise about the rear sight? Those were std. on the M-1950 Target .44 Special.


I could easily be missing something here. ??


I suggest removing the trigger shoe. See if it's already rusted underneath. I hate trigger shoes.


This gun is odd. It had a longer barrel, suitable for target work, and has those bulky Herrett (?) stocks and a trigger shoe, but the barrel was shortened to make it a handier holster gun.


You didn't ask, but if it was mine, I'd pull the trigger shoe and those bulky grips and put on Magna stocks, with a Tyler adaptor if need be or get a set of Walter Roper style grips from Keith Brown or Herrett. Or, just install the small size of old two-piece Pachmayr Presentation grips and find a good holster and make that a general purpose sidearm for the outdoors. Is Open Carry an option where you live, for hunters, anglers, etc.? If not, there are ways to conceal a big N-frame gun.


Yes, I'd crown the barrel IF you have access to a really GOOD gunsmith.


You probably know that most factory .44 Spcl. ammo is puny, but I think Buffalo Bore makes a hot load. Or, do you handload?


Overall, this (my suggestions) reminds me of the sort of gun project that Skeeter Skelton used to write about in, Shooting Times.


BTW, don't call the yoke the crane. Did you sneak in here from the Colt board? Ruger may call that part the crane, too.

 

[BC38]

I didn't even notice that yours had a trigger shoe on it zanemoseley.
Mine does too! Same barrel length, similar front sight, same trigger shoe. One might almost think they were modified by the same person.
Or at least modified for the same use.
Was there some kind of competition back in the late 50's that a 4-1/2" 44 special with a trigger shoe would be particularly well-suited for?

 

[Texas Star]

I didn't even notice that yours had a trigger shoe on it zanemoseley.
Mine does too! Same barrel length, similar front sight, same trigger shoe. One might almost think they were modified by the same person.
Or at least modified for the same use.
Was there some kind of competition back in the late 50's that a 4-1/2" 44 special with a trigger shoe would be particularly well-suited for?

I think that trigger shoe and stocks are newer than that, but conform to the basic classic style of bullseye shooting that was the only norm in formal competition before Jeff Cooper and others succeeded in popularizing "action" pistol matches that favored the Colt .45 auto. Cops had the Practical Pistol Course devised by the FBI, but only a few in that sport would have had big target stocks or a trigger shoe.


That's why the S&W target revolvers normally had 6.5 inch barrels. Some 1950 .44's were custom ordered with four-inch barrels, as holster guns, and a few even had factory five-inch barrels. See Elmer Keith's, Sixguns for photos.

Many of those unusual- for- model barrel lengths were ordered by the H.H. Harris Company. I think they were located in Chicago, which shows that even that awful city at one time had redeeming social value to a handgunner! (I can't access the Smilies on this board so no grinning face here. But tickle yourself and laugh. I just made a joke. I hope...)


BTW, I think this gun will fit most holsters meant for M-27's with five-inch barrels. If not, El Paso Saddlery will probably make a custom holster.

 

[BUFF]

There were only 5,050 .44 Target Model of 1950 made, 1950 to 1966. There were 1,200 of the fixed sight .44 Hand Ejector of 1950 made. Those totals include the model number marked Model 24 and Model 21 made prior to 1966.

I think that, even with the chopped barrel, the gun in this thread would sell for more than $700 on an auction site like G.B.

That is a nice looking sixgun.

 

[LittleCooner]

Just sent you a PM

 

[Bat Guano]

"Many of those unusual- for- model barrel lengths were ordered by the H.H. Harris Company. I think they were located in Chicago, which shows that even that awful city at one time had redeeming social value to a hand gunner!"

Correct. I was in there a few times in early 1965. I remember seeing Chief Special Targets and Model 45 .22s. As if I had any spending money at the time!

 

[gkitch]

To answer your question, that is around a $650 gun to a fan of good 44 special Smiths who is a shooter.

The cut barrel and lack of factory stocks lowers the potential value of such a gun significantly as it becomes immediately uninteresting to collectors. The 44 Special has its shooters' fan club, as does the big blue N-frame which is why you could get north of $500 for such a gun.

 

[Rock LOU]

My 4 inch 1950 Target is quite nice and goes well with the 6.5 1950 target in high blue! both guns are my special additions and nowthat I finally got a 5 screw pre-27 feel like I can rest.

 

[DWalt]

From the SN stamped in the shroud, the closest I have listed is SN S1386xx which shipped in 3/1957. That would be prior to the beginning of model numbering. And I agree the original barrel has been shortened. So it's a shooter, but probably a good one. Speaking for myself, I wouldn't be tempted to buy any factory stocks. Those on it will serve well enough. Nor would I crown the barrel.

 

[les.b]

I think that he already sold it on GB. Although I know that we are always interested for academic reasons. I went over and looked when it was first listed there, but didn't follow up, and don't know whether it sold or not, or for how much.

Best Regards, Les