Help on a .44 Special please

[slwilliams67]

I recently joined this site because I'd like to find out the year this revolver was made. My dad recently passed away and I ended up owning it. I've always loved this gun. Hopefully I have all the info and pics you may need to help me with this. Thanks in advance.

Type: Hand ejector
Serial #30443
Caliber: 44 S&W Special Ctg
Barrel: 6 1/2"
Sights: Fixed

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! You have a .44 Hand Ejector 2nd model that was made in 1929; the factory tracks the age of guns by ship (sales) dates, so the "official" birthdate may differ. The hammer spur has been removed but it is a cool gun, and more so due to the family connection. Others will be along with more information.

 

[brick]

According to my research, and I could be wrong, you have a .44 Hand Ejector, 3rd Model made in approximately 1929. Hope this helps.

 

[DWalt]

30433 is within the 30000-34000 production range for 1929. The closest SN I list is 300xx which shipped in 3/29. As noted, one cannot be sure of an exact shipping date without getting a factory letter ($75). I doubt such an expenditure is warranted in your case. Your grips are from much later and are not original to the gun. Yours is a second model. The third model .44 had an extractor rod shroud under the barrel.

 

[rct269]

Tie Breaker: It for sure and certain is a 2nd Model.

While both 2nd's and 3rd's were in production/available at the same time (starting in 1926---ending in 1940------and in the same serial number series), the 2nd Model lacks the ejector rod housing----and you can usually spot that from-------------------afar---in profile at least.

Ralph Tremaine

As an aside, mine (#58669) was shipped May 14, 1940; and "This shipment contained 39 units of this model in the target configuration and they were billed at at $17.00 each."--------which is clearly a DEEP discount close-out price (covering production cost by only a few dollars at best)---and was no doubt cause for great celebration as the last of these VERY slow movers.

 

[gmborkovic]

A well loved old heirloom from Dad. A real treasure. Just oil it with a
cotton rag. No steel wool, pls.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

Continue to love it and shoot the hell out of it . You will only love it more. Mine would be the one I would keep if forced to sell all but one.

Eddie

 

[29aholic]

It appears it also shipped as a nickel gun originally. If I am not mistaken if it had been a blue gun there would have been a "B" in the serial number area on the bottom of the barrel. This seems to hold true for Pre-War guns which was changed post war and nickel guns had an "N" there and blue guns were not marked.

 

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the forum.

I not only agree with 29aholic about it originally being produced with the nickel finish, but it also appears to still be original and never refinished.
Therefore, it retains its maximum value for its original condition, (except for hammer spur of course).

That's a wonderful family heirloom from your dad to be passed down thru generations.

Shoot and enjoy it.

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

Welcome! You have a .44 Hand Ejector 2nd model that was made in 1929; the factory tracks the age of guns by ship (sales) dates, so the "official" birthdate may differ. The hammer spur has been removed but it is a cool gun, and more so due to the family connection. Others will be along with more information.

This is absolutely right and somewhat strange. I lettered a Triple Lock recently serial #13XX. I always figured it was a first year production gun with a 4 digit serial number. I guess I could still be right but the letter says it was shipped in 1912. It was an orphan at the Factory for 4 years before anybody called for it...I guess??

 

[Hondo44]

This is absolutely right and somewhat strange. I lettered a Triple Lock recently serial #13XX. I always figured it was a first year production gun with a 4 digit serial number. I guess I could still be right but the letter says it was shipped in 1912. It was an orphan at the Factory for 4 years before anybody called for it...I guess??

Very common, S&W made no effort to produce or ship in serial # order, only generally, and occasionally in some cases not even that.

Does your TL have the stocks with gold recessed medallions of the post 1910 period, or no medallions?

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

Meds...Sorry, I had to go down and feed the fish, just got back.

 

[Muley Gil]

According to my research, and I could be wrong, you have a .44 Hand Ejector, 3rd Model made in approximately 1929. Hope this helps.

Second models and third models were sold concurrently from 1927 to 1939 or 1940.

 

[slwilliams67]

Sorry about the delay in responding, but thank you all for your input. It's nice to know a bit about this gun, which was previously a mystery to me. I may want restore it close to original (possibly grips, but most likely the hammer first). Any recommendations on a reputable parts dealer?

 

[Hondo44]

Yes, I'd search for a hammer first. The correct hammer will not be nickeled, the factory did not nickel plate hammers and triggers. It should be color case hardened.

And there are two different style N frame hammers, you need the 2nd style pre war hammer.

You will likely find its stocks more comfortable for shooting than originals and may be why your dad used them. Original stocks looked like this:

Try these sources:

"Aonepawninc" http://stores.ebay.com/aonepawninc
has a bunch of S&W parts for sale. I just ordered a complete hammer for my pre model 30 from them. They are very customer oriented and have very reasonable prices. 1/10/16

Dave Bennett: Parts and guns from 1900 up to 1970's.
e-Mail: [email protected]
Web Site: www.22ammobox.com

David Clements - Clements Custom Guns
PH: 276-238-8761
2766 Mt. Zion Rd.
Woodlawn, VA 24381
[email protected]
Clements Custom Guns

Jack First: Large selection of Pre- and Post-WWII parts. Sells working
parts to FFL dealers only.
Phone: 605-343-9544

Gun Parts Corp: Successor to Numrich Arms; many guns parts.
226 Williams Lane, West Hurley, NY 12491
Phone: 845-679-2417
e-Mail: [email protected]
Web Site: Firearm Parts & Accessories | Military Surplus | Numrich Gun Parts

Jim Horvath: Many parts for all S&W's (large and small) from 1860 up;
can reproduce parts.
e-Mail: [email protected]

Jeff Lee: Lee's Gun Parts (an extensive supply of gun parts, including S&W)Mike who works for Lee has 45 M25 barrels.
(Open to the public on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays).
3401 W. Pioneer, Suite 2, Irving, TX 75061
Phone: 972-790-0773
Parallels H-Sphere

Jan Matlega: Parts for Pre-WWII S&W hand-ejectors.
Mail Address: 528 Eddy Glover
New Britain, CT 06053
Phone: 860-229-6872

Poppert's Gun Parts: http://www.poppertsgunparts.com/
P.O. Box 413
Glenside, PA 19038
Tel: 215-887-2391 Fax: 215-887-5816
Email: [email protected]

Charlie Pate: Provides screws (original & reproduction) for S&W Tip-ups and Top-breaks; author of books and articles on S&W guns.
Phone: 703-533-8057
e-Mail: [email protected]

Phil Saccacio: Phone: 540-456-6405
e-Mail: [email protected]

Dave Szilagy: Manufactures parts for older S&W's.
Mail Address: 3107 Electric, Lincoln Park, MI 48146
e-Mail: [email protected]

Mike Veilleux: Guns and Gun Parts
All Parts inc. for Pre- and Post-WWII S&W's.
Phone: 413-732-9938
e-Mail: [email protected]
Web Site: www.gunsnparts.com

Liberty Tree Collectors Phone:207-285-3111
139 Main Street, Corinth, ME 04427
Email:[email protected]
Liberty tree collectors has original, CCH lanyard rings (but without the retaining pin) for $25.

S&W Parts; antique and new
[email protected]
Ph: 352 394-7412

 

[slwilliams67]

Hammer and trigger 44 special

Yes, I'd search for a hammer first. The correct hammer will not be nickeled, the factory did not nickel plate hammers and triggers. It should be color case hardened.

And there are two different style N frame hammers, you need the 2nd style pre war hammer.


Thanks for that wealth of information, Hondo44. It appears that my gun has a nickeled hammer and trigger because both appear polished. This gun should be double-action, correct? I pull the hammer back, but it doesn't catch. It only works like a single action by pulling the trigger. Is it possible both hammer and trigger have been replaced/reworked? Maybe you can glean some info from the attached pic. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Muley Gil]

It appears the single action sear has been ground away.

This revolver is now considered double action only (DAO), which is consistant with the spurless hammer.

To restore the single action capacity, you would have to replace the hammer and possibly the trigger as well.

 

[KEN L]

I recently joined this site because I'd like to find out the year this revolver was made. My dad recently passed away and I ended up owning it. I've always loved this gun. Hopefully I have all the info and pics you may need to help me with this. Thanks in advance.

Type: Hand ejector
Serial #30443
Caliber: 44 S&W Special Ctg
Barrel: 6 1/2"
Sights: Fixed

I think your gun more likely shipped Apr/May time frame 1928.

 

[delta-419]

S&W 44

Here is a photo of one of my S&W 44s that, while really dirty with about 85 years of crud, might provide you with a photo of the hammer and trigger and the delta of a DA only vs. a DA&SA lock work. Sorry about the dirty picture.



Found a clean gun photo. Also, note case color on hammer and trigger which appear factory fresh.

 

[Hondo44]

Thanks for that wealth of information, Hondo44. It appears that my gun has a nickeled hammer and trigger because both appear polished. This gun should be double-action, correct? I pull the hammer back, but it doesn't catch. It only works like a single action by pulling the trigger. Is it possible both hammer and trigger have been replaced/reworked? Maybe you can glean some info from the attached pic. Thanks in advance for your help.

They don't appear nickel to me, just the case coloring worn off and the metal is "in the white".

Your gun should be DA and SA. Your gun only works in DA:

DA is when the trigger performs two actions, both cocks the hammer and releases it.

SA requires manual cocking of the hammer, and the trigger only performs one action, releases the hammer.

As Muley Gil posted your hammer has had the SA function disabled, hence matching its spur removal and preventing manual cocking. You can see the modification by comparing to Delta's photos.

The good news is your trigger is good, and you needed a hammer anyway.