Help with .44 special date

[andy52]

Stopped by the LGS to pick up some reloading supplies. He had just purchased a collection of Smiths the day before. Two of them found there way home with me. The one pictured is the .44 the other is a 1950 model .45 acp.

The .44 is a nickel 4" with some holster wear on the barrel and front sight. The rest of the nickel is in pretty good shape with just a little hazing at the trigger guard.

 

[Dave T]

Well, you sure hit the jack pot. (Smile)

Looks like a 3rd Model 44 Hand Ejector to me but I'm not near any references to look up the serial number.

Congratulations, which ever model it turns out to be. That's a dandy.

Dave

 

[andy52]

Well, you sure hit the jack pot. (Smile)

Looks like a 3rd Model 44 Hand Ejector to me but I'm not near any references to look up the serial number.

Congratulations, which ever model it turns out to be. That's a dandy.

Dave

Thanks
Truthfully I almost pasted on that one but something about it spoke to me. The 1950 model is a little rougher then this one but I haven't detailed it yet.

 

[DWalt]

SN 38402 would date it as having been made in 1931. Closest I have listed is 383xx which shipped in 7/31 and 386xx which shipped in 8/31. With the extractor rod shroud, it's a 3rd Model. Grips are not original, probably mid-50s to late 60s.

 

[andy52]

SN 38402 would date it as having been made in 1931. Closest I have listed is 383xx which shipped in 7/31 and 386xx which shipped in 8/31. With the extractor rod shroud, it's a 3rd Model. Grips are not original, probably mid-50s to late 60s.

Yes, the grips are not original the Ser# is 187033 which would be several years after that gun was made.
Thanks

 

[DWalt]

Yes, the grips are not original the Ser# is 187033 which would be several years after that gun was made.
Thanks

That would make the grips from around 1958-59. Even so, the grips remain desirable even if not the original equipment.

 

[quinn]

I love 3rd model 44's. You have hit the jackpot here.From the photos it would appear to be refinished. Many of those early Wolf & Klar guns worked hard and got refinished a time or two. I would expect that it shipped to Wolf & Klar which is good in most ways, but not so good in others as there are no W&K records on who they sold the gun to. If you haven't read the story, this gun was manufactured for W&K to fill the needs of Texas lawmen used to bouncing barrels off drunk cowboy heads. This is also called the 1926 model although the first guns weren't shipped to the Ft. Worth company until early 1927. I'm attaching a photo of the ad for this gun in the 1930 W&K catalog. Congratulations again... that is a keeper.

 

[andy52]

Thanks and I really didn't know that much about Wolf & Klar until I bought this .44 and started doing some research. From what I gathered almost all of these .44 were shipped to them. I'm going to have the gun lettered just to get some additional history.

 

[wheelgun610]

We don't need to know what you paid for that one, but I hope you know that's a very desirable piece you have there, and that means it's worth a substantial amount of money - especially if the finish is original. I can't see it well enough to have an opinion on whether or not it's been refinished. I'd say it was originally nickel due to the fact that there's no letter 'B' in the ejector rod shroud which is found on original blued guns. There should also be a letter 'N' stamped on the right side of the grip frame near the stock locating pin.

Enjoy it.

Mark

 

[andy52]

There is a N stamped on the grip frame, as to being refinished I really can't tell. I was looking for the date of manufacture in my OP but I don't mind saying what I paid. I paid 1500.00 for both the .44 and the 1950.
700.00 for the 1950 which may be a little high for the condition and 800.00 for the .44 which is probably a very good price.

 

[paul s]

Nice looking 44, should not the barrel be numbered?

 

[Muley Gil]

You done REAL good!

 

[Muley Gil]

Nice looking 44, should not the barrel be numbered?

It is numbered; it's just hard to see in his photo.

 

[andy52]

Nice looking 44, should not the barrel be numbered?

I'm not exactly sure what your referring to? It's a little hard to see in the photo but there is a number on the barrel, on the shroud under the extractor is a matching ser# to the one on the butt.

 

[andy52]

It is numbered; it's just hard to see in his photo.

You beat me to it. I was probably typing when you posted.

 

[wheelgun610]

You done REAL good!

I was thinkin' highway robbery, and if the finish is factory original, the charge would be upgraded to GRAND larceny.

Mark

 

[andy52]

I was thinkin' highway robbery, and if the finish is factory original, the charge would be upgraded to GRAND larceny.

Mark

Now that's funny and I'm happy with either one. Going to send the form in on Monday to get it lettered. As far as it being refinished someone with more knowledge of what to look for them me will have to look at it.

 

[andy52]

When this is all said and done I may have to go to my LGS and offer to buy the owner a bottle of the best beverage of his choice. He's really a nice guy and I've done business with him for years. He's no dummy when it comes firearms but he had just gotten this collection when I pulled in and hadn't had time to do much research.

 

[wheelgun610]

.... As far as it being refinished someone with more knowledge of what to look for them me will have to look at it.

I don't see anything that makes me suspect a refinish, but it's impossible to say for sure from the pics. The lettering looks good. The lettering is just not exactly the same on any two guns, so it it looks a tiny bit lighter than some others you've seen, it's not a definite indication of a refinish.

Aside from the lettering and side plate fit, one of the first things I look for is the small pin that protrudes from the left side of the frame. It's hidden under the grips on yours. It should be round on the end. If it was refinished, chances are it would be polished flat.

And, of course, if it was factory refinished, there should be a date code stamped on the left side of the grip frame - near the strain screw.....

Take a look for those things and let us know what you see.

Mark

 

[andy52]

No refinish stamps on the frame. Lettering looks sharp to my eye. The pin you suggested looking at has a nice round top. Here are a few close ups of those areas.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

I may have to go to my LGS and offer to buy the owner a bottle of the best beverage of his choice.

Not "A" bottle...two bottles!

 

[H Richard]

That's no refinish. Comes close to ANIB. I'd make that a bottle of "good" stuff!

 

[wheelgun610]

Looks right as rain to me. I'd dare say you'll never see another one in any higher condition than that. The only downside is that it doesn't have the original stocks. A correct vintage set in equal condition to the gun would probably run near the $300 mark, but even if you went that route, you'd still be way shy of what that gun would - or at least should sell for in a place where knowledgable pre-war S&W buyers are present.

You should probably consider buying your friend at least a half gallon - or two or three.

Mark

 

[andy52]

That's no refinish. Comes close to ANIB. I'd make that a bottle of "good" stuff!

For it's age it is pretty nice, don't know that would go as far as ANIB it does have some holster wear on the muzzle and front sight, but thank you.

 

[andy52]

Looks right as rain to me. I'd dare say you'll never see another one in any higher condition than that. The only downside is that it doesn't have the original stocks. A correct vintage set in equal condition to the gun would probably run near the $300 mark, but even if you went that route, you'd still be way shy of what that gun would - or at least should sell for in a place where knowledgable pre-war S&W buyers are present.

You should probably consider buying your friend at least a half gallon - or two or three.

Mark

If I could find a set of original grips in good condition I would gladly pay 300 for them. Heck I could sell the diamond magna grips that it's wearing now to recoup some of that.

And yes after I get the letter back I'll go to the gun shop and offer him whatever bottle he wants or a tip because I don't even know if he's a drinking man.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

because I don't even know if he's a drinking man

He will be after you tell him the story.

 

[wheelgun610]

He will be after you tell him the story.

Heck, he could probably just give the .45 back and shed some of the guilt.

Mark

 

[andy52]

He will be after you tell him the story.

Funny but you could very well be right.

 

[andy52]

Heck, he could probably just give the .45 back and shed some of the guilt.

Mark

LOL..........I don't feel that guilty.

 

[andy52]

I've been looking around for some grips that are a little closer to the age of the gun. Found a set on eBay they're nice but a little pricey at 499. When I get the letter back and if this .44 turns out to be a Wolf & Klar I may just go with a set of "real stag" grips, I know that some of their grip are historical collectable but they are really gaudy.