I won a 1931 HE 44 Special

[RM Vivas]

I didn’t realize that Texas was exempt from the purview of the ATF.

The S/N on the butt is the only S/N that matters to the government and this one is destroyed.

Will it ever be a problem? Most likely not.

but you should be aware of the ramifications, especially since you’ve posted it on the internet for the whole world to see.

The factory would occasionally deface a serial number to install a lanyard loop. When this was done, they would re-stamp the serial number on the frame under the grip.

I've had some correspondence with ATF and others about this and the consensus is that prior to 1968, IF THE GUN DID NOT LEAVE THE FACTORY, the 'official' serial number would be the re-stamped one under the grip. A factory letter explaining the installation was done at the factory should suffice.

If you look here on the forum there are some posts that address this.

From a purely practical standpoint, I can't imagine anyone getting too worked up over a defaced 100-year old s/n unless they are looking to stack the charges on you for something else, in which case you have bigger problems.

Best, RM Vivas

 

[handejector]

You DID steal it.
Everyone keeps sayin 2nd Model- it is a THIRD Model.
Somewhat rare in 6-1/2". It is definitely the rarest length for the 3rd Model.

I thought the distinguishing change for the third model was an ejector shroud?

Jeff
SWCA #1457

DUHHHHHHHHHH..............
Short on caffeine, balky pic opening, moving too fast, and gettin old (an maybe dumber).
It is a 2nd Model.




[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjYoNL4g5Vg[/ame]

 

[pasound]

Great price on the 6 1/2" 44. That is much like my lettered factory nickel 2nd model, also a 6 1/2". Shipped 9/12/1923. Letter states it was built on a 1917 45 frame, Springfield Armory proofed and stamped. The lanyard hole is there, but seemingly never used for a lanyard. None came with the gun. The serial is offset on the butt, not re-stamped or drilled through.

 

[22hipower]

DUHHHHHHHHHH..............
Short on caffeine, balky pic opening, moving too fast, and gettin old (an maybe dumber).
It is a 2nd Model.

I'm sure glad to hear that, caffeine shortage, I thought I was the only one who has those old brain "hiccups."

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

I saw that one too after it closed. My immediate thought was “someone got a decent 2nd model 44 HE at a discount”

Great score OP! Let us know how it shoots when you take delivery.

 

[raljr1]

and if by chance there isnt a serial number under those grips, 1/8" stamp set costs about $30

 

[45NUTT]

I picked it up today. The action is silky smooth double and single action. 5 shots at 10 yards & felt recoil was very manageable. I'm in love!!









EDIT: Are these the correct style grips? Or should they be the ones that fir the frame contour? The grips are in the 56XXX serial number range.

 

[Muley Gil]

Magna stocks were introduced with the .357 Magnum in 1935. Your .44 probably came with silver medallion service stocks.

Pre WW II Magnas are nice!

 

[Keith Brown]

Looks like a nice old gun at a very nice price. If I saw it at a show and had cash in pocket I would have dropped a couple more hundred pretty easy. The grips aren’t correct and are worth a chunk of what you paid so your ahead there also.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Those might not be the correct stocks but as others have mentioned they’re valuable in themselves. Also they’re the ones I’d have on it for actual shooting. Much more pleasant than the service stocks.

 

[larryofcc]

This gun is from the 30's. It actually letters with the lanyard loop. No 1917 markings on the gun. Big Larry

 

[Summersteel]

I hope you got the hint in post #21!
Would love to hear what you find out.

 

[HKSmith]

Remove the stocks and look at the left side of the grip frame. If the factory drilled the hole through the SN, they would have stamped the serial number on that side. It may also have factory rework date, such as 8.38.

Are there any polished or ground off police markings on the back strap? IIRC, the Washington State Police issued these .44s at one time.

The Washington State Patrol (not Police) issued .44 Hand Ejector 3rd Models after WW II. These were transitional guns with 6.5 inch barrels and about 300 were made. The backstraps were engraved at the factory. When the guns were taken out of service, the individual officers could buy them, in which case the markings were left intact. The remainder of the guns were sold commercially after removing the police markings. I have one of these .44's and shoot it occasionally.

 

[Muley Gil]

This gun is from the 30's. It actually letters with the lanyard loop. No 1917 markings on the gun. Big Larry

It may have shipped in the 1930s but I'd bet that it was built in the 1920s. If it WAS built in the '30s, the factory used a lot of leftover parts, such as the stocks and the barrel that was cut for a mushroom head ejector rod.

Have you checked the frame, behind the yoke, for any eagle head proofmarks?

 

[RM Vivas]

The Washington State Patrol (not Police) issued .44 Hand Ejector 3rd Models after WW II. These were transitional guns with 6.5 inch barrels and about 300 were made. The backstraps were engraved at the factory. When the guns were taken out of service, the individual officers could buy them, in which case the markings were left intact. The remainder of the guns were sold commercially after removing the police markings. I have one of these .44's and shoot it occasionally.

The pre-war guns were not necessarily engraved.

The State Patrol had asked S&W about engraving the guns but S&W responded they were unable to do so at that time. They suggested getting an outside vendor to do this. Therefore, some guns are either unmarked or have post-factory markings. I suspect you'll be hearing more about this shortly.

Best,
RM Vivas

 

[Skyhunter]

I'd say you did well for that revolver!
Enjoy!

WYT-P
Skyhunter

 

[45NUTT]

I got my S&WHF letter today!

 

[RM Vivas]

Told ya it was “letter-worthy”!!

Nice catch! I’m jealous!

Best ,
RM Vivas