Looking for 44mag 3rd HE barrel

[odivad125]

Hello. I have this 5 screw HE from 1956. The cylinder and frame serial number match. The color of the bluing for barrel and frame are obviously not correct, so it has been rebarreled. The cylinder is 1.57 long and is a 44 mag. Barrel is 44 spl. What is the chance of finding a correct age 44 mag barrel? I have no intention of selling it, just want to make it correct. Thank you.

 

[odivad125]

Looking in the Standard Catalog of S&W, this is not a pre 29 or a 4th model HE. It has a smooth front and rear back strap. Can anyone tell me what it actually is? Serial is S142xxx

 

[steelslaver]

I do not believe that is a factory 44 mag cylinder. It is to short. The amount of space between the front of a 44 mag cylinder is about 1/2 that of the gun in picture. If it isn't recesses it started life as a 44 special cylinder and if it is recessed it was originally a 357 cylinder.

This is the gap on a 44 or 41 mag

 

[Muley Gil]

Does a .44 Magnum cartridge fit in the cylinder? Is there a serial number on the rear face of the cylinder?

 

[odivad125]

The serial number on the back of the cylinder is the same as the frame. A 44 mag cartridge fits in the cylinder. There is no evidence that the cylinder was bored out or ever counter bored.

 

[mh51]

Your cylinder is for a .44 Special, not a .44 mag. All .44 mag cylinders were recessed to give additional strength to the case head. The length of a .44 Special cylinder is 1.57", which matches what you measured.
Without the grooved grip frame, I suspect what you have is a Model 1950 .44 Special military frame and cylinder. The barrel was changed later to a target configuration, and a gunsmith installed the adjustable rear sight.
This is just my theory.......a factory letter will confirm its original caliber and configuration.
Good luck, the results maybe interesting.

 

[Muley Gil]

Your revolver started life as a fixed sighted Model of 1950 .44 Military. The front of the frame where it meets the barrel does not have a rib and the grip frame is smooth, rather than grooved. The .44 Special cylinder has been rechambered to .44 Magnum. As noted above, Magnum cylinders are longer.

I would NOT shoot .44 Magnum ammo in it. Magnum cylinders received heat treatment, while standard cylinders did not.

 

[Gun Relics]

Hello. I have this 5 screw HE from 1956. The cylinder and frame serial number match. The color of the bluing for barrel and frame are obviously not correct, so it has been rebarreled. The cylinder is 1.57 long and is a 44 mag. Barrel is 44 spl. What is the chance of finding a correct age 44 mag barrel? I have no intention of selling it, just want to make it correct. Thank you.

I don't see much point in changing the barrel because it will never be original or correct. The shroud will not have the matching serial number which your gun would have had originally. If it started as a 1950 Military .44 as several members have suggested, then the sights are modified. It will just be another expensive modification to an already modified gun.

 

[H Richard]

Looks like it would be a nice 44 Special shooter, especially with the adjustable sights. Enjoy it as is, I wouldn't spend any more money on it, it is what it is.

 

[RebCop]

All modern S&W revolvers receive the same heat treatment. Someone in the past wanted a adjustable sighted .44 mag and just made one. This usually happened with M-28 frames as they are easier to convert.

 

[Muley Gil]

All modern S&W revolvers receive the same heat treatment. Someone in the past wanted a adjustable sighted .44 mag and just made one. This usually happened with M-28 frames as they are easier to convert.

We are talking about a revolver built in the 1950s. It wasn't heat treated, according to Dr. Roy Jinks. He was once in charge of handgun production at S&W.