Miss January, 1956

[29-1]

In preparing a display of 1st year (1956) S&W .44 Magnums, I thought that the .44 Mag folks on this forum might like to see pictures of some of the items that will be incorporated into the display that I hope to be able to show at the annual S&WCA meeting in Michigan this coming June. Also, today is the birthdate of S130938 that shipped Jan 31, 1956. It is one of 5 .44 Magnums built in January, 1956, 3 for commercial sale, one to Elmer Keith and one for Julian Hatcher at the NRA, which he tested and reported on in the March,1956 American Rifleman. I am fortunate to have been able to acquire some nice provenance to go with this early gun to include the original correspondence from Badger Shooters Supply to the purchaser, L.A. Remark in Lexington, KY along with Mr. Remark's canceled check. As each month arrives this year, I'll post information about the .44 that was produced in that particular month. I also plan to produce a 12 month calendar sometime next year.
Enjoy
Chuck

 

[szuppo]

Chuck,
Fantastic display! You should be very proud. I for one am grateful for your time and effort locating and displaying these. A ton of hard work and patience putting this together.
You are a true asset to the continuation of S&W Collecting.
Thanks! I'm always on the look out for these beauties to add to your display. Been unlucky this far but looking nonetheless.



Regards,
Steve

 

[Keith Brown]

That is one beautiful gun! I will look forward to each and every gun you post. The related papers documenting the guns history are very interesting to see and read. Thanks you very much for taking the time hunt them down and put it all together in one display, Hopefully I'll be able to see them up close sometime.

Keith

 

[kresky]

Fantastic...and my birth month and year. Thanks for posting.

 

[DHENRY]

Chuck,
Absolutely breathtaking!
I can't wait to see your display this Spring in Michigan.
Thanks for a first-class post.
Don

 

[n4zov]

Wow! I'm not sure what else to say except a big Thank You for sharing!

 

[j38]

Chuck,

That is a gorgeous gun, but the history you have put together about the piece really puts it over the top!

Thanks for your efforts,

Jerry

 

[H Richard]

These are the reason's we come to the S&W Forum. Please keep up the great displays and wonderful information.

 

[Rad29]

Hi Chuck:

Great start to what I am sure will be a great 44 Mag. display. Look forward to seeing it all in June.

Bob

 

[Culina]

very nice, very nice indeed, on a side note, now I know why I can't find one.

 

[Dhasso]

No wonder I can't find an older 29....you have them all

Stunning to say the least.

Thanks for sharing.

Dhasso

 

[parts]

Absolutely amazing!!!!

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...I love that second letter to Mr. Remark...it translates as:

...we shot four or five rounds through it between the three of us...and we don't want anything to do with this MUZZLE BLASTING HAND MAIMER. Please take it and the rest of the box of ammo off our hands at a 25 dollar discount...POST HASTE!

 

[pace40]

Great stuff, Chuck. Can't wait to see the display.

 

[29-1]

Thanks folks for the nice comments. In his post on 38/44s, Tom hit the nail on the head about this forum. The one constant over the years that keeps folks signing in to it day in and day out are the postings that not only show off a person's collection, but more importantly, helps us all learn a little more about S&W. For me, everyone has something to offer and I really appreciate all the postings you folks make and Lee for keeping things going for us all. More to come....

Chuck

 

[JayCeeNC]

This is an awesome endeavor you've undertaken, Chuck.
It affirms once more that this Forum is THE place to see, share, and learn about Smith & Wesson handguns.
Folks like you contributing their knowledge and information make it my #1 stopping place every day.

 

[230grfmj]

Chuck,

I think I have opened up your thread at least a dozen times since you posted it this morning, and I keep lookng at it in amazement.

I finally realized that what you have here is a complete collection all by itself in this one package. I am envious to say the least.

If by chance you feel you could also bring it to Tucson in 2010, I'd be able to see it, and I hope maybe you'll consider coming to AZ then.

Congratulations on what an incredible package you have there that you were willing to share with all of us.

Thanks for taking all the time to put it together for all of us to see and to be able to learn from.

 

[DGNY]

Thank you for enriching the knowledge of all and for delighting the eye with your superb pictures. Such excellent, shall we say nonpareil, hardware, with a fine story to boot. Doesn't get much better

We are in your debt.

Regards,

Dyson

 

[29-1]

Originally posted by 230grfmj:
Chuck,

I think I have opened up your thread at least a dozen times since you posted it this morning, and I keep lookng at it in amazement.

I finally realized that what you have here is a complete collection all by itself in this one package. I am envious to say the least.

If by chance you feel you could also bring it to Tucson in 2010, I'd be able to see it, and I hope maybe you'll consider coming to AZ then.

Congratulations on what an incredible package you have there that you were willing to share with all of us.

Thanks for taking all the time to put it together for all of us to see and to be able to learn from.

Tom, I'm definately going to try and make the Arizona meeting. I loved my year there in Sierra Vista 10 years ago. It sure beats the snow and cold here in NY. You are correct about the 12 gun collection being a stand alone. My collecting interests have evolved over the past few years to basically the 1st year .44 Magnum and the 29-1 variation. I have to compete though with a couple of other pretty serious .44 Mag guys named Bill and Bob,

but it's all in good friendship for certain. There's not a gun in any of our collections worth as much as our mutual respect for one another. I actually got the idea for this 12 gun collection from Bill who has been my S&W mentor for many years now. I am ultimately going to simply have a 12 gun pre-29 collection and of course as many 29-1s as I can get my hands on.

Chuck

 

[curt hanshaw]

29-1,glad to see how far you have come.i have been watching over the past two years as you got closer to your dream project.that is truly a great collection.do you happen to know where i could find the ad that says power and accuracy and shows the 44 in the case.or can you have a copy made of yours?i would be willing to pay for one.thanks curt.

 

[29-1]

Originally posted by curt hanshaw:
29-1,glad to see how far you have come.i have been watching over the past two years as you got closer to your dream project.that is truly a great collection.do you happen to know where i could find the ad that says power and accuracy and shows the 44 in the case.or can you have a copy made of yours?i would be willing to pay for one.thanks curt.

Curt, email me an address and I'll send you one. It was also in the May or June '56 issue of the American Rifleman, off hand not sure which without going to look. The one pictured is an original factory model circular/flyer which is duplicated in the AR ad.
Regards
Chuck

 

[29-1]

Originally posted by JayCeeNC:
This is an awesome endeavor you've undertaken, Chuck.
It affirms once more that this Forum is THE place to see, share, and learn about Smith & Wesson handguns.
Folks like you contributing their knowledge and information make it my #1 stopping place every day.

John, just noticed your location. Stay safe brother.
Chuck

 

[donaldw870]

Beautiful collection and display. Thank you for sharing.

 

[NT430]

Chuck, as always, Thanks! and once again, I'm in awe.
Put me down for an "autographed" edition of your calendar!
Geez - what an onslaught for the kick-off of what I expect to be the most anticipated monthly postings this Year!

 

[catdad]

What a way to wake a guy up on a Sunday morning, that's the nicest RACK I've ever seen.

Outstanding beauty, I'll be looking at this thread all day, and can't wait to see the calender.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[NT430]

Chuck, as I leer at S130938 -the bottom end of the stocks appears to have a slightly less oval shape than it's 11 brothers - is it my eyes?

 

[29-1]

J.C., no you're eyes are still good. The earliest .44 Mags appear to have been fitted with target stocks cut along the same lines and dimension as the earlier targets with a more pronounced flair on the tail, more oval on the bottom, actually shorter than the regular cokes we are most familiar with. Thay are more narrow/thinner as well. Bill would be the one to describe these in much greater/more understandable detail. I'll definately save a calendar for you.

Chuck

 

[Doc44]

The profile of the stocks on S130938 look exactly like the profile of the stocks on the 44 Magnum shown in the advertisement that was made December 1955 or January 1956 using S130927, the first production 44 Magnum. This style of stocks was also used on S147213 that was sent to Pete Kuhlhoff in early 1956 (date unknown). From the photo of S130942 (shipped 1/20/56) that appeared in the American Rifleman, this 44 Magnum also had a pair of these early type stocks. By sometime in February, the profile was changed slightly to that seen on the remainder of Chuck's 44s. I have S130847 (shipped 1/31/56), but the stocks were changed to the smooth type on it (or it may have been shipped that way). Regardless, the stocks on the first 44s were slightly different than what came later.

Bill

 

[NT430]

Chuck - Bill,
Have you ever known there to be any correlation between "assembly numbers" of guns manufactured within the same time frame, ex. these very early .44's? Is there any correlation? Were the inspection numbers assigned to individual assemblers/ testers? Where did the stamping of these numbers fall in the manufacturing processes?

 

[curt hanshaw]

29-1,tried to e-mail you my address,window popped up and says i dont have permission i must not be set up to e-mail other members.i will try and fiqure it out.my address is curt hanshaw,1009 battles ave.akron, ohio, 44314.i would love a copy and i will cover any costs to send.thanks curt.