Model of 1926 question

[policerevolvercollector]

When I stumbled across my 4" 1926 in a pawn shop, I promptly fell madly in "like" with the 3rd Model .44 and dove into some research. Anyone with more or especially more accurate info than I possess ,feel free to chime in.

The way I understand it, the story goes that W&K obtained sole rights to sell the 3rd Model in 1927 because their agreement with S&W obligated them to a production run of 3500 revolvers. The contract ran until 1937. The revolver became a cataloged item for S&W sometime after that. Starting in the beginning of 1937, W&K no longer had exclusive rights which would explain the variation in shipping addresses after that date. The number of guns W&K actually sold is a little fuzzy. I've heard estimates that ran under their contractual commitment up to approximately 4,600.

Any further information would be welcomed.

Best,
Charles

 

[les.b]

Here I go again, giving "likes" on 7 year old posts. Note to self: I've got to start looking at the dates on these things!! Anyway, a nice thread for guys like me that are still trying to learn stuff about Smith and Wesson's history.

Charles, I would like to see a picture of your 4" 1926....

Best Regards, Les

 

[policerevolvercollector]

Here I go again, giving "likes" on 7 year old posts. Note to self: I've got to start looking at the dates on these things!! Anyway, a nice thread for guys like me that are still trying to learn stuff about Smith and Wesson's history.

Charles, I would like to see a picture of your 4" 1926....

Best Regards, Les

Here you go .........

 

[sandburr1]

I know that this is an old thread, but my .44 Hand Ejector Third Model of 1926, Serial #555XX with fixed sights was shipped in February, 1938 to W. A. S. Thompson Hardware Co. in Topeka, Kansas according to Mr. Jinks. My research shows a W. A. L. Hardware in Topeka, Kansas.

 

[rct269]

In between me running my mouth to the effect S&W would sell them to anybody who'd pay for them-------at any time anywhere, I've been exposed to and listened to the words of THE man on topics such as this. Here are these words----in essence------as Mr. Jinks spoke/wrote them.

S&W had a contract of exclusivity with W&K from 1926 to 1936 (as respects these guns)-------which I interpret to mean if you wanted one you got it from W&K----or W&K had otherwise laid hands on and blessed the deal during this period of time. Having pondered these words for not very long, I decided they made sense.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[sandburr1]

Wolf & Klar

Sorry if I mislead anyone, but I didn't mean to say that it isn't a Wolf & Klar piece. Mr. Jink's letter clearly states that fact. Someday I will get some pictures taken and learn how to post them.

 

[Muley Gil]

I know that this is an old thread, but my .44 Hand Ejector Third Model of 1926, Serial #555XX with fixed sights was shipped in February, 1938 to W. A. S. Thompson Hardware Co. in Topeka, Kansas according to Mr. Jinks. My research shows a W. A. L. Hardware in Topeka, Kansas.

Sometimes, the penmanship in the shipping records is hard to read. Other times, spelling and other errors appear.

 

[H Richard]

I've always wanted a 1926 shipped in 1941 (preferably March 1941), but, never seen one, and then probably couldn't afford to buy it if I did. Would still like an opportunity.

 

[The Gila Bender]

I've always wanted a 1926 shipped in 1941 (preferably March 1941), but, never seen one, and then probably couldn't afford to buy it if I did. Would still like an opportunity.

Speaking as no particular authority I am aware of 3rd Model .44's and other N-frames shipped from inventory during 1940 and 1941. But were ANY N-frames being manufactured? I thought that S&W were occupied with making .38's for the British and Uncle Sam during 1940 and throughout WWII. The 44 and other N-frames didn't reappear on the commercial market until 1946.

 

[EarlB]

I'm still waiting on my letter, should have it in a week or two but I think there are some exceptions in that time frame. I have a 5" that went to the Providence Rhode Island PD in 1931. It's my understanding that since S&W is less than 100 miles from there those guns were shipped directly to the PPD instead of way over here to Texas and then back East. Maybe they had a special arrangement with W&K and the order still went thru them but was shipped directly, don't know but I do expect the letter to state they went directly there as is the case with the other 49 PPD 44's. Earl

In between me running my mouth to the effect S&W would sell them to anybody who'd pay for them-------at any time anywhere, I've been exposed to and listened to the words of THE man on topics such as this. Here are these words----in essence------as Mr. Jinks spoke/wrote them.

S&W had a contract of exclusivity with W&K from 1926 to 1936 (as respects these guns)-------which I interpret to mean if you wanted one you got it from W&K----or W&K had otherwise laid hands on and blessed the deal during this period of time. Having pondered these words for not very long, I decided they made sense.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[OldK22]

I am also still waiting on my letter.

 

[CptCurl]

Here's a rare bird. It's an early post-WW2 3rd Model .44HE with a 6-1/2" barrel. It didn't ship to W&K.

Curl