Model of 1950 Military 44

[22hipower]

Some 25 years ago I bought a S&W 44 at a pawn shop; didn't know what it was but knew that I wanted it. Turned out to be a 1950 Military 44 and it has been shown here before; originally shipped to the John Jovino gun shop in NYC in blue. It was nickel when I stumbled upon it. The first picture below.

So, visited that same pawn shop today, still owned by the same guy, lots of guns. . .no S&W revolvers. We talk awhile and he says he has an old one that he's getting ready to put out. . .or maybe keep. The nickel was ugly, that cloudy condition we often see, rust under the period correct but wrong SN number magnas. Obviously refinished but you don't see 1950 Military 44s every day so I bought it. It cleaned up reasonably well and is mechanically tight.

The front sight is not correct, as far as I know anyway. There is a diamond in the ejector shroud which I believe indicates a barrel change but could be something else and the SN is in the shroud. There is a four digit number (1054) on the right side of the frame but does not appear to be the usual date stamp for a return to the factory for service work. There is also a B confirming original blue I think, and another diamond.

I'd appreciate thoughts on whether the sight is original or might have been modified by the factory (thus the diamond in the shroud?). There is no * on the butt by the SN as is sometimes seen.

Also, does the diamond on the butt indicate a second service by S&W or did they apply it both there and in the shroud for a single visit?

I'll letter it when the moratorium is up and perhaps there will be shipping/service documents to provide more information. Any light that anyone can shed is most welcome.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[DWalt]

"There is a diamond in the ejector shroud which I believe indicates a barrel change but could be something else"

My notes say that a diamond stamp on the barrel indicates a factory barrel replacement. S&W would have stamped a matching SN inside the shroud if it replaced the barrel.

 

[Hondo44]

The front sight is not correct, as far as I know anyway. There is a diamond in the ejector shroud which I believe indicates a barrel change but could be something else and the SN is in the shroud. There is a four digit number (1054) on the right side of the frame but does not appear to be the usual date stamp for a return to the factory for service work. There is also a B confirming original blue I think, and another diamond.

I'd appreciate thoughts on whether the sight is original or might have been modified by the factory (thus the diamond in the shroud?). There is no * on the butt by the SN as is sometimes seen.

Also, does the diamond on the butt indicate a second service by S&W or did they apply it both there and in the shroud for a single visit?

I'll letter it when the moratorium is up and perhaps there will be shipping/service documents to provide more information. Any light that anyone can shed is most welcome.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

The sight appears to be the original forged blade but modified from the factory 1/2 round shape.

DIAMONDS:
were stamped on factory replaced parts or heel of grip frame on left side, followed by letters, sometimes in a rectangle or diamond, with an R (for refinish) or S (for standard blue finish) followed by B (blue), or N (nickel). Just the diamond for refinish also found on back side of cyl under the extractor star, and following the barrel serial # under barrel or in barrel shroud. On barrels with extractor shrouds, these stamps will alternatively be found on the back end of the shroud and only visible with cylinder swung out.

A Diamond can also mean:
Parts modified by the factory on a new gun like a shortened barrel BEFORE originally being shipped can have a diamond stamp sometimes with an S inside indicating service dept. work, but w/o a rework date on grip frame like guns returned to the factory!
It can mean a gun that had service work done, just like the Star was used.
"Parts on Hand"- i.e. replacement parts sold out the door.
There might also be letters in diamonds for plating like <S> (silver), <G> (gold), or a P (plated) with a circle.
These are just rules of thumb, not at all meant to be an all inclusive list, and often lack consistency (especially size of digits) like anything from S&W.

More to follow.

 

[Hondo44]

The 1054 has all the earmarks of a factory service date. Because it's in the correct spot on the left side of the grip frame, not the right. The format varies based on the workmen that stamped them, sometimes with mon, day and year or just mon and year, and sometimes w/o periods.

The diamond is highly likely to be a factory modification, and almost assuredly the diamond is not for that. Most likely a factory barrel change.

A refinish was almost for included as well.

 

[fleabus101]

That was a very fortunate visit to the shop, coming away with that 44 4 inch beauty !! Some guys have more than their share of luck..and luck smiled on you again there at that shop..
It a really nice Nickel 44.. Im not big on Nickel but I woulda went for that too, If I had the funds to get it.
Very very exc Smith and story behind it. .
My Congrats !!
Best Randy..

 

[tennexplorer]

As well done as the front sight modification appears to be done, it may well be that it was done at the factory. Yours is an early 1950. Probably shipped in late 1950 or early 1951. The barrel that is on the revolver is likely pre-war. If you look at the front of the cut out for the ejector rod, you will see it is squared off. I have seen a number of guns with that and it appears to be a way they altered or cleaned up the cutout that was originally relieved for the barrel shaped LERK.

I would consider a Historical Foundation inquiry also.

 

[Piwo]

FWIW...Years ago at a gun show in Ohio I saw what was purported to be an unfired, new in the box blued 1950 44 military with a 4 inch barrel. It was in the factory box and the hammer was zip tied, no ring line. It looked like it was brand new and I think he wanted $2,700 for it. The front sight was ramped exactly like the one shown here. I thought it was normal. After seeing the one above, I think it possible that the factory did a few like that. Maybe for a police department or special request. At that same show I found a 1950 44 target with ramp sight and 6.5 inch barrel in shooting, but nice, condition for $550 bucks. It came home with me.

 

[gerhard1]

The OP's revolver reminds me of my 4" Model 22 in 45 ACP.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

I would have bought that , congratulations .