Modified 44 HE 3rd Model

[LLOYD17]

Picked this up today at my favorite shop after stopping in just to say hi.

Based on the serial I’d guess April of 1927 for a ship date though the other ones from that shipment that I’ve found were nickel 5 inchers. I’ll just need to wait for room on the date request forum.

All numbers match on the metal parts including the 6.5” barrel. No idea on who or when the post war sights were added. There are no date stamps on the grip frame.

Other notables from the shop today were a 4” Pre-28, a commercial 1917 and a Pre-24 with a S78… serial but still with a LERK.

 

[quinn]

That looks like one very nice target conversion with care in the refinish. Good show!

 

[22hipower]

Nice, but surely you brought the rest of them home too? Where are the pictures, especially the pre-24?

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[LLOYD17]

Nice, but surely you brought the rest of them home too? Where are the pictures, especially the pre-24?

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Didn’t really have the funds to cover those also whereas this one seemed like quite the deal for a solid pre war N Frame. Truth be told, there were a large number of old Smith’s I was tempted on.

 

[22hipower]

Didn’t really have the funds to cover those also whereas this one seemed like quite the deal for a solid pre war N Frame. Truth be told, there were a large number of old Smith’s I was tempted on.

Glad to hear someone is finding "large numbers" of them. I visit half a dozen shops here and find a couple beat up Model 10s and some overpriced new stuff. How were the prices?

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[LLOYD17]

Glad to hear someone is finding "large numbers" of them. I visit half a dozen shops here and find a couple beat up Model 10s and some overpriced new stuff. How were the prices?

Jeff
SWCA #1457

I think the 1917 and Pre-24 both had tags asking $2300-2500, not sure on the Pre-28. There were plenty of old M&P’s going for $425 (one was rough nickel but nice pearls). Also saw a 24-3 in the box, a 625-? Mountain Gun, a 25-5 in 45 Colt, 15-5, 19-3(?), 45, and a bunch of others I don’t remember. This is a great old shop. He’s got just as many Colts including all gens of SAA along with nice clones. I don’t think there’s a black rifle in the store and just a handful of modern semi-autos.

Here’s a few more pics of the new addition next to my other modified 3rd model and my 44 Outdoorsman.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Speaking of modified .44 HE 3rd Models...

Very nice pickup, LLOYD17! Mods look very well done. Your blued 4" 3rd model is really nice, too. I don't see a lot of vintage revolvers in the shops around here. I've got another modified .44 HE 3rd Model (W&K Model of 1926), that shipped in May 1927. Sometime back in the day, a previous owner decided to replace the half-moon front sight with a barrel rib and Baughman front sight, and then refinish the nickel. The mod is fairly well done, but the buffing and re-nickeling aren't the best work. I bought it at a local gun show years ago wearing the incorrect magna stocks, sitting in a much later presentation case, and with a letter from Mr. Jinx. I asked Pat Grashorn to make me some elk antler stocks, which later I decided to "age" by adding some patina. Enjoy!

 

[austintexas]

simular

I have a second model .455 (unmarked barrel) that has a prewar rear target sight and a patridge front sight. I got it cheap because it was modified. Checked under the grips and there was a date marked on the grip ?-27. When Lettered, it had been sent back to S&W, the target sights installed and converted to 45 colt. Shoots great.
SWCA 892