MOP handled 44 special

[MOPhandle44]

I would like to know more about this old gun. I believe the serial number is 11604. This old gun was inherited from my grandfather. It is a 5 screw, hand ejector with no model number though the yoke has matching assembly numbers 9996. I inherited it from my grandfather, given to me by my dad. It has a five inch barrel, and a strain screw at the base of the stock. When I showed it to people at a show, the consensus was that it was a tool, and in good usable condition. I hope to attach the pictures I just did of it.

I added a picture of rear of cylinder.

 

[Sebago Son]

This is a late production, nickle plated .44 Hand Ejector, First Model, "New Century", AKA "Triple Lock". Probably from around 1914. Nice, collectible gun. Your Grandfather had good taste. Congratulations!

 

[Sebago Son]

BTW, the barrel should properly be measured from the face of the cylinder, not the frame. That being so, your's is probably a 6" gun.

 

[Sebago Son]

Is that a .44-40 shell I see in one of your photos? This round is also known as the .44 Winchester or .44 WCF. If that's the chambering for your Grandfathers Triple Lock you have a very, very special gun there... Most were in .44 Special or .455 Eley. How is the barrel marked?

 

[DWalt]

That .44 HE First Model should fall within the 1913 production range, 11150 - 13200. I have one having a slightly lower SN than yours on my list which shipped in late 1915, but as is well known, S&W did not ship in serial number order, and the First Model was not a very hot seller anyway. In addition to .44 Special, a few were chambered in .38-40, .44-40, and .45 Colt. Some sold to the British for WWI use were chambered in .455. If yours is in fact marked as being chambered in .44-40 (or any of the other calibers besides .44 Special), you have a fairly desirable specimen due to their scarcity.

 

[MOPhandle44]

I looked on the side of the barrel and it is mostly illegible. It starts with 44, becomes unreadable and ends with CTG. The bullets we have been using in it are 44 Special.

 

[MOPhandle44]

Oh...it is 6 1/4 inches from the face of the cylinder

 

[MOPhandle44]

I guess it should be actually 6.5 inches

 

[Muley Gil]

I looked on the side of the barrel and it is mostly illegible. It starts with 44, becomes unreadable and ends with CTG. The bullets we have been using in it are 44 Special.

Nice TL. Can you show us a shot of the cylinder, taken from the rear, that shows the chambers?

 

[MOPhandle44]

As requested I have added a picture of the cylinder, taken from the rear.
BTW, The patina (aka "rust") adds character, and I have been advised to not take actions to remove it. Is there a way to reduce it that is non destructive? And of course should I even try? If not that's OK because it in no way effects its functioning.