I rarely go to gunshows anymore as my wants are very specific to S&W's in recent years, and unless you want $600 Model 10's there is usually nothing interesting around.
The only reason I went today is because I thought I could pick up some .32 bullets for reloading. After walking around for about 10 minutes I found an 85% 38 DA Fourth Model for a couple hundred dollars. It was all original including the grips and in quite good condition so I bought it.
Being happy with my good fortune, I proceeded to resume my search for bulk bullets.
About a half hour later in my search, I found an old 5 screw in better than 96% condition. I picked it up and looked it over, not really knowing what I was looking at. It had very nice old blue, a tight cylinder and action and looked a lot like my 1917 with a bit longer barrel. I then spied the barrel markings "44 S&W Special"! I finally found a long sought after 44 HE and didn't actually know what to do with it. I have always wanted a 44 HE but have never even seen one in real life. As it was pricey at $1200, I tried to be objective in my evaluation. First I noted the serial number, 16014 which I thought might be a 2nd Model. Then I looked to see if all the numbers matched which they did, including the grips. He had asked if I wanted to take them off and verify, which I eagerly did and there was the serial number, in pencil on the right grip. I now was trying to figure if $1200 was in the ballpark for such an example and came up blank. I decided to wait and asked for his contact info if I changed my mind. I walked away thinking just how bad I wanted it but also how uninformed I was about these. I decided to pass and do some homework and maybe contact him later. As I made one more pass through the show, he was there with that 44. I took another look at it and he said, if I really wanted it, I could get it for $1050. After that it didn't matter if it was a good deal or not, it was going home with me. So I am a happy owner of a what I know now is a 44 HE Second Model made in 1917 according to the SCSW. I don't ever get the killer deals, but sometimes I get deals that make me happy, and this is one of those.
The only reason I went today is because I thought I could pick up some .32 bullets for reloading. After walking around for about 10 minutes I found an 85% 38 DA Fourth Model for a couple hundred dollars. It was all original including the grips and in quite good condition so I bought it.
Being happy with my good fortune, I proceeded to resume my search for bulk bullets.
About a half hour later in my search, I found an old 5 screw in better than 96% condition. I picked it up and looked it over, not really knowing what I was looking at. It had very nice old blue, a tight cylinder and action and looked a lot like my 1917 with a bit longer barrel. I then spied the barrel markings "44 S&W Special"! I finally found a long sought after 44 HE and didn't actually know what to do with it. I have always wanted a 44 HE but have never even seen one in real life. As it was pricey at $1200, I tried to be objective in my evaluation. First I noted the serial number, 16014 which I thought might be a 2nd Model. Then I looked to see if all the numbers matched which they did, including the grips. He had asked if I wanted to take them off and verify, which I eagerly did and there was the serial number, in pencil on the right grip. I now was trying to figure if $1200 was in the ballpark for such an example and came up blank. I decided to wait and asked for his contact info if I changed my mind. I walked away thinking just how bad I wanted it but also how uninformed I was about these. I decided to pass and do some homework and maybe contact him later. As I made one more pass through the show, he was there with that 44. I took another look at it and he said, if I really wanted it, I could get it for $1050. After that it didn't matter if it was a good deal or not, it was going home with me. So I am a happy owner of a what I know now is a 44 HE Second Model made in 1917 according to the SCSW. I don't ever get the killer deals, but sometimes I get deals that make me happy, and this is one of those.
