My DA .44 First Model...Arrived in the mail today!

[Captain John Jarrett]

All,

The newest addition to my S&W family that just arrived today:

Has a good amount of what I'm assuming is a factory re-nickel as there is a star/asterik on the butt that if I'm not mistaken means it went back to the factory at some point in time for an overhaul...has what, again I'm assuming (yes I know it may make an *** out of you and me), appears to be a factory 4 inch bbl as the patent dates are complete and not cut off like on others I've seen....some very nice pearl(?) grips which fit wonderfully and have no cracks or crazing, but not sure if they were original on the old girl....bore is a bit dark but rifling is prominent and very little to no pitting....mechanics are all as should be....there is a miniscule amount of play in the frame to barrel lockup, and I will have that addressed down the road but it should be ok with .44 Russian loaded with the Holy Black!
I understand that just as on my previous .44 I posted on here a few weeks back I will only be able to get a definitive answer as to the date of shipment by ordering a letter from Mr. Jinks....having said that would anyone care to hazard a guess for this one???

John.

 

[10-12]

I haven't a clue as to when it was made but I certainly envy your find.

That's a good one.

Bill

 

[rhmc24]

Compared it with a couple of mine. Looks like it's the short cylinder, .44 Russ only. Serial number should be 4 digit but seems to be 5 digits. OTOH the last digit which looks like a 7 may be something else, not a number. Yours may be 4 digits, 2438, placing production in early 1880s. My short cyl is s/n 35xx.

The short cyls were replaced by the long cylinder production in the later 1880s, which could be either .44 Russ or .44-40, with a very few in .38-40.

It might be worthwhile to investigate further.

 

[murphydog]

Nice old gun. The stamped star did not always indicate a refinish; it was placed so that the returned gun could not be sold as new, so this could have meant factory mechanical or finish work.

 

[Roundsworth]

Is that a number, just off the right point of the star, and a wee bit above, possibly a reflection from your camera? If you take off the grips, you might find a date in 'xx-xx' format stamped on the grip frame. My 'starred' 44 DA has '10-21' on it for its refinishing. You have a nice gun. I just bought one and really like it. After breaking it down for a proper detailing, I am in awe with the inner workings of these DAs. I am waiting for some Lyman 245 grain RN bullets so I can give her a whirl! Good luck with yours. Enjoy!

 

[Captain John Jarrett]

Gents,

It is the short cylinder .44 Russian model, and I took the grips off to see if there were any markings on either them or the grip frame but see nothing in the way of markings on either...have attached pics so that someone perhaps might see something I've missed.

John.

 

[Captain John Jarrett]

Gents,

On to the serial number....I have looked at and taken pictures (attached) of the cylinder and stirrup latch, both having the same number as the frame. If it is indeed not a 7 and rather some other figure can someone explain to me what that figure is and represents? The cylinder has a pit just on the #8 but the 7 (?) can be seen quite clearly....the latch picture is not clear at all, but can be read in person, however I included it to illustrate the numerals which can be counted to be the same amount as on the rest of the revolver! Are there any other places where the serial # would be on the revolver?
Also, thank you for setting me straight on the star marking and it total meaning!

John.

 

[deadin]

There is also one on the rear of the barrel extension but can be really hard to see. (It can be split on each side...)

 

[glowe]

Check the left side of the grip frame. I think I can see some stampings under the rust. Clean the area up and see if there is a date of return there.

 

[Captain John Jarrett]

Deadin,

Thanks for the tip on the barrel extension, it is the same full # as on the rest of the gun, so if it isn't a 7 whatever it is has been stamped on all parts with the serial #! Photo attached but just barely discernible, using the camera on my phone so I appologize for the quality.

Glowe,

Great eyeball job!!! I looked right over it....most of the crud was dried grease but there is some corrosion/nickle flaking! Again using the camera on the phone, so I apologize for the quality although this one is better read. Looks to me like 6 29? Don't know whether I'm reading it correctly or not...your imput please!

John.

 

[deadin]

Are you sure about the cylinder length? With a serial above 15,??? (something or other. I'm too lazy to go look it up) it should have a 1 9/16ths cylinder even if it is chambered in .44 Russian.

 

[Captain John Jarrett]

Dean,

Yes I'm 100% positive about the cylinder length, but only because I have the Frontier model I recently purchased to put it up against.
As you can see, the cylinder on the Fontier model (left) is noticably longer than the one on the First Model (right)

John.

 

[twaits]

There is also one on the rear of the barrel extension but can be really hard to see. (It can be split on each side...)

Deadin,

This is very interesting and something I did not know until today.
Would mind commenting on a thread I just posted? Thanks.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-an...da-frontier-serial-numbers.html#post136536384

 

[glowe]

Glowe,

Great eyeball job!!! I looked right over it....most of the crud was dried grease but there is some corrosion/nickle flaking! Again using the camera on the phone, so I apologize for the quality although this one is better read. Looks to me like 6 29? Don't know whether I'm reading it correctly or not...your imput please!

John.

John - it would most likely be the month and year the gun was returned to the factory. June 1929 is when your revolver got its star. Problem is, there is no telling why the gun went back.

 

[Captain John Jarrett]

Glowe,

So they didn't keep records for repairs, that is a shame! I'm going to have to get a letter request sent out PDQ, would like to know who recieved this particular revolver, especially in light of the serial # mystery!


John.

 

[deadin]

So they didn't keep records for repairs

There are repair records but they are filed by name of who sent the gun in. The SWHF (S&W Historical Foundation) is in the process of digitizing many of these records, so someday this information may become available by serial number.

 

[Captain John Jarrett]

Will I need to be a S&W member to utilize these records, whenever they do become available? If so how do I go about becoming a member, what are the cost involved?

John.

 

[deadin]

I don't believe you need to be a member of the S&W Collectors Association to be a member of the S&W Historical Foundation as they are two separate institutions.
However, if you are going to be collecting S&W's you really should join the S&WCA. The new member fee is $60.00 for the first year and then $50.00 yearly after that. Here is a link to the Associations website:
Smith & Wesson Collectors Association
Read it over and if you have any questions, just ask here.

The Foundation membership is a one-time fee. Here is a link to the Foundation site: Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation - Home Page - Insuring that the rich history of Smith & Wesson will continue for generations to come
Once again, read it over and if any questions, ask here.