Please help me identify this S&W

[ATripleJ]

Good afternoon, could I get help identifying this S&W? I would like to determine its value but I couldn't determine which model it is from the bluebook as there is no model number behind the yoke and it looked to me like it could fit several of the bluebook descriptions. First post so hoping I included the relevant pictures. Thank you!

 

[Skeetr57]

It is a post war .38-44 Outdoors man

 

[DCWilson]

Deleted. What I had written was based on an incorrect reading of one photograph.

 

[gagunner 2]

picture shows barrel stamped "44 S&W Special"

 

[gjamison]

The barrel reads 44 special, that would be a pre model 24.

 

[DCWilson]

I will try one more time to make a post today that doesn't need serious amendment. But if I get this one wrong too, I am going to have to acknowledge that I can't see well enough to interpret the photos that are being posted.

Collectors would call that gun a .44 Hand Ejector, 3rd Model Target (postwar transitional). A similar gun with a nearby serial number shipped in mid-1947. It's transitional because it has the prewar long action combined with the postwar ribbed barrel and large micro-click adjustable sights. After 1950 the long action was replaced with the newly designed short action, which had a shorter hammer throw and faster lock time. That short action variety was identified as the Model 24 under the new company numbering policy in 1957; short action guns made between 1950 and 1957 are the ones that may be called Pre-24 models without possible confusion.

If you want to feel good about your find, read this:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha.../334661-44-3rd-model-transitional-target.html

I'm not even going to guess what a proper valuation would be. Perhaps no more than 50 made and only a few over a dozen known to collectors? I bet you're talking big bucks.

 

[ATripleJ]

disregard, i see that there was additional comment already, it may have answered my question.

 

[JayCeeNC]

Very nice gun, pretty scarce, and valuable.
The smooth target grips appear to lack the "football" cutout on the top left panel, which also makes them a bit more valuable than later versions with the cutout.

 

[Tom K]

....
If you want to feel good about your find, read this:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha.../334661-44-3rd-model-transitional-target.html

I'm not even going to guess what a proper valuation would be. Perhaps no more than 50 made and only a dozen known to collectors? I bet your talking big bucks.

Here's the list of known pre-24 Transitional target guns that Jim Fisher posted in the above thread. The OP's gun is not on the list, so it's a new find. Wow! What a way to make an entrance.

S-71074 44 Special 6 1/2 Blue shipped 6/27/1947 sutcliffe hardware louisville Ky.
S-71263 44 Special 6 1/2 Blue Condition 95%
S-71337 44 Special 6 1/2 Blue Shipped 6/12/1947 6 guns in shippment to R>S Marshalls C0. Lima OH.
S-71348 44 Special 6 1/2 Blue shipped 6/27/1947 sutcliffe hardware louisville Ky.
S-71393 44 Special 6 1/2 Blue 85%
S-71498 44 Special 6 1/2 Blue shipped 1947 San Francisco Chad Gripp
S-71567 44 Special 6 1/2 Blue Shipped 6/12/1947 6 guns in shippment to R>S Marshalls C0. Lima OH.
S-71670 44 Special 6 1/2 Blue Dick Burg 4 inch
S-71719 44 Special 6 1/2 Blue Shipped 6/12/1947 to Smith Bros Gun Shop Rochester PA
S-71903 44 Special 6 1/2 Blue shipped 9/1946
S-71912 44 Special 6 1/2 Blue Shipped 6/12/1947 to Smith Bros Gun Shop Rochester PA
S-71913 44 Special 6 1/2 Blue Massachusetts
S-71916 44 Special 6 1/2 Blue Shipped 6/12/1947 6 guns in shippment to R>S Marshalls C0. Lima OH.
S-71950 44 Special 6 1/2 Blue shipped 6/1947 Cut to 4 inch non Orginal
S-71970 44 Special 6 1/2 Blue Shipped 6/12/1947 6 guns in shippment to R>S Marshalls C0. Lima OH.
S-72015 44 Special 6 1/2 Blue Built 1947 in Factory display case until 1965 Shipped

 

[ATripleJ]

So I should probably contact S&W for specific history on this one? I'm sure glad I decided to seek insight from this forum and very much appreciate the postings!

 

[gagunner 2]

glad I caught that one!

 

[Hondo44]

Good afternoon, could I get help identifying this S&W? I would like to determine its value but I couldn't determine which model it is from the bluebook as there is no model number behind the yoke and it looked to me like it could fit several of the bluebook descriptions. First post so hoping I included the relevant pictures. Thank you!

Wecome to the forum and you made a spectacular entrance with that one.
You will find it in the Blue Book under its Model name before the Model # section; ".44 Hand Ejector Third Model (Model of 1926 Hand Ejector Third Model)."

In that condition it's over $4K. Save the $50 for a factory letter, this thread already supplied more info than the letter will provide except the shipped to location, which can very occasionally be very interesting.

 

[Skeetr57]

I need to stop answering questions late at night! Not only did I misread the caliber stamping, but I totally missed the long action hammer. Sorry for the wrong info provided.

 

[ATripleJ]

Thank you all for your expertise, your knowledge and generosity are truly top notch in my opinion; what a great group! I must say that I am no expert, and when I came across a small collection of S&W's and Colts, the seller was so enthusiastic about the colts that I didn't pay a lot of attention to the S&W's, but I'm glad I didn't pass up the opportunity. They all look and feel great, and after researching a little and then stumbling upon this forum, I know where my enthusiasm will now lie. Impressed and thankful for your help.

 

[Tom K]

Thank you all for your expertise, your knowledge and generosity are truly top notch in my opinion; what a great group! I must say that I am no expert, and when I came across a small collection of S&W's and Colts, the seller was so enthusiastic about the colts that I didn't pay a lot of attention to the S&W's, but I'm glad I didn't pass up the opportunity. They all look and feel great, and after researching a little and then stumbling upon this forum, I know where my enthusiasm will now lie. Impressed and thankful for your help.

Most of us like Colts too - did you get anything else?

 

[H Richard]

I was just hoping you weren't going to say you found it at a Garage Sale and only paid $50 for it. Beautiful gun.

 

[JSR III]

I was just hoping you weren't going to say you found it at a Garage Sale and only paid $50 for it. Beautiful gun.

Actually, he said that he got it from the widow lady that lives next door for shoveling her front walk.

Welcome to the forum and way to make an entrance....

 

[ATripleJ]

Given the rarity of this one, should i contact someone to add it to the list of those known to exist? I believe there were 16, so this would be 17 give or take... Thanks again!