Pre 29 4 inch Nickel 1957

[Xfuzz]

Picked it up today.
1957 44 mag. 4inch nickel.
Clues indicate it went back to the mothership in 3/72...stamped on the left grip frame.
Factory letter somewhat indicates the same....returned for a factory nickel finish.
Very good condition grips are outstanding.

 

[Truckman]

March21, 1957 ship date to Texas Sporting Goods in Houston makes it one of the earliest...Nice score, Howie......Ben

 

[blackdeuce]

Very nice!

 

[Retired W4]

I would think there would be a diamond or 5 pointed star and R-N near the 3 72 stamp on the lower left grip frame. Nice 4" 44 Magnum.

 

[ms]

The letter doesn't directly state that it got the nickel at S&W, just that it originally left as a blue gun. Without factory refinish stamps, I'm skeptical. I've seen other letters that state factory refinish, but I'm certainly not expert. Does anyone here know if the letter would have clearly stated a factory refinish if it had one?

 

[Truckman]

Does anyone here know if the letter would have clearly stated a factory refinish if it had one?

A deep dive "might" come up with additional documentation...But not always (to my great regret)......Ben

 

[Engine49guy]

Very nice !
Yours has the 2nd highest four inch 5 screw serial in my database to date.

Ps, Id think the nickel was done by SW solely based on the fact that they removed the fs ramp to do it.
A local gunsmith probably would have nickeled the ramp and redid the insert but thats just speculation.

 

[Xfuzz]

"We have enclosed a copy of the invoice for your records".
Last line is what made me think it might be a factory refinish.

 

[Truckman]

"We have enclosed a copy of the invoice for your records".
Last line is what made me think it might be a factory refinish.

That likely referred to the original shipping invoice, Howie...I suggest asking Mike Helms for a deep dive into company records (you don't mind waiting until he finishes my current 60 requests do you?)......Ben

 

[toroflow1]

Beautiful! Here's it's brother nickel #S170843