"Prototype" 44 Magnum

[Doc44]

Onomea...I have six Colts...a 1911 reissue, my Dad's 1911A1 he carried in WWII, a Frontier Scout in nickel with case, a 1964 Python (great shooter), a third generation Class A-engraved SAA 44 Special with one piece ivory stocks, and a third generation SAA 44 Special that I shoot.

Really....I rarely have met a S&W, Ruger, Colt, or Sig that I didn't like. Browning is my rifle of choice and Benelli/Browning are my shotguns of choice.

Bill

 

[pistolero]

Bill, was wondering what your take is on the three consecutive serial- numbered pre model 29s at auction at present by wimers in oregon. i suppose you are aware of the seemingly astronomical asking price.
thanks, pistolero

 

[NT430]

Doc44...coincidently...I have my Dad's Browning A-5 he purchased from the factory while stationed in Leige with the 76th General Hospital during the "Battle of the Bulge"..
He paid $29 and skipped the Gold Inlay for an additional $5 - too much at that time....

(Mr. Pistolero: Even Mr. Wimer couldn't put a price on it!)

 

[Doc44]

Pistolero...The three 44 Magnums with consecutive serial numbers would be a nice set, but the guns were not shipped as a consecutive set and are overpriced in my opinion. I can't recall the price, but $15,000 would be tops unless a collector just had to have them. The guns have serial numbers in the S130000 range, but were not shipped particularly early. One was shipped in June 1956, if I remember correctly.

Bill

 

[Doc44]

Pre-64...My Dad was a First Sergeant with the Coast Artillery and then transferred to the 28th Infantry Division. He served from 1941 through most of 1945. After the war ended in Europe, he was shipped back to the U.S. for redeployment to the pacific theatre, but before that happened, the Japanese surrendered and he was discharged. He joined the Army in early 1941 with the idea of serve your year and get out, but that year turned into almost five years.

Bill

 

[Texas Star]

Well, these guns sure look better today than does Colt Peacemaker No. 1!

Fantastic photos, too! Thanks for sharing!

T-Star

 

[pistolero]

Pistolero...The three 44 Magnums with consecutive serial numbers would be a nice set, but the guns were not shipped as a consecutive set and are overpriced in my opinion. I can't recall the price, but $15,000 would be tops unless a collector just had to have them. The guns have serial numbers in the S130000 range, but were not shipped particularly early. One was shipped in June 1956, if I remember correctly.

Bill

Bill, wimer's is asking $ 24995 for the set, incredibly enough. that may very well be the high water mark pricewise on a collectible gun (s)he has for sale , best i can recall.

 

[ElToro]

wow.
just wow.
i cant think of anything else to say but, thanks for being at the front of the pack for this segment of S&W history that many people share with you. thanks for sharing and preserving the knowledge

 

[shawn mccarver]

During development of the 44 Magnum cartridge, S&W realized the 1950 style target revolver was too light and recoil was severe when firing this model with the new magnum cartridge. In January 1955, the company built several prototypes. These guns featured a heavy barrel and were built in S&W's tool room. The guns were to be cased and featured S&W's small logo on the left side of the frame (this was later changed to the large logo on the side plate). Several of these guns were used for testing and the one shown below with serial number S121836 was used as a shown sample revolver. It was kept in the tool room collection for many years before being sold by S&W.

Those of you who have factory letters on a 44 Magnum know that Roy indicates in his background material that S121836 is "the first 44 Magnum".

Bill

I am proud to be a member of the S&WCA and this forum, and am always amazed at the quality of the things that members of the association and this forum share with the rest of us. Thank you for allowing us to share these beautiful guns with us!

Shawn McCarver

 

[AlHunt]

I bet the pictures in this thread were pretty nice a dozen years ago. This is why 3rd party photo hosting sucks. Looks like they were on fototime.

 

[Doc44]

Reposted photo of "Prototype" 44 Magnum, S121836. Click on the photo for a better look.

Bill

 

[AlHunt]

Reposted photo of "Prototype" 44 Magnum, S121836. Click on the photo for a better look.

Bill

Thank you. Fantastic. I've been trolling the Notable Threads.

 

[series guy]

Back in the development days of the .44 Magnum I wonder if any of those involved could fathom the continued interest and fascination this gun would attract. Even 60 plus years later.