SW44 Hand Ejector First Model condition/value

[homer49]

I have what appears to be a S&W .44 Special Hand Ejector 1st Model.
S/N 3369
I believe its a 7.5" barrel (see photos)
I got it from my grandfather (who I never met) by way of my uncle. It's been sitting around for 20 years or so. I have fired it a couple of times - works fine. It does have wear to the bluing from being in a leather holster and the grips have some damage. Wondering what it might be worth. I'm probably interested in selling it.

 

[murphydog]

You have the ID correct; it is also known as a "Triple Lock" because of the three cylinder/yoke locking points. It is a fairly scarce gun, and the unusual 7.5" barrel makes it even more so.

If the gun has any family history or sentimental value to you I would advise against selling it, and I will defer to others as to its value. Good luck in your decision.

 

[markggtp]

Brace yourself !!!

 

[Doc44]

It looks like a 6 1/2-inch barrel to me, but if you measured from the face of the cylinder to the end of the barrel and it's 7 1/2 inches, then it is rare. Based on condition, I would estimate its value (in round numbers) at $1,000, but the barrel length could change all of that and someone who knows more about the Triple Lock can advise you.

Bill

 

[Memphis]

VERY nice gun with great collector appeal. I've always wanted one but never found it yet. Even though I've see a few pics (on this forum) of others with that barrel length I still think that is special too.
I'm not really qualified to predict a value but there are others that should be along soon who are.
You've come to the right place. And thanks for showing it to us.

Roger
SWCA#2175

 

[homer49]

I neglected to measure the barrel, so I'm guessing. I take it that a 6.5" barrel would lower the value.

 

[gaucho1]

It's that a 71/2" could raise the value

If you have any interest in firearms......keep it.

If not, this is the place for an honest and fair valuation.

Nice Triplelock.....I would love to have one like it

 

[Hondo44]

Welcome to this forum!

Mine are both 6 1/2" and the proportion looks the same as yours.

This is the kind of S&W that all collectors only dream about inheriting. New in the box, a rare barrel length and the original receipt would be even better.

 

[Rick Bowles]

I Think it's worth $1,000.00 cause I'll give him $1,000.00 plus shipping for it!

 

[moosedog]

It appears to be an honest condition triple lock and is worth a good sum.
Very collectible and will always be worth more in the future.
Sounds like you just got it, so I would recommend that you research it very well and consider NOT selling it as you will always come up with money, but once that gun is gone from the family..........it's not coming back.
Was your Grandfather in Law Enforcement or the Military?

 

[Sebago Son]

New Century Value....

Just to give you some solid idea of value, I recently turned down a solid, cash in hand offer of $2000 for this .44 Special New Century.



It's a 6 1/2" gun and I bet yours is too!

 

[OldDominion]

Nice honest wear Triple Lock you have there. From what I can see in the posted photos, there is some damage to the stocks, so that will take some value off. Still, it appears to have the original finish which is desirable. If you decide to sell it, take your time and do some research.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

I'm no Triple Lock expert, but I do have one. No one has mentioned this yet because the gun alone is so hard to come by, but the stocks on your gun should look like the ones in the post by Sebago Son.

That gun is easily worth $1K and I'd say probably a lot more.
If you are into all the latest plastic wonder auto's, that's fine, but they can't hold candle to one of, if not the finest revolvers ever built. The TL will only go up in value so please reconsider selling it. It's a tie to your grandpa whether you met him or not, and as already said, once it's gone, it's gone. Plus, you could look at it like a sound financial investment, especially in that condition.

A quick pile of cash in the hand will be gone all to quickly as well, and for all you know, you may become extremely interested in guns like that in the future and will rue the day you sold this one if you do.

 

[homer49]

I verified that my gun does have a 6.5" barrel.

 

[cgt4570]

Here's a pic of my 7.5" target sighted triple lock. Btw, if your is an early gun, then the concave non-medallion grips it has on it are correct and most likely original.

 

[weatherby]

Is there someone in the family That might be interested in it ?

 

[jsfricks]

As others said, give it a lot of thought before selling it. That would be a good one to keep in the family for generations. If you sell it a year from now you'll have forgotten what you spent the money on.

 

[beagleye]

I sold one that made that look like the home-coming-safe-queen for almost 800, Im pretty sure yours is worth well over a grand, but I will leave specifics to someone more knowledgey.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Here's a pic of my 7.5" target sighted triple lock. Btw, if your is an early gun, then the concave non-medallion grips it has on it are correct and most likely original.

That's not correct from everything I've learned or been told by Roy, Lee and others here. My serial number isn't that much higher than the OP's andmy letter states that it came with medallion stocks. The early second models came with non medallion stocks though. The SCSW 3rd says medalllion stocks for the HE 1st.

If you have a source for the info you posted, I would sure like to learn from it.

EDITED TO ADD:
Thanks to a kind member who sent me a link to a thread that was posted while I was away from the forum, I see where you might have gotten that info regarding the non medallion stocks. I still believe however, that the OP's number would be too high for the non medallion stocks to be correct.

 

[Muley Gil]

The SCSW 3rd states on page 21 that the medallion grips came into being around 1910 for the K frame revolvers and a little later for the N frames. Page 397 indicates that the OP's revolver probably shipped in 1909.

A factory letter may show which grips it shipped with or possibly the penciled serial number is still visable.