The 9mm Automatic Pistol (Single Action)

[DARE]

The 9mm Automatic Pistol (Single Action)
Saw a listing for this in the S&W 1956 AMC (All Model Circular).
When model numbers were assigned it became the Model 44. Think I read that only 10 were produced.
It was in the January 1956 S&W catalog priced at $65. It was in the catalog until March 1958. They were hoping for police and military orders, but none were forthcoming. Officially discontinued in August 1959.
A rare bird.

 

[hoytx10]

Definitely a rare bird. I’ve never seen one in the wild myself let alone even a real picture of one. I see that the drawing depicts it with having similar safety lever and left grip panel as a pre model 39. The trigger and action is obviously different from a pre 39. I wonder if they were were more accurate than a model 39 and fitted with a better barrel?

 

[cougar015]

While I have heard there were 10 made I can only verify s/n's of 7 so far. One just sold on Amoskeag for $36,000.00. That's the main reason I don't own one,

https://live.amoskeagauction.com/lot-details/index/catalog/125/lot/89566/Exceptionally-Rare-Experimental-Smith-Wesson-Model-44-Single-Action-Semi-Auto-Pistol?url=%2Fmy-items%2Fwatchlist

 

[DARE]

Very cool, Rich. Thanks for posting that. X134. Loved seeing the photos. I guess they were all X guns?

 

[cougar015]

Dave,
There were also 7 guns that were not X guns. I have a list of those S/N's

 

[DARE]

Rich,
Looked at the database tonight. Did not see any X guns. Saw the 7 Model 44s and their numbers.

 

[Sevens]

Did this recent auction show decent pictures of the $36,000 Model 44?

You know it’s rare when the thread is opened regarding its appearance in a sales catalog and the only picture is an artist’s rendering!

 

[cougar015]

Rich,
Looked at the database tonight. Did not see any X guns. Saw the 7 Model 44s and their numbers.

Dave, the X guns are not in the SWCA database. Maybe the should be.

 

[cougar015]

Did this recent auction show decent pictures of the $36,000 Model 44?

You know it’s rare when the thread is opened regarding its appearance in a sales catalog and the only picture is an artist’s rendering!

Sevens, there was a great picture of it in the auction catalog and It also came from a longtime S&W collector. Better than that, I am at the SWCA Symposium in Concord NC and the buyer is here and he actually let me hold the gun. That's about as good as it gets.

 

[robertrwalsh]

They are, I understand, generally considered to be the rarest of all catalogued S&W products. The Model 73 revolver was numerically more rare I hear but I don't think it was ever catalogued.

 

[Sevens]

Is the Model 73 the infamous .30 Carbine double action revolver?

 

[Sevens]

the buyer is here and he actually let me hold the gun. That's about as good as it gets.

I would be extremely curious about what that single action trigger pull feels like but I cannot imagine that your excellent experience went quite THAT far…!

 

[cougar015]

I would be extremely curious about what that single action trigger pull feels like but I cannot imagine that your excellent experience went quite THAT far…!

I am also curious as to the trigger pull but I didn't get that far. Maybe today.

 

[cougar015]

One of the great things about the symposium is seeing and learning new information. To that effect, I stumbled across a second M44 with a s/n, 1210, that is NOT in my database yet it is clearly stamped leaving no doubt as to what it is. it's also for sale! This increases my list of known M44 guns to 8. Full disclosure their is a 3rd M44 s/n 1214 here. That's 3 out of 15 that we know of in the same place, what a small world.

 

[robertrwalsh]

The Model 73 was an attempt by S&W to compete directly against the Colt D.S. The frame was slightly larger than the J but slightly smaller than the K. It held six rounds of .38 special. They produced 5,000 frames but only ten guns. There were engineering problems and getting them to run was a huge issue. Five of the ten were given to employees at S&W. The other five were eventually sold at auction. The frames were destroyed so while 5,000 FRAMES were produced only ten GUNS were actually assembled. I hadn't even heard about this weapon until I read about it recently. I am pretty sure I read about it here on this forum.

 

[DARE]

Rich, wow! 3 of 15 at the Symposium.
Please encourage these folks to make a thread on their guns or contribute to this one. Think a bunch of us would appreciate whatever details they are willing to share.

 

[cmj8591]

The Model 73 was an attempt by S&W to compete directly against the Colt D.S. The frame was slightly larger than the J but slightly smaller than the K. It held six rounds of .38 special. They produced 5,000 frames but only ten guns. There were engineering problems and getting them to run was a huge issue. Five of the ten were given to employees at S&W. The other five were eventually sold at auction. The frames were destroyed so while 5,000 FRAMES were produced only ten GUNS were actually assembled. I hadn't even heard about this weapon until I read about it recently. I am pretty sure I read about it here on this forum.

I think they called that the "C" frame. I recall that it is listed in the Standard Catalog but I don't have it available to check right now.

 

[biku324]

While I have heard there were 10 made I can only verify s/n's of 7 so far. One just sold on Amoskeag for $36,000.00. That's the main reason I don't own one,

https://live.amoskeagauction.com/lot-details/index/catalog/125/lot/89566/Exceptionally-Rare-Experimental-Smith-Wesson-Model-44-Single-Action-Semi-Auto-Pistol?url=%2Fmy-items%2Fwatchlist

I learn something interesting here every day.

 

[cougar015]

Rich, wow! 3 of 15 at the Symposium.
Please encourage these folks to make a thread on their guns or contribute to this one. Think a bunch of us would appreciate whatever details they are willing to share.

Dave,
1210, 1214 and X134 are all owned by the same person and I don't believe he posts on the forum. I will continue to get pictures and get as much information on all three guns. s/n 2010 was offered to me for sale. I need to start a go fund me page to do that LOL

 

[demkofour]

Is the Model 73 the infamous .30 Carbine double action revolver?

M

Thread 'One of 10 survivors of 5000 C-frame 2" Model 73 revolvers'

May 29, 2025

The C-frame was sized between a J frame, and a K-frame; something very close to a Colt Detective Special. In 1973, S&W had plans to produce a competitive revolver to the Detective Special. The patent took almost 2 years to acquire. The new gun was designated a Model 73, and the serial numbers began with P. Apparently parts for 5000 guns were made, but the assemblers ran into problems building the guns. A complete redesign was prepared, but apparently was too expensive to produce. Ultimately, in about 1978, a decision was made to terminate the project. 10 guns were produced; all the...

• mikepriwer
• Replies: 23
• Forum: S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961

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