The Letter is here on .44 2nd Model

[Kansasgunner]

I just received the letter for the .44 2nd Model that followed me home from the Symposium.
It is one of five ordered for the Blytheville, Arkansas Police Department in January 1925. Several pieces of correspondence were included detailing the order and confirmation. I found this very interesting and hope you all do as well.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[quinn]

Tim, what an intesting letter and docs. Great find. I don't think I've ever seen a 5 inch second model in real life. Apparently, I missed seeing it at the symposium. Congrats.

 

[Gdogman]

Nice find Tim....I missed it was well.

 

[Muley Gil]

Those of us that lust after pre WW II .44 Specials are aware that S&W built 4" Triple Locks and 4" 1926 models. While the catalogues list 4" 2nd Model .44s, none reem to have surfaced.

My thoughts are that this letter from S&W to Brown Hardware Company in January 1925 would indicate that, at least at this point in time, the 4" barrel on a 2nd model wasn't available.

 

[DARE]

Tim, congrats on your purchase and documentation. Always exciting to get LEO guns.

Well, you guys actually missed two of them. Here is mine that was also at Glendale. Also a LEO gun. Went to a deputy sheriff in Potter County Texas. Shipped in June 1926.

 

[shown50]

Great looking gun! The order request and response are very interesting, I wonder if the factory was out of 4" barrels? The SWHF letter states they were available and according to the request they were listed in the catalogue so it's strange they weren't available for purchase.

Here's my .44 2nd model I'm waiting on a letter for it. I believe it's refinished in nickel and the sights added later along with the DW King Cockeyed hammer and short action job.

 

[Muley Gil]

Great looking gun! The order request and response are very interesting, I wonder if the factory was out of 4" barrels? The SWHF letter states they were available and according to the request they were listed in the catalogue so it's strange they weren't available for purchase.

Here's my .44 2nd model I'm waiting on a letter for it. I believe it's refinished in nickel and the sights added later along with the DW King Cockeyed hammer and short action job.

Yes, 4" barrels were listed in the catalogs of the day. However, none have appeared in the flesh (steel???). So, were ANY 4" 2nd models ever built? I have seen many, many 6 1/2"ers, a few 5"ers, but never a 4".

 

[Kansasgunner]

I've handled two four inch second model's in the last 2 or 3 years. Both were at the big Tulsa show. One was very nice and well out of my price range, couldn't get a deal done on the other one.

 

[Muley Gil]

I've handled two four inch second model's in the last 2 or 3 years. Both were at the big Tulsa show. One was very nice and well out of my price range, couldn't get a deal done on the other one.

Were they lettered? Any photos?

 

[Kansasgunner]

I didn't think to take photos. Don't remember if either were lettered.

 

[handejector]

Yes, 4" barrels were listed in the catalogs of the day. However, none have appeared in the flesh (steel???). So, were ANY 4" 2nd models ever built? I have seen many, many 6 1/2"ers, a few 5"ers, but never a 4".

Catalog D which came out in 1917 is the ONLY catalog that lists a 4 inch 44-2nd.
Unfortunately, I do not have a price list for Catalog D, so I do not know if it listed the 4 inch.
Catalog D-1 came out in August, 1919 when the Factory was trying to get over the nationalization of the business and get back into civilian production. It does not have the N frame in it!
Catalog D-2 came out in Jan, 1921. It shows the 44 as available in 6-1/2 inch only. The Price List only shows the 6-1/2 inch. First catalog to list the Mod 1917.
Catalog D-3 came out in 1923. It shows the 44 as available in 6-1/2 inch only. My March 1, 1923 Price list only shows the 6-1/2 inch.
Catalog D-4 came out in 1925. It shows the 44 as available in 6-1/2 inch only, but the April, 1925 Price List shows 5 inch and 6-1/2 inch.

I went through my other catalogs, and I have them all from 1900-1941, and the 44-2nd was never offered again in a 4 inch.

I've handled two four inch second model's in the last 2 or 3 years. Both were at the big Tulsa show. One was very nice and well out of my price range, couldn't get a deal done on the other one.

Are you sure, my friend? I've known you a long time, and
I know you are credible, but you are the FIRST person I have ever heard say they have seen one! This mythical beast has been discussed here for many years. Back when Dick Burg was actively chasing 44s like I was, we talked a lot about them. Neither of us had ever heard a credible report of one. We could not find anyone who had ever talked to anyone who had seen one!

 

[Kansasgunner]

Lee I certainly could be mistaken. I trust your experience more than my fuzzy memory!
I was wrong, both guns were 5 inch barrels. My sincere apologies.

 

[The Gila Bender]

Early in my obsession with nearly unobtainable pre-1950 N-frames I came across not one but two examples of the 5" 2nd Model .44 Military. #24432 is a round-top shipped 12/08/26 to Belknap Hardware, Louisville, KY. It arrived with modern S&W service stocks that were quickly replaced with Ken's (bigmtnman) elk stags. #53289 is a flat-top with matching magnas shipped 09/29/37 to Constable H.O. Forfifth, Ft. Pierce, FL (photo by Lee).
Fun fact: the 5-inch 2nd model is lighter than the .38/44 Heavy Duty and the modern (1989-1990's) Mountain Revolver/Mountain Gun.