While I was away.....

[Chukar60]

A couple months ago I was looking through local gun classifieds and came across a modified 2nd model 44 HE. The barrel looked to be cut to 3 1/2”. Looked shorter than 4” ending just ahead of the ejector. There was a rib, Baughman front sight and adjustable rear sight added.
The price was too high to interest me. IIRC, it was $800.00.
While I was away at the ranch getting it ready for bird season, I looked through the classifieds one evening and there it was again, this time listed at $500.00. No way I could get away and go have a look. I prayed that it would last until today when I got back home.
No luck. It was gone when I checked again.
This is a unique gun and not likely to have attracted a casual shooter’s interest. At that price, if it checked out mechanically and the work done well, I would have bought it in a heartbeat, maybe quicker.
I was hoping a local forum member grabbed it so I could at least see some good pictures of what I missed out on.
So far nothing has showed here for it.
Why does all the neat stuff show up when I cannot get to it?

 

[Hondo44]

I've had that problem before. Now I depend on a surrogate buyer if I'm not where I need to be so I can buy something. A gun buddy, brother, dad, etc. And I'm their surrogate when needed.

 

[Chukar60]

I've had that problem before. Now I depend on a surrogate buyer if I'm not where I need to be so I can buy something. A gun buddy, brother, dad, etc. And I'm their surrogate when needed.

That is a real good idea. However, I dont have any friends who are into guns enough to make qualified opinions on mechanical condition and quality of work for modifications.
Maybe I should broaden my circle of friends?

 

[Hawg Rider]

Didn't miss out on mine

I had a similar experience a few years ago with a .44 HE 3rd Model (1926). I saw it a a local gun show and was going to pass on it, but had to come back for a second look and a little horse trading. It is a W&K 4" nickel 3rd Model, that, like yours, had a ramp and Baughman sight added probably in the late 1930s or 1940s (?). It was re-nickeled, was wearing the wrong stocks, but it was in a wooden presentation case and was lettered by Mr. Jinks. According to the letter, it was part of the May 3, 1927 shipment to W&K of 80 units- 20 of them were nickel 4" bbl. I probably overpaid at $900, but figured the box and letter were worth at least $200. Pat Grashorn made me some elk stag stocks, Ford's did a little tune-up, and now it's my BBQ gun. Sorry you missed out on yours, Chukar60.

 

[mtgianni]

I didn't see it but would have driven at least as far South as Pocatello if I had. Tough to turn down a 3 1/2" N frame.

 

[delta-419]

Custom 44s

Modified guns are everywhere! Use/abuse coupled with age and personal desire to have something different often produce interesting results. Guns that are no longer collector items and relegated to parts dealers often become works of art. Here are three S&W 44 specials that have received such treatment: a triple lock shortened with Micro front and rear sights; a 2nd model that had the frame cut for a target sight (so we made a target gun out of it); and an MKII frame with a cut barrel (.455) and no lockwork . We built it from scratch. They are great shooters, the N frames are the way to go.

 

[Muley Gil]

HR, was the barrel numbered to the frame? Any other markings on the grip frame?

 

[29aholic]

I have been looking for another 2nd Model to go with the one I have that's been modified.

 

[Jessie]

Next time give an offer and a phone number.

 

[Sistema1927]

I've had that problem before. Now I depend on a surrogate buyer if I'm not where I need to be so I can buy something. A gun buddy, brother, dad, etc. And I'm their surrogate when needed.

Maybe I read this wrong, but you are not suggesting a straw purchase are you? (Buying for someone else, not a gift.)

 

[austintexas]

Years ago I got into a .44 Special buying cycle and stumbled on a Second model 4 inch that someone put adjustable sights and patridge front sight. It was $400 and I picked it up even if it wasn't collector material. I pick up orphans because they are cheap and believe it or not they also appreciate in value. When I'm killing paper the target doesn't know if I'm shooting a collectible revolver or not.
SWCA 892

 

[Chukar60]

Maybe I read this wrong, but you are not suggesting a straw purchase are you? (Buying for someone else, not a gift.)

All depends on where you live.
Here in the free state of Idaho we can do private party to private party transactions without any 4473 forms or other forms of oversight by the state or federal folks.
So as long as you are buying from a private party and not using an FFL there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a surrogate buyer.
Living in Podunk has it’s advantages

 

[Sistema1927]

All depends on where you live.
Here in the free state of Idaho we can do private party to private party transactions without any 4473 forms or other forms of oversight by the state or federal folks.
So as long as you are buying from a private party and not using an FFL there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a surrogate buyer.
Living in Podunk has it’s advantages

Gotcha, however, if an FFL is advertising a particular firearm, and you can't get there to buy it, having a surrogate buyer may just net you some time at "Club Fed".

Until this year, we here in NM could engage in face to face transfers, but our "betters" decided that we couldn't be trusted and implemented UBC. So, unfortunately, all legal transfers now need to go through an FFL. It used to be nice to live in free America.

 

[Hondo44]

Maybe I read this wrong, but you are not suggesting a straw purchase are you? (Buying for someone else, not a gift.)

You didn't read it wrong but making incorrect assumptions; using a surrogate is not a straw purchase! Someone to pay for the gun and close the deal if it needs to be registered. Or buy it and provide true owner I.D. if it's a private transfer in a state not requiring registration for that type of sale.

 

[H Richard]

Even here in Legal burdened Illinois, we can do a transfer person to person by a simple on line inq to the ISP with the buyers FOID # and get an instant approval.

 

[Dieseltech56]

In PA we can’t do anything. I can’t buy a handgun from my brother without a background check and transfer at the dealer