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S&W 44 Special revolver

DFTC
Several years ago I was given a S&W .44 Special revolver by my grandfather. He didn't tell me much about the gun and I didn't ask much. He's no longer living so I can't ask now. At the time I wasn't very interested in revolvers. Now I'm a little more curious. I tried doing some online research and I can't quite figure out when this revolver was made. In fact I can't even figure out what the model number is. I think 21 maybe, but it's not marked anywhere on the gun.

It's a 6 shot revolver with a 4 inch barrel.
It has fixed notch rear sight and a blued finish.
It's a N frame with a square butt. It says "SMITH & WESSON" on the left side of the barrel and "44 S. & W. SPECIAL CTG" on the right side of the barrel.
The serial number is printed on the bottom of the grip and has a letter "S" printed in front of it. The number is "105XXX" (last three x'd out for security). The same serial number is printed behind the plunger that is used to eject the spent cases (probably not the correct terminology)

I know there are books I could get, and even a service provided by Smith and Wesson, but those cost around 50 dollars and all I want to know is how old this gun is. It doesn't seem like it's worth 50 dollars to find that out.
If anyone knows an approximate age (or even the correct model number) that would be a great help to me.

P.S. I'm not planning on selling this gun, regardless of it's value.
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Comments

7 comments

Date Votes
  • tjh1948
    Did you telephone S & W with the SN?

    It is my understanding that the $50 charge is for a letter.
    They can give you an approximate manufacture date from the SN & it is free.
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  • rufe-snow
    1954/55, according to the S & W Book.
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  • 22hipower
    I think you might want to spend the money for the S&W letter especially if the gun is in very good condition. Pictures would help a lot, but it sounds as though you have a pre-model 21(Model of 1950 .44 Military). Those are relatively rare and very collectable; in the $2000+ range if in great condition. Would really like to see pictures.
    Meant to include probable manufacture date; 1954/1955.
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  • cussedemgun
    DFTC,

    Per the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, your gun was made c. 1954-1955 and as such was before 1957 when S&W began using model numbers.

    Your gun is "The .44 Hand Ejector 4th Model Military (aka Model of 1950 .44 Military) pre-Model 21"

    The book says:

    Exc $3000
    VG $1000
    Good $650
    Fair $450


    Jim
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  • DFTC
    Thank you all. Those were some quick replies. I really do appreciate it.

    I'm not any kind of expert at estimating the condition of the gun. It looks pretty good to me. I only see one place where the bluing is a little faded, and the bore and cylinders look nice and new. My wife has the digital camera right now and she's not around, so I can't post a picture, but I might do that later if people are really interested.

    However, I'm not planning on selling the gun so the condition and monetary value doesn't matter too much to me, other than as a point of interest.
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  • 22hipower
    I wouldn't sell it either. Keep it and pass it along to your grand son some day. I have a four inch in nickel; great shooters too and you won't hurt it by shooting it occasionally. If you want a S&W factory letter you can get one by writing to Roy G. Jinks, Historian, Smith & Wesson, PO Box 2208, Springfield, MA 01102. Include as much information as you can about the gun and pictures if possible. The letter will confirm when it was made and where it was originally shipped to; $50 but worth it. You might want to check and see if the serial number is also stamped on the inside of one of the grips. Not a big deal, just confirms they are original to the gun and does add to value. Later S&W grips aren't stamped with the SN but they were in the '50s.
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  • shilowar
    If you go to the S&W website you can download and print an application. I did it on a Model 29 2 years ago and the letter I received was very nice looking, detailed and notorized by the S&W Historian. It was definitely worth it. They will tell you when the gun left the factory and to what Distributor the gun was delivered too....assuming they have that record.
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