1880 S&W .44 ?Frontier but which one?
Question:
Please help, I need parts, but I can't order w/o info. It was my Grampa's/father/daughter(me!)and I am determined to shoot it again. I have searched for exact info on our S&W and I just can't seem to tie it down as to model. I even took it to gunshows & got conflicting info. I am sure that it is a FRONTIER (cross fingers/knees in hope i'm not showing my ignorance
... but which one? So finally I come to the guru's pleading HELP... details.. S&W .44 revolver, 6 shot, 4" barrel, pat. dates 01/17&24/65,07/11/65,08/24/69,07/28/71,12/2/79 & (finally), May 11&25 1880. Serial #1245? (anyone know of a serchable DB by serial #'s, i've searched ) If you can, bless you. If not, THANX for being here for us... No really. Thank-you guys for spending your time, well... ya know...
ps: any clue as to value for insurance, blueing approx. 85%.
Please help, I need parts, but I can't order w/o info. It was my Grampa's/father/daughter(me!)and I am determined to shoot it again. I have searched for exact info on our S&W and I just can't seem to tie it down as to model. I even took it to gunshows & got conflicting info. I am sure that it is a FRONTIER (cross fingers/knees in hope i'm not showing my ignorance
... but which one? So finally I come to the guru's pleading HELP... details.. S&W .44 revolver, 6 shot, 4" barrel, pat. dates 01/17&24/65,07/11/65,08/24/69,07/28/71,12/2/79 & (finally), May 11&25 1880. Serial #1245? (anyone know of a serchable DB by serial #'s, i've searched ) If you can, bless you. If not, THANX for being here for us... No really. Thank-you guys for spending your time, well... ya know... ps: any clue as to value for insurance, blueing approx. 85%.
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Can you post a pic? If not e-mail me and I'll post it for you.
"Aim small...Miss small"0 -
It appears from the patent dates on the barrel that your revolver is a early production version of the "44 Double Action, First Model".
If your data, re serial number & caliber/markings is correct, it would date to the early 80's.
AS the previous poster noted it would be best if you provided quality pictures, that way we would be better able to provide a better assessment of its fair market value.0 -
Hey, thanx for anwsering. But I don't have a digi camara. Is the any info I can give to help u help me? lol, ok... that didn't sound quite right but.... I have it completely broken down, so if there are any diff's in part's? Oh and I was off on the serial #, it's 12437. Oh, this might help, I just ran over to take anther look for something helpfull and I noticed this: on the frame, right in between the 2 posts that encase the rear sight, there is a 2 stamped (guk build-up covered it). Does this help any? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Shotguns101
Hey, thanx for anwsering. But I don't have a digi camara. Is the any info I can give to help u help me? lol, ok... that didn't sound quite right but.... I have it completely broken down, so if there are any diff's in part's? Oh and I was off on the serial #, it's 12437. Oh, this might help, I just ran over to take anther look for something helpfull and I noticed this: on the frame, right in between the 2 posts that encase the rear sight, there is a 2 stamped (guk build-up covered it). Does this help any?
This is the closest picture I could find on the net. Although it is similar to your 44 Double Action.0 -
You can contact S&W and they will provide you with a factory letter for $30 ... that would definately pin it down, plus give you a nice supporting document.
+++Update - Had time for a little research this morning. You've omitted mention of the revolver being single or double action. Also you've not mentioned the barrel caliber/cartridge marking. So with those limitations it's a little difficult to help you. But, here goes.
There were Frontier Models in both single and double action.
However, with the barrel patent marking you've provided it is a 44 Double Action First Model. These revolvers were mfg. from 1881-1913. Within this production period the DA Frontier Model was produced between 1886 and 1913. All frames were mfg. prior to 1899.
The Frontier Model was basically the std. DA chambered in 44-40 and it had a longer cylinder 1 and 9/16 inches) to accomodate the cartridge. Later production models were marked "44 Winchester Ctg." and the Frontier had it's own s/n range that runs from 1 to 15340.
If your revolver is not chambered in 44-40 it is not a Frontier but rather the standard 44 DA, chambered in 44 Russian which in the earlier s/n ranges (such as the one you've given) would have a 1 and 7/16 inch cylinder, and as the "Russian" cartridge head spaces on the case mouth there will be a distinct "circle" in each cylinder bore.
Value wise, w/o seeing it I would say $500-750
Without more descriptive info. and/or photos there isn't much more I can do to help you.
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
[img]C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Pictures\TRANSITIONAL\Copy of Smith and Wesson Frontier first model double action revolver in 44-40 .jpg[/img]
whew! First attemp at posting picture... Once I fig'd out I needed to convert to .jpg... Ok, well this is the closest I could find.. Hope it works. Please note that the first date on the 2nd line of pat'd looks like 88 but it is actually a 65.
[img]C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Pictures\TRANSITIONAL\Smith and Wesson Frontier first model double action revolver in 44-40 pat'd.jpg[/img]0
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