[Bob79]

I'm looking at picking up a S&W revolver in .44 in the next several months. Probably a magnum model, but maybe even one chambered in .44 special if the right deal came along. I just want to pick up a big bore smith with no lock while they are still available.

I've been trying to keep an eye out on gunbroker and gunsamerica, but I don't know all the model numbers. So if you guys could list the model numbers to assist me in my search I'd really appreciate it. Thank you.

[Old Fuff]

The most common S&W .44 is the model 29/.44 Magnum (model 629 in stainless steel). A similar, but lighter .44 Special was cataloged as the model 24 (624 in stainless). Pre-World War Two revolvers were simply called .44 (Special) Hand Ejectors. These will usually pull down some fancy prices, and I suspect they aren't what you are looking for. There are others, mostly made as limited issue Performance Center or special short-runs for key distributors, but you'll have to cover these on a case-by-case basis.

[Majic]

There was also the Model 21, Model 696, Model 296, Model 396 which were all .44 Specials and the Model 329 which is a .44 Magnum.

[SnWnMe]

Just a bit more FYI:

29-3E, 29-4 and for SS, 629-2E, 629-3 and higher dash numbers have the engineering changes deemed desirable if the gun is to be shot alot. Smith ignored these problems uncovered by silhouette shooters until the Brits (of all owners) took over and addressed these issues.

Depending on condition, pre war and Hellstrom era 44 Smiths will set you back from several hundred to several thousand bills.