Old Smith & Wesson Revolver questions

[boogalou]

I know almost nothing about old wheelguns, so perhaps someone here can be of help.

My Grandfather had a old Smith & Wesson with a caliber of .44-40, 6-inch barrel and a s/n of 90**. When He passed away in 1968 my Uncle inherited the gun. My Father just called me up from Texas (my parents & Aunt & Uncle are snowbirding down there) and wanted to know if I could do some research on how much this gun is worth. My Dad thinks it was purchased around the mid 1940's and it has a chrome finish, although He said the finish is flaking off in some places and there is slight pitting in the barrel. Anyone have any thoughts? If you need more info, let me know and I'll give him a call. Thanks in advance.

 

[Jim Watson]

Top-break or swing-out cylinder?
If top-break, single action or double action?
Exactly six inch barrel or 6 1/2?
If six, original or showing signs of having been cut off?

Are you SURE it is a .44-40 and not .44 Russian or Special?
(If a top break is the cylinder 1 9/16 inch long?)

The most common S&W .44-40 is the top-break Double Action Frontier, 15,000+ made from 1881 to 1913. Worth very roughly $400-$500.

 

[boogalou]

Jim - I didn't think 44-40 was right for the caliber. Talked to my Dad and here is his info to your questions.

Gun is a DA .44 special with swing-out cylinder with 6" barrel. My Dad now thinks the gun is nickle plated, if that makes any difference.

 

[Mike Irwin]

A 4-digit serial number, IF your father got the serial number from the right spot on the gun, would put it as being made in late 1911.

This would make it a .44 Hand Ejector, First Model, also known as the New Century, Triple Lock, or Model of 1908.

Now, what I said about the serial number.

If he took the 4 digits off the face of the cylinder, that's probably not the serial number.

The serial number will be stamped on the bottom of the grip frame. He may have to take the grips off to see it.

If it IS a 4-digit gun, in pristine shape, with box and papers, it's a legitimate $2,000 gun.

However, no box, 95% condition, you're back to about $1,000.

Interestingly, this gun was made in .44-40 and a number of other calibers, but these are EXCEEDINGLY rare. A .44-40 Triple Lock in 95% condition could easily fetch $1,500 or more.

The barrel should be 6.5", not 6". He needs to measure from the very muzzle to the rear of the barrel (the forcing cone).

 

[boogalou]

Mike - Thanks so much for your information. I just talked to my Dad and confirmed that the s/n came off the bottom of the grip frame and that the barrel is indeed 6.5" long, so the gun is a definite curio & relic. My Dad did say that he remembers his Father buying this gun and a .38 special S&W the same day from a dealer. My Uncle acts like He wants to sell it. I have a C&R license but have collected only Semi-autos. Besides the value to me as a family heirloom, would this be a nice gun to own in its own right? Like I said, I know almost nothing about old wheelguns, so your comments would be much appreciated.

 

[Mike Irwin]

"Would this be a nice gun to own in its own right..."

You're kidding, right?

I'd give my freaking eye teeth, upper AND lower, to have an S&W Triple Lock with a 4-digit serial number!

Among S&W collectors and afficionados, the Triple Locks are considered to be the finest S&W revolvers, and among the finest American handguns, ever made.

That it was your Grandfather's gun only adds icing to the cake.

I sincerely doubt that your family would have any problem selling this gun, but if you want to keep it in the family, make a play for it now.

Even with the flaking finish and the pitted bore it's still a very desirable gun. If you decide to shoot it, keep the loads mild.

Oh, yeah, forgot to mention....

If it has adjustable sights and a square back front sight (Patridge) instead of the traditional half-moon front sight, double the prices I gave you.

 

[boogalou]

Mike - Well...... I told you I didn't know anything about old wheelguns.

I found a pic of one on Gunbroker that someone is selling, boy! what a horse pistol!!

I'll have to talk to my Uncle about this, maybe I'll offer him a sweet deal.

Thanks again, Mike, its really nice when you can ask about a old gun and get the info you need before the day is done.

Regards, Birt

 

[Mike Irwin]

Yeah, they are big. No doubt about it.

But when you hold one in your hand, you KNOW it.

One thing...

It's called the Triple Lock for a special reason.

Most S&W revolvers lock up at the rear of the cylinder, and at the front of the ejector rod.

The Triple Lock added a third locking point, a lug just ahead of the cylinder on the crane. This third locking point made for much more solid lockup and alignment.

Only about 15,000 were made, one of the reasons why it was so desirable.

The Triple Lock was, I believe, also the first S&W Hand Ejector revolver to have an ejector rod shroud under the barrel.

When WW I started, S&W began getting lots of orders from Britain and Canada for handguns. S&W made several thousand in a separate serial number range chambered in .455 Webley, the British Service Round at the time, that had the shroud and the Triple Lock feature, but reports coming back from the front said that these features were, in the trenches, a liability.

Based on this, S&W dropped the ejector rod shroud and the Triple Lock on Second Model guns.

That one on Gun Broker is from the first series that was sent to Great Britain. It's a pity that it was converted to .45 ACP, but that's not uncommon at all.

Those fake pearl plastic grips have GOT to go, though. Christ.

I was offered a similar gun, but with the correct grips AND the proper Canadian Holster, at a gun show several years ago. The guy wanted $450 for it. Had it been in .455 I would have scooped it up at that price, but I just couldn't bring myself to part with the money with it having been converted.

Oh I so want a Triple Lock!