Need help to ID S&W Revolver before I trade for it.

[breeze]

I came across this S&W revolver and it has no model number on it. On top of the barrel it says Smith and Wesson, Springfield Mass, USA. Patented Dec 17 1901 - Feb 6 1908, Sept 14 1909. On the side of the barrel it says 44 S&W special ctg. Above the trigger guard it has Made in USA. The only number markings are W 64272. The pictures are not very good, but it is all I have. Thanks for any help.

 

[Jim Watson]

S&W .44 Second Model Hand Ejector. Made from 1915 until 1940. (They didn't get model numbers until 1957, before that, they had real names.)

A very desirable revolver.

 

[breeze]

S&W

Thanks for the info. Any idea of what the value of this may be? I am pretty sure it has been re-blued. I am asking only because a person wants to trade me for another gun. Thanks again. Bruce

 

[breeze]

S&W

What I am asking is that I am trading a $600 gun for it. Would it be worth the trade? Thanks.

 

[cerberus65]

I don't think there's enough info to really put a value on it. I agree with Jim that it looks like a .44 HE 2nd Model. That's the only model that didn't have an ejector shroud. The barrel doesn't look quite long enough to be the standard 6-1/2 in. barrel. But it doesn't look short enough to be 5 in. Maybe it's just the pics (or maybe my eyes). A 5 in. barrel would be worth more. If it's been reblued then that would affect the value too. If it was done by the S&W factory then it doesn't push the value down quite as much. Where on the gun is the W number? That doesn't look right for being the serial number. The serial number should be on the butt of the grip frame (and not covered by the grips, I don't think). And do you know its condition? That affects the value a lot too.

 

[breeze]

S&W

The number came from the frame where the model number would be and on the bottom of the butt. Thanks

 

[breeze]

S&W

SORRY, the butt has 26243 on it.

 

[James K]

It is impossible to tell from the pictures, but the gun may have been refinished. The hammer and trigger appear to be polished where they should be color case hardened and the finish looks a bit too shiny for an S&W of that period. If considering purchase, I advise careful scrutiny.

Jim

 

[breeze]

S&W

Jim, I am 98% sure that the gun has been refinished. It looks way to good to be as old as it is. The person I'm thinking about trading has mentioned he has had the gun for about 15 years and has not shot it more than 25 times, but it looked like it does now when he got it. From the looks of the wear on the grips, the rest of the gun should show more wear. The lettering and insignia do not show much polishing so I suspect that it was a pro job. I would like to add it to my collection, but I would hate to trade off a higher dollar gun for a gun that could be worth much less. Thanks for the help.

 

[cerberus65]

Serial number 26243 = manufactured in 1926.

 

[breeze]

S&W

Thanks to all for the great and helpful information, I think i will add it to my collection.

 

[breeze]

Better pics

Maybe these will help

 

[breeze]

more

more pics

 

[breeze]

couple more

I hope these help with positive ID, THANKS!

 

[Mike Irwin]

Breeze,

Nice revolver.

Unfortunately it's missing the lanyard ring, but that is fairly easy to replace.

If the gun is not refinished, it's worth WELL in excess of $600, probably closer to $1500.

Even refinished, a good refinish job, which is what you think it is, is worth at least $600 as a shooter.

The big .44 Smiths are very desirable as shooters.

Unless something really stands out, I'd be inclined to make the trade, but then again I LOVE the big Smiths.

 

[Mike Irwin]

You know, given how sharp that trademark looks under the thumb latch, I would not at all be surprised if this gun was in original finish.

It's virtually impossible to refinish one of these old Smiths without seriously damaging the logo during polishing.

Unfortunately, the pictures you posted of the barrel markings are undecipherable.

If you're using a digital camera, read the manual and figure out how to turn the macro feature on to get good pictures of fine, close up details.

 

[breeze]

Thanks Mike

Thanks for the info, after taking a relly good look, I don't think it has been re-finished. I made the trade and am happy to say that it locks up very nice and all operations are correct. Thanks ALL for the info.