In House Shipping:
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: .44 Hand Ejector, 2nd Model, 5-Screw, Square Butt N-Frame
Serial Number: 44824
Year of Manufacture: 1935 (reference Factory Letter)
Caliber: .44 Special
Action Type: 6-Shot, Double Action / Single Action, Swing-Out Fluted Cylinder Revolver
Barrel Length: 6 1/2” Pinned, with non-shrouded ejector rod
Sights / Optics: This target version has a “McGivern” gold bead Patridge blade front sight on a raised, pinned boss, and two screw adjustable rear target sights attached to the top strap and frame.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are the factory original two-piece checkered walnut Service panels with “S&W” silver medallions at their tops and “smooth diamonds” around the grip screw escutcheons. The interior of the right grip panel is stamped with the serial number matching that of the revolver. There are no compressions or draglines. The most noticeable marks are tiny scratches on the bottoms of the panels. The checkering is strong. There are no chips or cracks. These grips are adorned with a rarely seen, factory installed and stamped, special order grip adaptor. The grip adaptor is in very good shape for its age. Overall, the grips are in about Excellent Condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. There is some light fouling in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are some little nicks and a few small hairline scratches. There is some thinning and finish loss on some of the edges, mainly at the muzzle and near the crane arm. There is a thin turn line not through the finish on the cylinder. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Excellent Condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder produces light side to side movement. The double action trigger pull is smooth, the single action is crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes with a Smith & Wesson factory letter stating this revolver was shipped to William H. Hoegee Co. in Los Angeles, California on June 10, 1935.
Our Assessment: The name Smith & Wesson has been synonymous with finely crafted American made firearms since 1852. In 1907, Smith & Wesson introduced the .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model, often called the “New Century” or “Triple Lock”. It was the first side-swing cylinder handgun in S&W’s .44 Hand Ejector series, and marked the introduction of the .44 Special cartridge, the predecessor of .44 Magnum. After a number of years, Smith & Wesson felt that the price of the “New Century” was too expensive, so they eliminated the ejector rod shroud and the third lock to reduce the price. The result was the .44 Hand Ejector 2nd Model, with 34,624 made over its production run from 1915-1937.
This Smith & Wesson .44 Hand Ejector 2nd Model was made in 1935 and is in Excellent Condition. It features a 6.5” barrel, 98% of its lustrous, original blued finish, with some vibrant case coloring on the hammer and serrated trigger, gorgeous, serial-matching two-piece checkered walnut Service grips with “S&W” silver medallions at their tops and “smooth diamonds” around the grip screw escutcheons, rock solid mechanics, a bright bore with sharp rifling and no erosion (only some light fouling in the grooves), and a number of special order touches, including a “McGivern” gold bead Patridge blade front sight on a raised, pinned boss, two screw adjustable rear target sights attached to the top strap and frame, and a rarely seen, factory installed and stamped grip adaptor. The included factory letter lists the McGivern front sight and rear target sights, and also notes this revolver shipped to William H. Hoegee Co. in Los Angeles, California on June 10, 1935. This revolver looks exquisite considering its age, and is deserving of a spot in a high-end Smith & Wesson collection.