In House Shipping:
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: .44 Hand Ejector, 1st Model (New Century, Triple Lock, .44 Military - Model of 1908), 5-Screw, Square Butt N-Frame
Serial Number: 10594
Year of Manufacture: 1912 (reference “Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson” by Supica and Nahas)
Caliber: .44 Special
Action Type: 6-Shot, Double Action/Single Action, Swing-Out Fluted Cylinder Revolver
Barrel Length: 6 1/2”, pinned, with shrouded ejector rod.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade on a raised, pinned boss. The rear sight is a notch cut into the topstrap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are factory original walnut Magna panels with “S&W” medallions at their tops and “smooth diamonds” around the grip screw escutcheons. They are serial-matching to the revolver, penciled with the serial number to match inside the right panel. There are a few small compressions. The most noticeable marks are tiny scratches on the bottom edge of the left panel. The checkering is strong. There are no chips or cracks. 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. 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 leading edge of the cylinder. There is a very light and intermittent turn line, though 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 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 Ellery Arms Co. in San Francisco, California in February 1917.
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, Triple Lock, or .44 Military Model of 1908. There were only 15,375 made during its short production run from 1907-1915. 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.
This San Francisco Shipped Smith & Wesson .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model Triple Lock Revolver was made in 1912 and is in Excellent Condition. It features a 6.5” barrel, 98% of its lustrous, original blued finish, the original, serial-matching checkered walnut Magna grips with “S&W” medallions at their tops and “smooth diamonds” around the grip screw escutcheons, rock solid mechanics, a bright bore with sharp rifling and no erosion, and a Smith & Wesson factory letter stating it was shipped to Ellery Arms Co. in San Francisco, California in February 1917. This revolver looks incredible considering its age, and is deserving of a spot in a high-end Smith & Wesson collection.