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An Interesting Piece of Memorabilia
Collecting 44 Magnums is only part of the fun. Just as enjoyable is collecting early boxes of ammunition, patches, documents, advertisements, and anything else that is associated with this famous...
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A Special 50th Anniversary "44 Magnum", S130756
Many years ago I acquired a 44 Magnum with serial number S130756. It was a nice example, but the bright blue finish had developed a cloudiness that could not be polished out with Flitz or other polish....
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Two Factory Custom-Engraved 44 Magnums Inlaid with Gold
I have been interested in S&W's 44 Magnum/Model 29 for over forty years and have actively been collecting this model since the early 70s. During this time, I have encountered very few 44 Magnums...
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Stocks Used on the 44 Magnum/Model 29
Target stocks for N or large frame revolvers were introduced several years before the 44 Magnum. These early stocks did not have the relieved area on the left stock panel and were usually made of...
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1950/1955 Target 45
Smith & Wesson shipped a 1950 Target 45 to Remington Arms Company on April 30, 1951. The revolver has serial number S80242 and was fitted with a 6 1/2-inch barrel and checked, walnut stocks. The...
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Early 44 Magnum Literature and Patches
Those of you who are interested in collecting, or just studying the 44 Magnum, should also have an interest the early literature and patches associated with this famous handgun. The first regular...
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44 Magnum, 5-inch, Class A-engraved
44 Magnums with an uncataloged 5-inch barrel have always been highly sought after by collectors and this barrel length is my favorite for this model. About thirteen years ago the S&WCA auctioned...
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Selected by Elmer Keith for Gene West, 1971
In 1971, particularly after the movie "Dirty Harry" was released, the nearly impossible to obtain Model 29 became absolutely impossible to obtain. This was true even for gun writers who wanted one of...
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Prototype and Early Model 629s
S&W entered the stainless steel era for magnum revolvers with the introduction of its stainless "Combat Magnum" or Model 66 in July 1971. The Model 66 was a success and so it was only a matter of...
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Model 57, Rare 5-inch Barrel, A "Tool Room" Job
By late 1967, the Model 57 had been part of S&W's line of N-frame revolvers for nearly four years. It was standard with a 4, 6, or 8 3/8-inch barrel and either a bright blue or nickel finish. Like...
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An Early Model 66
Smith & Wesson continued to be a pioneer in the manufacture of handguns when it produced its famous Combat Magnum in stainless steel. The first run of revolvers was made on May 5, 1970 and the...
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44 Magnums Finished in Nickel, 1956
The 44 Magnum was cataloged as a regular item in January 1956 and appeared in the January All Model Circular (first photo) and was featured on a single page advertisement (no date, but with a price of...
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Ampersands Used on N-frame Revolvers, Part I
This is a difficult subject to discuss because the type of ampersand roll marked on the barrel on N-frame revolvers over the years varied not only with the timeframe when the gun was made, by also by...
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Ampersands used on N-frame Revolvers, Part II
In mid- to late 1964, the ampersand on the right side of the frame was changed to the one shown in the first photo. This style was used until around the end of 1971, when it was changed to the modern...
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A Model 629 "with a story to tell" (courtesy of Roy Jinks)
Model 629s with the barrel pin and counterbored chambers are being recognized by collectors as desirable guns to have in their collection. However, not much is published on the prototype Model 629s...
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