Smith & Wesson S&W .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model New Century Triple Lock, 2nd Year, Blue 6 1/2″ 6-Shot DA Double Action Revolver, MFD 1908 C&R

Sold For: $1,005.00

LSB#: 170201CB06

Make: Smith & Wesson

Model: .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model New Century Triple Lock, 5-Screw, Square Butt N-Frame

Serial Number: 3356

Year of Manufacture: According to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 3rd Edition by Richard Nahas & Jim Supica, page 157, 13,753 were made in .44 Special, putting production at about 1908, the 2nd year of production.

Caliber: .44 Special

Action Type: 6-Shot, Double Action / Single Action, Swing-Out, Fluted Cylinder Revolver

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “44 S&W SPECIAL CTG.”, the top is marked “SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD, MASS. U.S.A. / PAT’D MARCH 27. 94. MAY. 21. 95. AUG. 4. 96 . DEC. 22. 95. OCT. 8. 01. DEC. 3. 01. FEB. 6, 06”. The ejector cut of the barrel, rear of the cylinder and butt of the grip frame (also marked with a five pointed star) are serialized to the frame, the rear flat of the yoke has a scab of erosion and we could not read the number, the ejector cut is also marked “555”, the inside of the ejector star is marked “54”. The crane and cut are marked “408”, the right side plate has the S&W monogram logo. The left of the grip frame is marked “12 22”, which is a factory refinishing stamp, this is next to “B” in square.

Barrel Length: 6 1/2”, Pinned, with shrouded ejector rod.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded half-moon blade, integral to a rectangle base, forged with the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch in a “U” channel on the frame’s top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are real stag horn with deep natural fissures and darkening from age. The stocks have nice fit to the grip straps, there are no major damages, some rubbing is apparent. The inside of the left panel has hand carved initials. The grips are in about Very Good condition as not original.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Factory Refinished in 1922.

Bore Condition: The bore is mid gray and the rifling is highly defined. There are a few areas of mild pitting seen frequently in the bore.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 38% of its metal finish, seen as nice rich blue on protected surfaces. The other surfaces have heavier holster and handling rub wear, some exposed metal surfaces have mild pin prick erosion and small freckles of surface erosion. General scuffs and scrapes are seen. The screw heads are serviceable, a few have marred slots. The markings are clear unless otherwise noted. Overall, this handgun rates in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder produces mild side to side play in full lockup in all 6 chambers with no measurable fore to aft play. The double action trigger pull is smooth, the single action is crisp. The barrel is pinned, the ejector rod shroud has a ‘third lock’, hence the model name. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: This is Smith & Wesson’s ‘.44 Hand Ejector 1st Model’, also known as the Military Model of 1908, Triple-Lock and New Century, all names are cleaver and the collectors automatically perk up when any are mentioned. This one has a good deal of finish remaining, hinting at a life of hard work, remaining an attractive piece with nice mechanics and a shootable bore, not bad for a pistol that is over 110 years old. The .44 Special cartridge has about the same performance as .45 ACP, without the violent snap of its Magnum brother, this would have been a very fancy item to have around; it was refinished at Smith & Wesson’s factory in December of 1922, giving it another bit of personal history not commonly seen. With some TLC, it should spiff up nicely. Please see our pictures and good luck.