Smith & Wesson S&W .44 Hand Ejector 1926 3rd Model Target , Revolver 6 ½”
SOLD FOR: $3,750.00
WOA#: WY240531GA029
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: .44 Hand Ejector 3rd Model of 1926 Target, Hand Ejector, 5-Screw, Square Butt N-Frame
Serial Number: S71092
Year of Manufacture: According to the included letter from the Smith and Wesson Archives this revolver left the factory on June 27, 1947 and delivered to Louisville KY.
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 “SMITH & WESSON”, the right is marked “44 S&W. SPECIAL CTG”, The inside of the ejector rod cut is marked with the serial number, found also on the butt of the grip frame, rear of the cylinder, inside of the right grip panel, inside of the ejector star, and rear flat of the yoke have the same serial number. The inside of the yoke cut is marked “11991/V”, this number is seen again on the yoke. The right of the revolver on the side plate has S&W’s monogram logo, the right of the frame is marked “MADE IN U.S.A.” The left of the grip frame is marked “S / 4”, the right is marked “A / 6 /7”.
Barrel Length: 6 1/2”, Ribbed, Pinned, with shrouded ejector rod.
Sights / Optics: The revolver is mounted with a tall blade front sight with a vertical rear face that is painted bright red. The sight is fixed to a ramped base which is integral with the barrel’s full length serrated rib. The rear sight is a square notched target sight adjustable for windage and elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are original to the revolver and are checkered walnut with diamond shapes around the escutcheons. They have nice fit to the grip straps, the checkering is highly pronounced, the smooth bordering exposes beautiful honey gold wood with dark grain stripes. The butt of the left panel has a tiny chip loss, the right has a few mild pressure marks. No cracks or major damages are seen. The grips are in about Fine Plus to Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Factory Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with highly defined rifling. It shows a sprinkling of frosting with a bit of fouling that remains and no apparent erosion.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 91% of its metal finish. The top of the frame has a few areas of light pin prick erosion and surface etching to bare metal. The leading edges of the barrel at the muzzle and cylinder, subsequently shifting the edges to patina. The cylinder has a thin drag line and a few small marks. The hammer and trigger still have bold coloring with some speckled surface rust. The overall construction is masterful. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine condition for its age.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder produces tight full lockup in all 6 chambers with no measurable fore to aft play, nominal side to side play is felt. The double action trigger pull is smooth, the single action is crisp. The barrel is pinned. 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: Comes with a two page factory letter signed by Historian Roy Jinks.
Our Assessment: Introduced in 1926 the 3rd Model Hand Ejector was a request of Wolf & Klar of Fort worth Texas. It was exclusively manufactured for them from 1926 to late 1936. It was one of the first large distributor special produced by Smith and Wesson. THe Contract price to Wolf & Klar was $21.90 each and they were ordered in lots of 1000 units, but generally delivered to them at 25 units per shipment.
In1937 S&W added a notation to their catalog with the 38/44 Heavy Duty and .38/44 Outdoorsman that these models were now available in .44 S&W Special Caliber. It is not until 1940 All Model Circular that the company refers to it in a catalog as the .44 Hand ejector Model of 1926. The revolver was Manufactured until 1942 when its production was temporarily halted.
This Discontinuation allowed Smith and Wesson to change production to full wartime effort capacity to meet the demands for the .38 M&P revolvers. At the end of the war , this model was reintroduced with an improved hammer block and an ”S” Prefix was added to the serial number to signify the change. The Target models produced after 1946 featured a ribbed barrel and a new micrometer adjustable rear sight . This model was replaced in 1950 by the .44 Hand Ejector 4th model or the “Model of 1950”.
According to Smith and Wesson Historic documents this beautiful and rare revolver shipped out of the factory in 1947. It was one of the only two shipments of “50 Target units of this model shipped in late 1946 and into 1947”; Making this revolver one of 100 that shipped over a two year period. The rarity is very high with this piece. Collectors should pay close attention. So bid high and bid firm. I highly encourage you to take a look at the condition in our high quality photos. Good luck on your bid. -K.F.
