Make: Smith & Wesson

Model: .44 Hand Ejector 2nd Model, 5-Screw, Square Butt N-Frame

Serial Number: 18852

Year of Manufacture: 1922 (reference “Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson” by Supica and Nahas)

Caliber: .44 Special

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

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

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a round blade on a raised, pinned boss. The rear sight is a “U”-notch through sight cut to the top strap and frame.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut Service stocks without any S&W medallions and with “smooth diamonds” around the grip screw escutcheons. There are light compressions. The most noticeable marks are tiny scratches on the bottom of the panels. The checkering is strong but not sharp. There are no chips or cracks. There is a lanyard loop on the bottom of the grip frame. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good Condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is spotted erosion throughout the bore. There is some light fouling in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 80% of its metal finish. There are some little nicks and a few small hairline scratches. There is thinning and finish loss on the edges, mainly at the muzzle and on the grip frame. There is a turn line through the finish on the cylinder. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Good 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: None

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 1922 and is in Good Condition. It features a 6.5” barrel, 80% of its original blued finish, with some case coloring on the checkered hammer and smooth trigger, classic two-piece checkered walnut Service grips with “smooth diamonds” around the grip screw escutcheons, service sights, solid mechanics, and a bright bore with sharp rifling (there is spotted erosion throughout, and there is some light fouling in the grooves). The cylinder produces light side to side movement. This revolver is a fine piece considering its age, and is deserving of a spot in a Smith & Wesson collection.