Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: The 44 Magnum, "Pre-Model 29", Four Screw
Serial Number: S179800
Year of Manufacture: 1957-1958 / C&R
Caliber: .44 Magnum
Action Type: Double and Single Action Six Shot Swing Out Cylinder Revolver
Barrel Length: 6 1/2", Pinned
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramped blade with a red insert, set on a serrated ramped base pinned to the serrated rib. The rear sight is an S&W micrometer click white outline square notch adjustable for windage and elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut target stocks with a football cut and S&W medallions. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is generally defined save for the left grip where a large portion of the checkering has been compressed smooth. There are scattered handling marks. There is verdigris in the medallions. The grips rate in Good condition. There is no serial number inside the grips.
Type of Finish: Blue, Case Color hammer and trigger
Finish Originality: Factory Refinished in December of 1973. The left side of the grip frame is marked with the Factory Rework Date and the ejector rod shroud, cylinder, and grip frame are marked with Diamond B stamps. There are two punch dots at the top of the left grip frame, a punch dot on the yoke, and another in the corner of the frame below the front face of the cylinder. All serialized parts are matching.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is well defined. There is no erosion in the bore. There are light fouling streaks. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 90% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish is strong. There is finish loss around the muzzle and some thinning on the leading edges. There is some minor erosion under the factory refinish on the cylinder. There are some scattered light handling marks. The case color is visible with light muting. The cylinder has a light turn line. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear though a little soft on the barrel. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine condition as Factory Refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The single-action trigger is crisp and the double-action smooth. The cylinder lockup is solid on each chamber with very little play. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Smith & Wesson developed the .44 Magnum around the heavy-load experiments of Elmer Keith and the new cartridge produced by Remington, creating an enlarged and strengthened N-frame revolver capable of handling what was then the most powerful commercial handgun cartridge. The first revolver was completed in December 1955, with production examples initially sold simply as “The .44 Magnum.” Smith & Wesson began stamping numerical model designations in June 1957, after which the revolver became the Model 29, placing this example at the important transition between the original named model and the numbered series.
This four-screw revolver has the classic 6 1/2" pinned barrel, recessed six-shot cylinder, adjustable target sights, and early-style football-relief target stocks. Smith & Wesson factory refinished it in December 1973, and approximately 90% of that refinish remains, with muzzle wear, edge thinning, minor underlying erosion, and scattered handling marks. Its matching serialized components, factory rework, bright 9/10 bore, excellent lockup, and smooth double- and single-action operation preserve considerable collector and shooting appeal.
