S & W 44 Special CTG 4 digit Serial

[Husky77]

I have a 44 Special CTG Pearl Handle revolver.
The last patent date that shows on the top of the barrel is Feb 6, 06.
There is a 4 digit Serial number at the bottom of the handle ( I assume that is a serial number).
This was a gift to my father, from his uncle (a sheriff in Alabama) that apparently was replacing it as a sidearm. Nothing says I love you to a 12 year old like a 44 caliber weapon! Regardless I would like to know more about it and its approx. value. Thanks for any insight.

 

[Jim Watson]

This is all very confusing.
Is it a .44 Special or a .44 Magnum? Not the same cartridge, not the same gun.
I suspect .44 Special, since they quit putting patent dates on S&Ws long before the Magnum came out.

According to Flayderman's book, a four digit serial number and a 1906 patent date are correct for a S&W .44 Hand Ejector First Model, also known as the New Century and popularly as the Triple Lock; made from 1908 - 1915.

It is going to take pictures be sure what you actually have and get a handle on its condition and originality.
A FACTORY nickel Triple Lock with FACTORY pearl handles will be worth a good deal of money if in excellent condition. Wear and neglect cut the value. Aftermarket pearl would be worth less, fake pearls less still. Aftermarket plating would be worth a lot less.

Anything tying a gun to a high ranking lawman like a sheriff will help the value, but it has to be more than family legends.

 

[Husky77]

It is a 44 Special CTG. Written across the side. I apologize for adding the magnum. It states that no where on the gun.

 

[Husky77]

Can you explain the "triple lock"?

 

[Jim Watson]

Sure.
A regular S&W Hand Ejector* latches the cylinder shut at the rear into the frame and at the tip of the ejector rod under the barrel. The Triple Lock added a third point with a bar on the cylinder yoke fitting into a recess in the front of the frame under the barrel and latched by a pin connected with the front and rear latches. A fine piece of machinery but very complicated and not used by S&W before or after that one model of about 15000 guns.

*All of their swingout cylinder guns were and are hand ejectors, compared to the old topbreaks that ejected automatically when they were opened.

Like I said, close clear pictures will let us tell you more. There are some real experts hanging out here who will have much more information.

 

[Husky77]

I see the 2 pins on the stem and at the back. There is also a 3rd just under where the stem recesses... below the barrel.
I will try to get some pictures onto the thread to confirm.

Thanks very much for your help!!

 

[Oro]

Husky,

These can range in value from the upper end of "quite a bit" down to "still a lot" when in good or better condition. Pictures would help. There are a variety of things that influence value in this case quite strongly. Among those are barrel length, original finish and condition, original grips or lack of (sadly yours are apparently gone), and fixed or target (adjustable) sights. Photos (several detailed ones if possible) are the best way to get help as Jim Watson has pointed out.

He's also explained the unique feature of the "triple lock' to you, and if you google "s&w triple lock" you will find quite a few web sites talking about them and illustrating the third lock on the yoke/yoke cut.