I have 44 flattop serial # 290x. It is shown as produced during 1957 if I am reading the charts correctly. 1956 started with #1, 1957 started with 741, 1958 started with 5996. I had heard that ruger beat S&W to the draw, shipping 44 magnums prior to S&W shipping theirs. Anyone know what the actual ship dates were for the first 44 magnum for each company. All I have is that both shipped the first guns in 1956.
Charlie
Charlie