44 flat top

crsides · Jan 30, 2017

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

rugerguy · Jan 30, 2017

yes they did but knowing that the Rugers started in end of Nov and the start of Dec 1956 my bet ( and educated guess) is that S&W started earlier, would have to ask our friend Doc44 from over the S&W forum,and maybe Bill could put a actual date on the first 'smiths' 44 mags that predated the actual "model 29" as that designation came in 1958..........
He is on here from time to time and may "see" and reply to this....good question :wink:

rangerbob · Jan 30, 2017

According to the Standard Catalog of S&W,#3, 5 .44 magnums were produced in January, 1956, with one of them going to the NRA for a write up and another going to Keith for field testing. The .44 Magnum was announced to the public on January 19th with a telecast from Springfield. Approximately 3100 were built in 1956. I don't have the data from Ruger. Bob!!

Doc4429 · Jan 31, 2017

S&W shipped the first 44 Magnum (S130806) to R. H. Coleman of Remington Arms on December 29, 1955. The first production 44 Magnum (S130927) was completed on December 15, 1955 and later sold to Rex Firearms on February 21, 1956. I believe this important revolver was later engraved by Alvin White and used in Rex Firearms' ads in the American Rifleman beginning in May 1956. S&W began shipping the 44 Magnum to distributors in January 1956 and had shipped approximately 2500 revolvers before Ruger began shipping their Blackhawk 44 Magnum in November 1956.

Bill

Hondo44 · Feb 3, 2017

Charlie,

You've probably heard that Ruger designed their gun from 44 Mag cartridge cases someone found in Remington's trash. After they blew up a 357 Mag mid frame Blackhawk chambered in 44, before building the larger frame 44 mag.