Smith & Wesson S&W .44 Spl Hand Ejector 2nd Model Ray A. Cheely Collection 6.5″ Revolver & Box 1925

SOLD FOR: $2,725.00
LSB#: 180716TA05

Make: Smith & Wesson

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

Serial Number: 22801

Year of Manufacture: According to the factory letter, this pistol was shipped to the California Hardware Company, on January 20, 1925.

Caliber: .44 Special

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

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON”, the top is marked “SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD, MASS. U.S.A. / PATTENTED DEC. 17.1901. FEB. 6. 1906.SEP.14. 1909”, the right is marked “44 S.&W. SPECIAL CTG”, flanked by Maltese crosses. The barrel flat, rear of the cylinder, rear flat of the yoke, and ejector star are serialized to the frame with the barrel flat marking preceded by “B”. The crane and cut are marked “83787”, the cut is also marked with an eagle’s head over “S2”, page 159 of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson indicates this was a military inspection marking “probably originally to be built as the 1917”, the left of the frame has the S&W monogram logo, the right is marked “MADE IN U.S.A.”. The butt is marked with the serial number behind the lanyard loop. The grip indexing pin is surrounded by inspector marks on each side.

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

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded half-moon blade with a rectangular base, integral to the barrel. The rear sight is a “U”-notch on the frame’s top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are correct checkered walnut without S&W medallions, showing nice fit to the grip straps. The left panel has a compression at the bottom edge, otherwise there is no notable wear or damage. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blue with Case Colored Hammer & Trigger

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. The finish is lightly thinning at a few edges, most noticeably the muzzle and the top of the front sight. The cylinder has a faint turn line. The ejector rod and trigger have light operational wear. There is some very light freckling toward the bottom of the backstrap. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder produces light side to side play in full lockup in all 6 chambers with no measurable fore to aft play. The double action trigger pull is smooth, the single action is crisp. The barrel is pinned, the frame has 5 screws. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a maroon-colored lift-lid cardboard Smith & Wesson box with a label which correctly describes the firearm but does not have a serial number, a Smith & Wesson factory letter from historian R. G. Jinks, Ray Cheely’s S&W Collectors Association card and a display tag for the revolver as well as a zip tie which has been left in place as it may have been used in Cheely’s display (the tie has just enough play to allow for a function check). The letter, card and display tag are in Excellent condition. The box has wear and fraying at edges and corners with a tear in the front of the lid, in about Good-Very Good condition.

Our Assessment: This is Smith & Wesson’s ‘.44 Hand Ejector 2nd model, which was made in 1925. It has a U.S. inspector mark on the yoke cut, indicating that the frame was originally intended for use on a Model 1917, but was instead produced as this .44 Hand Ejector. We know that it was sent to California Hardware Company and was in the collection of Ray Cheely, adding a bit of history we would not have known about unless the consignor provided the nice crisp S&W factory letter and the story of its acquisition. The included box has a label which correctly describes the revolver and is of the correct vintage, though it is not serialized. This is going to make a collector very happy as it is in Fine-plus condition with Excellent mechanics and is ready for display. Please see our photos and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R handgun CAN be transferred as a dealer sale in California. This handgun CAN be sold as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) at our Simi Valley shop. All cartridge firing handguns (even C&R’s and antiques) sold to a California resident must be DROS’d. This does not apply to out of state residents.