Source: ATF P 5300.11 · Curios or Relics List · Jan 1972 – Apr 20253,573 entries · 4 sections
The C&R RegisterA finding aid to the ATF Curios or Relics List, for Type 03 collectors
C&R · II · 493

S&W .44 Hand Ejector, 1st–3rd Models

Section II: curio or relic, still subject to the Gun Control Act

Official wording

ATF P 5300.11 · APRIL 2025 EDITION · SECTION II · VERBATIM · PDF P. 16 ↗

Smith & Wesson, .44 Hand Ejector, all cal.’s, S/Ns 1-62488 (no letter).

What this entry requires

  • ATF REQUIRESYour serial number is one ATF listsATF: “S/Ns 1-62488 (no letter)”
  • INFOATF states no date; production was about 1908–1949.

Editorial facts · Our research

Country
United States
Manufacturer
Smith & Wesson
Type
Pistol¹
Action
Other
Caliber
All calibers
Made
Listed serials only · c. 1908–1949production; ATF states no date²³
Service
Commercial
Search listings ↗Check a specific gunReport an error ↗

Source

Official wording
ATF P 5300.11, April 2025 edition · Section II · PDF p. 16 ↗ · ATF original ↗
Entries
1 line
Verbatim check
Checked against the PDF text before every release
Editorial facts
Confidence: Medium · Last revised 18 October 2026 (Evidence pass) · How we rate confidence
References
  1. Wikipedia, “Smith & Wesson Triple Lock” ↗, type: Wikipedia: the .44 Hand Ejector is a double-action revolver; "Hand Ejector differentiated the new design from Smith & Wesson's earlier top break revolvers"
  2. gunvalues.gundigest.com ↗, years: Gun Digest: .44 HE 1st Model "Approximately 15,375 manufactured between 1908 and 1915"
  3. gunvalues.gundigest.com ↗, years: Gun Digest: .44 HE 2nd Model "manufactured between 1915 and 1937, serial number range 15376-60000"
  4. gunvalues.gundigest.com ↗, years (estimate: partly supports it): Gun Digest: .44 HE 3rd Model (Model of 1926) "Manufactured between 1926-1949"; the year the no-letter series ended at 62488 is not given
Fact tags
  • ATF the ATF wording states it.
  • REF ¹ an outside reference supports it; the number points to the list of references.
  • ESTIMATE an approximate or indirect reading, for example the production range of the base model.
  • NO CITATION we haven’t attached a reference for this fact; it’s our editorial reading, not ATF’s.
Source checked
20 October 2026: ATF’s page still lists the April 2025 edition
Corrections
1 change · see below

Correction history

  1. Evidence passYears: 1908–1950 → 1908–1949. Gun Digest dates the .44 HE 1st–3rd Models 1908–1949

All corrections · How corrections work

Historical context

Smith & Wesson Triple Lock (base model shown for S&W .44 Hand Ejector, 1st–3rd Models)
Shown: a .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model (Triple Lock); this entry also covers the 2nd and 3rd Models.

Image: Wikimedia Commons, “Smith and Wesson .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model New Century Triple Lock Canadian Contract .455 Webley-transparent.png” by Hatchetfish, CC BY-SA 3.0. Retrieved October 2026.

Summary: Wikipedia, “Smith & Wesson Triple Lock”. Text CC BY-SA 4.0.

FROM WIKIPEDIA

The Triple Lock, officially the Smith & Wesson .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model New Century, is a double-action revolver. It was and is considered by many, including handgun enthusiast and expert Elmer Keith, to be the finest revolver ever made.