[Dmooneyham]

How can I find out what model and year my 44 Is?

 

[series guy]

Clear photos of both sides with the grips removed and a serial number will get you the information you seek. At this point I would guess .44 Hand Ejector Second Model. Mid to late 20s time frame.

 

[Adirondacker]

What about the butt swivel? A reguler option, or specially built for police or military use?

 

[Absalom]

What about the butt swivel? A reguler option, or specially built for police or military use?

The 44 HE 2nd Models before the mid- to late 1920s were built on left-over frames from the military 1917 which had the swivel hole. You can find them with factory plugged holes, but most were delivered with a swivel, and since they often went to police, that seems to have been acceptable. Yours likely falls into that decade.

 

[Dmooneyham]

What about the butt swivel? A reguler option, or specially built for police or military use?

 

[Absalom]

With serial # 20590, a reasonable guess would be manufacture in 1923 (+/-).

That's based on extrapolating from some others with confirmed ship dates. For anything more precise, you'd need to buy a history letter from the SW Historical Foundation.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! My .44 HE, 2nd Model, with a SN of 21772 shipped in July 1924:

 

[Waidmann]

Look in the frame recess under the crane for a Springfield Armory inspector's stamp (sort of eagle's head). They were years exhausting frames. I have also seen them described as ".44 Military" in period adverts.