What do we know about the first S&W .44 Magnums, where they are, who owns them, who were they made for?

I seem to remember reading somewhere that Elmer got either the 1st or 2nd off the line. No idea where it is now.

I believe that Carl Hellstrom received the first one. elmer, I think, got the 3rd one. Charlie Askins recieved one the first ones also. Can't remember who the second one went to. Elmer did get the first 2 4" Model 57's.

In the upcoming Premier auction at Rock Island Auction, there is a pre model 29 owned by Elmer up for bid. It is a special engraved model with full provenance and documentation. Estimate is $60-$90,000. www.rockislandauction.com

Who would have ever considered that the guns of our contemoraries would go for so much/ But I'm glad that they are + that there remains an interest, helping the shooting sports survive.

My memory may be faulty, but I seem to recall that General Hatcher got one of the very early S&W 44 mags.