When it comes to the big N frame pre war Smith & Wessons,  one has simply look at the numbers to determine the rarest models.  Lets compare;   Pre war registered .357 magnum.  There were a toal of 5224 made. The triple lock .44 special with lock in crane,  They made 15, 375.   Second model HE .44,  17510 made.   But the .44 HE Model 1926 pre war Wolf & Klar Model, only a total of 4976 guns were ever made.  Never a pre war catalog model before the war,  it was a special order gun that brought back the ejector shroud  but eliminated the crane lock.  This was a special order by Wolf and Klar of Ft.  Worth  Texas.   Examples sent to Texas were almost all nickel plated with bulls head Ivory or Pearl grips  put on at the store. These heavy duty .44s were popular on the boarder and with other police deptments. They were made from 1926-1941.  This 1926 model retains at least 95% of the original factory nickelwith a few minor  hints of freckling and  mint bore and action.  Rare big frame .44  pre war six gun. Look at the fine carved pearl grips.  Some of the finest made Smith & Wesson .44's ever produced.  C&R