I've been referencing this gun in my "Condition" thread. It is an interesting story so I decided to start it's own thread.

Had some time to kill before another business opened so I went in a Gun/Archery shop to see what they might have in the way of ammo. I don't frequent this place much as they mostly sell new stuff and have little in the way of used guns, which is all I shop for.

After continuing to be disappointed in the supply and price of ammo I wondered over to look at the gun cases. Only one of them had any used guns but right in the middle of the used Ruger SAs and Glocks was an nickeled, 4" fix sighted N-Frame. I tried to not look too excited when I asked to see it, hoping against hope it might be a 44 Special (the tag was under it). Disappointed in my continuing persute of 44 Spls, it turned out to be a pre-Model 20 in pretty good shape. Only down side was a pair of plastic, fake stag grips that didn't fit all that well.

To cut a long story down to size, it went home with me for $75 less than the asking price and without the plastic grips. The owner actually took the last $25 off when I said I didn't want the grips. I had just ordered a set of Elk stag grips from Grashorn so I didn't miss the plastic (smile).

Here's what it looks like with the stocks which arrived from Greely, CO yesterday:




That's 2 Heavy Dutys in the safe. Got to get back to looking for 44 Specials!

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

that is a lucky find, and the nickel might even be original

everytime i'm looking for something i want, i always bring home something different. very nice!!

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George Jamison

I'm pretty sure it is original. Any reason you think it isn't?

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

Wow that is truly a great looking gun. I would be very happy with a find like that too.

Congrats Dave. Very nice.

Saweet! I love those grips,they ''make'' the gun!

Extremely nice! That would have gone home with me, too.

The glass cases at the range where I shoot occasionally are mostly filled with new guns or recent-production used ones, but every so often an older one shows up. So far the old ones haven't spoken to me, but something like this sure would have.

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David Wilson

Very nice, and all the better to leave the plastic grips and save some $'s!
I'm the same way about .44's, and N-frame .38's don't make much sense to me, but I sure wouldn't have hesitated to buy that one! Classic is classic, and that ones got it all the way.
Best,
Steve

It may be an optical illusion or the photo or just my old eyes, but does that barrel appear to be pointing down? I have looked closely at both photos and the barrel does not appear to line up with the cylinder slots.

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James Redfield
LM #497

LOL - It isn't the barrel but my cheep camera. The wife gave it to me so I'm gonna keep taking pictures with it but I've noticed if you get any kind of straight line near one side or the top or bottom, the lense will distort it just a bit. Believe me, the barrel is straighter than the pictures show. (smile)

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

A very nice find! Im still looking for my first one,

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Stay safe people!

Dave,nice find.One on my short list has been a 4 inch nickle HD.You just don`t see them that often.

I've had photos of my handguns appear that way. Seems to occur when the camera is quite close to the subject.

That is a great heavy Duty by the way. I'd love to have taken that one home.

That photo distortion is caused by using a wide-angle lens which gives a fish-eye appearance. You can prevent it by taking the picture from farther away and zooming the lens so that the subject fills the frame.

Nothing nicer than a 4 or 5 inch N frame with that round barrel. Congrats.

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Sure you did

It's the "fish eye" effect from getting too close with a standard lens for a frame-filling shot.

If the barrel was actually bent as much as the picture seems to show, it would likely shoot a couple FEET off the point of aim!

I found a 4" blued 38/44 HD at a show today. It looks like an old cop gun with the finish wear and it still sports an old trigger shoe. The S919XXX serial number is on the frame barrel and cylinder and indicates a birthdate of 1952-53. I'd say the finish is about 85% or better but it is close to 100% mechanically, common to an old LEO revolver. I didn't need it. I've got one that is near mint (thanks CajunLawyer). I got it because it was there and I had some money in my pocket. I may go back and see if the pre-15 is still there tomorrow.

Charlie, I'd like to see a picture. I'm getting fond of these 38/44 HDs, despite my love affair with 44 Specials.

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)