5" 38/44 HD #4687X

Reddog · #1 02-13-2011, 08:03 PM

Yesterday I bought a 38/44 HD, well used. Paid way too much! I've wanted one for years but just never quite got around to finding one. I'm sure this one was a duty gun and carried a lot. It shoots well and pretty close to point of aim, which is pleasing. The right hand stock is rounded off on the bottom outer edge and the blue is much more worn on the right on the sideplate. I can picture some oldtime law officer bouncing it off his seat belt in his patrol car or off the armrest of his swivel chair when he was in the office doing reports! Also, there is considerable wear on the back strap and traces of rust. Again, I can see him standing and talking with his right hand resting on the buttstock of his holstered gun! I plan on getting it lettered and maybe figure out where it's been all this time. I'll keep it but not refinish it. I like the way it looks! I have plenty of pretty guns, but only one like this!
Dick

Dave T · #2 02-13-2011, 08:40 PM

I'm not going to bother you about what you paid because I figure it was as much as you were willing to part with to get the gun. It's a fine old pre-War HD with a lot of character. I like it too and hope you enjoy it for many years. (smile)

Dave

lowhog · #3 02-13-2011, 08:57 PM

very nice.I love the old pre war n frames.I took this 1926 44 houston pd out for some fun today.Believe it or not, it got above freezing in Minnesota today.The wind was blowing like the dickens ,and I'm old and shaky but I still found the black both double and single action.The second picture shows a couple of hds on the top.Regards Lowhog

Reddog · #4 02-13-2011, 09:02 PM

I'll tell you, Dave.
I'll probably be thought a fool, but I'm too old to worry about that! It was $650, locally, but then they added $53 sales tax! Like I said before, way too much but they wouldn't budge off the asking price!
Dick

Reddog · #5 02-13-2011, 09:11 PM

Wow, Hog!
Wish mine were as pretty as yours!
We're just melting off the last of a big snow from last week and it got above 70° today! That's why I got to shoot this HD!

bamabiker · #6 02-13-2011, 09:21 PM

I like it. The way I look at it if it's something I want and I've got the money I don't worry about it being "too" much. You got one you wanted, good for you.
By the way, a local shop has one that's been nickeled, trigger and hammer to, with wrong grips and they have it marked $699 before taxes. So maybe you did OK on your price.

mikepriwer · #7 02-13-2011, 09:30 PM

$650 is not an unfair price for that gun. It shows some wear here and
there, but the blue has wonderful color, and there is no serious
damage to it. The grips took the most apparent wear. If it were
mine, I'd have Keith Brown rechecker the grips, and leave it at that.
It would make the gun look a lot better, and the gun would still be
all original.

Mike Priwer

Reddog · #8 02-13-2011, 09:46 PM

Thanks, Bama!
Maybe I didn't do so bad afterall!
Mike,
I might do that. But, on the other hand, that's part of the character of it. I appreciate your thoughts!
Dick

j38 · #9 02-13-2011, 10:56 PM

I don't think you overpaid for that old HD at all. How often do you see one in that condition show up at your local hobby shop anyway? If you want to do anything with that gun - then follow Mike's advice regarding the grips - and enjoy shooting it.

Thanks for the post,

Jerry

bgrafsr · #10 02-13-2011, 11:07 PM

I like the gun. It has character. I've more than likely paid too much for some of mine also, but I'm glad I did as I enjoy them all.

Reddog · #11 02-14-2011, 12:02 AM

Thanks, Guys!
I feel better already!
Leaving for northern Texas in the morning for an informal shoot Tuesday with a couple friends! Think I'll take this old HD along and show it off a little!
Dick

28Shooter · #12 02-14-2011, 09:36 AM

Have a safe trip and enjoy that handgun!

DCWilson · #13 02-14-2011, 09:48 AM

Everybody who has even a slight interest in prewar S&Ws needs a Heavy Duty. That's a good one and it's worth what you paid. That's about what I paid for one of mine that is in similar condition, and after I got it I had to put more into it to get some proper grips to replace the Franzite it was wearing.

Enjoy it!

Reddog · #14 02-14-2011, 10:33 AM

Thank you 28Shooter!
I surely will!
David!
I follow your posts closely, just for a chance to see another example of your beautiful Smith and Wesson collection! Your advice is appreciated!
Dick

1Aspenhill · #15 02-14-2011, 10:40 AM

Dick,
Looks like a great old gun with plenty of life left in it! I'm sure you will be getting a lot of joy out of shooting it!
Enjoy!
Bill

Reddog · #16 02-14-2011, 10:54 AM

Thanks, Bill!
For letting me pick your brain on this one!
Dick

maglvr · #17 02-15-2011, 01:38 AM

"Yesterday I bought a 38/44 HD, well used. Paid way too much!"
A gun is only "way too much" if you can't afford to buy it ;-)
Since it was something you wanted, and the fact you now own it, i'd say it was priced just right! :-)

zywina · #18 02-15-2011, 03:03 AM

Since you guys are talking about 38/44's ,I have a question, did S&W ever make an unshrouded barrel for there S&W model 20? I cannot find any info. that says they ever did this, but with Smith you never know?Cheers Dale Z

1Aspenhill · #19 02-15-2011, 10:09 AM

ZYWINA,
Yes S&W did make some in 1960. Three have shown up including this one-
Light Lug Heavy Duty for Christmas
Enjoy!
Bill

zywina · #20 02-16-2011, 02:37 AM

Bill thanks for forwarding the pictures! much appreciated! Dale Z in Canada!

Reddog · #21 02-21-2011, 01:31 AM

I did take the HD along for the Texas shoot. Both my Texas friends enjoyed shooting it. One of the fellows was what I would call an expert shot was doing very well with it shooting offhand.
Right after I got back, David Lapell posted a list of guns that he had found at a dealer up his way. As a result, I made a deal for another 6" 28-2 and a 6" 57-3, both in near new condition. Thanks, Dave!
Dick

Reddog · #22 03-30-2011, 05:05 PM

Here's my letter for those keeping track. It turns out that it was shipped to Colorado rather than Ohio as I was told. Closer to home! I knew a couple of those Colorado Troopers back when I drove a truck. Both very nice fellows in the Eads area!
How about that $22.34, too!
Dick

Roadranger · #23 03-30-2011, 05:29 PM

Reddog, I think you can discount the idea about the seat belt in the patrol car marring your HD's grips. Your gun was 30 years old before cars had seatbelts and most LE didn't begin to wear them until the 80's when seat belt laws went into effect. Now the office chair, that's another matter! Bob!!

Reddog · #24 03-30-2011, 06:13 PM

I bet you're right, Bob!

Reddog · #25 01-20-2014, 07:24 PM

Rather than start a new thread, I'm going to put this in the thread about my other 1935 HD.
Just a year ago this month I bought this gun from a forum member. It's a nice gun but the cylinder has been replaced. Apparently the extractor was damaged and none was available for such an old gun? Consequently he found a cylinder complete with extractor and installed it. I don't know whether he had it fitted or it was just a lucky fit? Also, I don't know what model the cylinder was intended for. Regardless, it is a very nice gun and I like it a lot! And, it's a good shooter except for the fact that it shoots about an inch or so to the right and has fixed sights so there is no adjustment. But, I doubt that a BG would realize the difference if I shot him an inch or so off center? What I'm getting at is, I had it out today and shot it on my home range. The target shows 25 rounds of Lyman home cast # 358429 over 4.0 grains of BullsEye and CCI 500 primers. I haven't chronographed it yet but it bounced pretty hard so I'm guessing 850 to 900 FPS. Good shooting Everyone!
Dick

arjay · #26 01-20-2014, 07:38 PM

Nice gun and shooting.The old timers would adjust that front sight with a Babbitt bar.

Reddog · #27 01-20-2014, 07:46 PM

Arjay, Guess I'm just not old enough, yet?

jrs70 · #28 01-20-2014, 07:56 PM

Vary nice, I like it. I hope to find one, one day.

Reddog · #29 01-20-2014, 08:17 PM

I hope it's soon, jrs70!

Reddog · #30 01-22-2014, 01:16 AM

Well Fellas,
After firing my HD, yesterday, I cleaned it today and decided to wax it with Ren wax! Say, it really brought out the pretty! I like this gun even more, now! It really looks a lot better than in these pics! I couldn't get the shine to come out?
Dick

P&R Fan · #31 01-22-2014, 02:43 AM

The Heavy Duty is one of the most classic of all of S&Ws revolvers.
I have a 5" one that dates to about 1952. It is my favorite N-Frame. (Actually, it's an S). I used it when I had to re-qualify for my carry permit. Range officer had never seen one.

I carried it yesterday in my LOBO IWB holster, loaded with +Ps.

Oh, I paid all of $250 for it about 15 years ago.

Numbers all match.
Jim

Reddog · #32 01-22-2014, 04:53 AM

Mine is an S serial number but an N frame. Does yours shoot to point of aim? You really got a buy on yours!
Dick

P&R Fan · #33 01-22-2014, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reddog

Mine is an S serial number but an N frame. Does yours shoot to point of aim? You really got a buy on yours!
Dick

Yes it does. I had a nice double action group on the target.
You get 10 shots to qualify. I fired a cylinder full and the guy knew I could shoot and passed me.

Jim