Heavy Duty ID question

[Texas Star]

Are postwar .38-44 HD's made before 1950 still considered as model of 1926, even if they have the short action?

Thanks.

[murphydog]

1Aspenhill will be along shortly, but I believe you are describing a postwar Transitional HD.

[DWalt]

I'm not sure that Model 1926 was ever a factory designation. I believe that only the .44 Hand Ejector Third Model was called the Model 1926. There were fewer than 1500 of those made in the post-WWII period. Even though the .38/44 and the .44 Third Model are both built on the N frame, I haven't heard anyone refer to a .38/44 as a Model 1926.

[1Aspenhill]

38/44s before 1950 (and some after 1950) were called Transition Heavy Duties. I have not seen a short action HD below S77000 range. Short action HDs were Model of 1950 Heavy Duty. I do believe that I've seen some gold boxes with the designation of Model of 1926 on it. I"ll see what I can find.

[1Aspenhill]

Here you go:


Bill

[The Gila Bender]

Originally Posted by 1Aspenhill

Here you go:


Bill

"I'll take it."
Just kidding (well, not really).

As DWalt and Bill pointed out, the "1926 Model" moniker is unique to the .44 Military only. We call it "3rd model". Then came the short action "1950 Model", aka "4th model". I always think and speak "Triplelock" and "2nd Model" for the early .44 HE's, though that may not be correct. I don't believe that the .38/44 Heavy Duty had any other name, official or otherwise, until it became the Model 21.

I catalog my N frame collection as "1900-1940 prewar", "1946-1949 Transition", "1950-1958 premodel", and "Model #".