N Frame 38 Special

jgh4445 · #1 02-13-2016, 12:23 AM

My son bought a small gun collection today and this one and a model 10 were in the group. What is it? When he looked for the model number on the yoke, it only had a four digit number, no model number. Under the S&W roll mark it has the MR address line. Could it be an Outdoorsman or a pre 20?

Muley Gil · #2 02-13-2016, 12:31 AM

That is a .38/44 Heavy Duty. It became the Model 20 in 1957. The Outdoorsman had adjustable sights.

KEN L · #3 02-13-2016, 12:35 AM

It is a .38-44 Heavy Duty (Pre Model 20) from about May 1952. Nice looking piece. Your son is very fortunate!

Wiregrassguy · #4 02-13-2016, 12:14 PM

Nice pickup! Bill (1Aspenhill) has a website and keeps a database for these HD guns. He will likely want the SN for his database. Might give him a PM in case he misses this thread.

jgh4445 · #5 02-13-2016, 02:21 PM

Guessing 500-600ish?

Wiregrassguy · #6 02-13-2016, 02:25 PM

I suggest going to gunbroker.com and looking at the completed auctions for the .38/44 HD's to get an approximate market value. But, I'd say you are low in your value estimate by $200-300.

DWalt · #7 02-13-2016, 04:51 PM

I cannot date shipment of your HD precisely, but a good guess from the SN would be sometime in the second half 1952 based on some nearby SNs I have on my list. It looks to be in good condition, and I'd think at least $700 or so would be achievable in a private sale. You may wish to see if the chambers have been lengthened to accept .357 Magnum cartridges, as sometimes HDs and Outdoorsmen are found that way. You are probably aware that the .38-44 cartridge is nothing more than a heavily-loaded .38 Special, almost, but not quite, in the .357 power level. That cartridge is now obsolete (and has been since the early 1970s), but it is not at all difficult to reload the .38 Special to that velocity.

Club Gun Fan · #8 02-13-2016, 11:00 PM

Quote "I cannot date shipment of your HD precisely, but a good guess from the SN would be sometime in the second half 1952 based on some nearby SNs I have on my list."
You need to get a factory letter to get a "precise" date. Self proclaimed experts are just good guessers. I've seen shipping records where consecutively numbered guns have shipped two years apart.

1Aspenhill · #9 02-18-2016, 10:03 AM

Don is correct in that you need a factory letter to tell you exactly when it left the factory. With that said, it is a very good chance that it was shipped in 1952. Yes, I am a good guesser Don!
Bill

H Richard · #10 02-18-2016, 10:59 AM

If you decide you want to sell it, please list it here on the "Classifieds". You will get a pretty good response. Read the "rules" before listing.

Nevada Ed · #11 02-18-2016, 01:09 PM

Looks like very little wear on the cylinder.
Very nice find................. its a keeper !!

jgh4445 · #12 02-18-2016, 10:50 PM

As I said, my son bought it as part of a collection. He also got a mod 10 no dash and a 32 hand ejector. He runs and is part owner of a sporting goods store in Montgomery Alabama. The store is Walter Craig's Sportsman's HQ. If anyone is interested,look the store up and give him a call. Ask for James. He'd ship to an FFL I'm sure. Tell him you read about it here.