I have a 38/44 that I think is a model of 1950, but I would appreciate a confirmation from the all knowing S&W forum.
It is serial number S105411
5" bbl, sq butt, smooth fore and back straps.
No model number.

From what I can find, I think about 1953 ~ 1954.

Thanks in advance.
WR

__________________
God, Country, Family

S105411 probably shipped in April or May of 1954. I have an HD with a very close SN, 4" barrel.

Isn't a Model of 1950 a .44'or .45?

I don't think the factory ever applied the term "1950" to the .38-44 HD or Outdoorsman. I believe that those who use the term thusly are using it to specify the short-action N frame that the factory switched to in about 1950. I had never heard or read the term applied to the big .38's until I started reading it on this forum.

The reason that I am asking, is that I had never heard it called "Model of 1950" either until I saw it named as such in my old SCSW-2 on page 113.

And, mine being in the serial number range between 1948, and before model 20 designation in 1957, I was courious if this designation was or is appropriate.

Thanks

__________________
God, Country, Family

I believe that those guns that are properly called "Model of 1950" are so marked on the barrel.

See SCSW 4th Edition, page 182 for a description of ".38/44 Heavy Duty Model of 1950 'Pre-Model 20'"

The depicted revolver does not show a barrel stamp of Model of 1950, at least on the right side of the barrel. Describes 4" and 5" barrels, with 6.5" rare. Serial nmber range S75000 - S256133 with 9,493 manufactured 1950-1957, then continued as Model 20 until 1966.

__________________
Some collect art; I shoot it!

I'm not aware that the ".38/44 Heavy Duty" was ever officially called anything other than that until model numbering began. The "Model of 1950" nomenclature appears to have been used only for N-frames chambered in .44 and .45 ACP.

The Model of 1950 was applied to the action and the barrel rib. I'd be comfortable calling any N frame gun with those features a Model of 1950.

__________________
Dick Burg

And so may others, but in the early 1950s neither the .38/44 Heavy Duty Service (plain barrel) nor the .38/44 Outdoorsman Target (ribbed barrel) were shown in S&W's advertising as being a Model of 1950.

The only revolvers described as being the "Model of 1950" are the .44 Military (plain barrel), the .44 Target (ribbed barrel), the .45 Army (plain barrel) , and the .45 Target (ribbed barrel). Apparently S&W considered both ribbed and plain barrels in .44 and .45 calibers as being Models of 1950.

The only reference I know of to the 1950 Model 38/44 Outdoorsman, NT-38.

Bill

Intriguing, if the factory didn't refer to the 38/44's manufactured after 1950 with all the updates applied to the building of these revolvers, and prior to them being givin a model designation, I wonder why Jim Suipica and Richard Nahas have repeatedly referred to them as such.

I just picked up my copy of SCSW 4th edition, and the same reference is in there.

__________________
God, Country, Family

Bill, thanks for posting this. It caused me to look in Roy's "The History of Smith & Wesson", and he also references "the .38/44 Outdoorsman Model of 1950" on page 212. However, there is no such reference for the .38/44 Heavy Duty.

Thanks,
WR

__________________
God, Country, Family

WR I did the same thing, I find this to be very interesting and enjoyed learning something a little on the obscure side of the Mark.

And so it does. Mental note made. Thanks for the reference.