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05-27-2017, 06:00 PM
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S&W 38-44 transitional
Just got a postwar 38 heavy duty s/n s754XX with 5 in barrel. Hammer is long throw flat type. My question is the s/n falls in the mod of1950 or pre mod 20 range. Anyone ever seen one like this.
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05-27-2017, 06:23 PM
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That's a beauty, apparently cut to 5" with new sight attached. Or could be an original 5" with reshaped original 1/2 moon sight. Only better photos or an historical letter will tell.
Serial number ranges are not an exact science and frequently overlap with known ranges. Your example may just be a new milestone for the Transitional (pre 1950) serial range.
Enjoy!
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05-27-2017, 06:57 PM
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Thanks Jim, I don't think the barrel was cut just the sight modified. If one didn't know it was supposed to be half moon from factory you'd think it was stock. The base is serrated at rear. Whoever did it was good.
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05-30-2017, 08:36 AM
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Your gun is a transitional HD with the pre war style hammer.
Bill
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05-30-2017, 11:59 AM
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Nice looking HD! Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass!
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SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629
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05-30-2017, 09:54 PM
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Sight
Sight pic attached
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05-31-2017, 12:12 AM
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Yep looks like original sight reworked.
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06-01-2017, 05:32 PM
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Agree, the original front sight has been messed with. S754xx would date likely shipment to some time around late 1949-early 1950. The first short action N-frame appeared around September 1950 in the SN S79xxx area, and I will assume that is the start of the so-called "pre-Model 20".
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06-01-2017, 06:12 PM
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Thanks for the good information. Looks like I got one of the last of the transitionals. Wish the sight wasn't modified but I got it at a fair price for these days.
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06-02-2017, 11:26 AM
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Purist and collectors will highly dis-approve of the modified front sight (understandably). But, having fired my share of S&Ws with the traditional half-moon front blade, I would bet that sight is a great improvement in terms of picking it up and seeing it more clearly. Very cool.
Dave
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06-02-2017, 12:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave T
Purist and collectors will highly dis-approve of the modified front sight (understandably). But, having fired my share of S&Ws with the traditional half-moon front blade, I would bet that sight is a great improvement in terms of picking it up and seeing it more clearly. Very cool.
Dave
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Dave, I have several with the stock sight and this mod does make it easier to shoot. The pistol is a shooter anyway so it's all good.
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06-02-2017, 01:17 PM
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I agree that the original "half moon with base" front sight has probably been reworked. Here's a shot of what an original looks like, and there's enough metal there to allow the rework shown.
John
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Last edited by PALADIN85020; 06-02-2017 at 10:17 PM.
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06-02-2017, 02:10 PM
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Thanks John, good picture, about what year is your heavy duty ? With the rework my sight looks taller.
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06-02-2017, 10:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dawsore
Thanks John, good picture, about what year is your heavy duty ? With the rework my sight looks taller.
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Mine is a 4", Roy says it was shipped in November 1957. I wonder if different heights were used for different barrel lengths, or if a higher blade was substituted in the base during the rework?
John
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Last edited by PALADIN85020; 06-02-2017 at 10:31 PM.
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06-02-2017, 11:32 PM
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Mine's probably taller being a 5in now that you mention it. Looks to me like it's the original blade reshaped and thinned.
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