Traded a Model 66-2 4" barrel in average condition for what I was told was a 38-44 at local gun show yesterday. I'm fairly familiar with post 60's S&W's but not Pre 60's. I recently posted an S prefix M&P snubbie and received excellent feedback. I'm now reaching out again to see exactly what I came away with. The only thing I know is the front sight has been altered and grips are not original to gun. All comments will be much appreciated.
Ray

Attached Images

	S&W 38 44 -1.jpg (64.4 KB, 565 views)
	S&W 38 44 -2.jpg (66.5 KB, 488 views)
	S&W 38 44 -3.jpg (76.9 KB, 437 views)
	S&W 38 44 -4.jpg (62.8 KB, 426 views)

More pictures 38 44

Attached Images

	S&W 38 44 -5.jpg (73.3 KB, 321 views)
	S&W 38 44 - 6.jpg (47.9 KB, 302 views)
	S&W 38 44 - 7.jpg (80.7 KB, 287 views)
	s&w 38 44 Grip.jpg (100.8 KB, 284 views)

After looking at pictures in post I noticed pictures made images look funky. Maybe these closeups will show better detail.

Attached Images

	S&W 38 44 Close Up -1.jpg (70.7 KB, 232 views)
	S&W 38 44 Close Up - 2.jpg (62.8 KB, 227 views)
	S&W 38 44 Close Up - 3.jpg (52.5 KB, 224 views)
	S&W 38-44 Close Up - 4.jpg (62.2 KB, 214 views)

It indeed looks like an earlier HD, but has very likely been nickel plated (or re-plated) outside the factory. It was probably originally nickel plated. The front sight has also been modified. S72102 would date its shipment to 1948. The closest on my list is S719xx shipping in 6/48. The target grips would not be correct, and I note that the SN stamped inside the grips is from much later.

Your gun is a .38/.44 Heavy Duty. It appears to be original nickel and my database shows that it shipped in Dec 1948. Interesting that the stocks do have a number as that only happened early on in the production of target stocks numbered to a particular gun. Nice find!

I'd like to see close ups of each side of the grip frame please.

__________________
38-44heavyduty.com

You did good. It's also what is known as a transitional model, you can tell by the hammer and it's appears to be a factory nickel finish. Nice, 66's are a dime a dozen.

Looks like a good trade to me! Congrats.

__________________
Randy
Provenance nerd

I would second this request, along with a top shot of the front sight.

Cool gun!

__________________
Even older, even crankier....

I'd have too say it was originally a nickel gun, based on the 'N' in the cylinder under the extractor. I woulda gladly traded 66's all day for those in that condition. If it's been refinished, it appears to have been done right, likely back where it was born.

Mark

__________________
S&W Forum Member #721

I will take grip frame and front sight pictures tonight and get it posted. Thanks for interest.

That would be a birth year gun for me (missed the month by one). I'm not a fan of nickeled guns but I'll go buy a M-66 and trade you back for it! (smile)

Oh, and I like those old, worn stocks. They have character.

Dave

__________________
RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

Attached are pictures requested of butt frame and altered front sight.. After looking at backstrap closely I noticed it looks to have been sanded and buffed. There are some faint stampings but can't make out what it says. I will post another picture of backstrap following this one.

Attached Images

	S&W 38 44 -11.jpg (61.6 KB, 221 views)
	S&w 38 44 - 12.jpg (63.4 KB, 231 views)
	s&w 38 44 - 13.jpg (76.0 KB, 221 views)
	S&W 38 44 - 14.jpg (45.5 KB, 206 views)

Backstrap shows faint signs of stamping I can't make out. Would not have known there could possibly be stamping except I've seen some Police Department stampings on other pictures shown on internet searches. Not sure why previous owner(s) would want info removed. Makes me wonder...

Attached Images

	S&W 38 44 BackStrap.jpg (45.8 KB, 214 views)
	S&W 38 44 Bore.jpg (41.7 KB, 166 views)

I'm betting the nickel is original on it, not a re-nickel. The lines are factory sharp, there's no apparent dishing of the screw holes, and the front site looks like it was blued or blacked and not nickeled after the modification.

Very cool!

__________________
Even older, even crankier....

I like it! I agree you did good.

__________________
Tim
SWCA #2697

With the stamping on the backstrap - I am guessing a Police Dept Revolver at one time?? Nice trade in my mind! Congrats!

__________________
Tony in Papillion, NE

+1 on good trade ! You're gonna like shooting that one !

Larry

After looking at the pictures, and not being able to inspect the gun up close, I think the finish and the gun is original except for the grips.

__________________
38-44heavyduty.com

Possibly an Austin Police Dept. gun. I think the serial numbers are out there somewhere
SWCA 892

1Aspenhill... First off...Thank you for your comments and interest.
Do you think it would be helpful/beneficial for me to send off for a letter from Mr. Jinks? The faint stampings on the backstrap leave me curious of it's beginnings. Would a letter showing where it originally shipped indicate if it was a Police Dept, Highway Patrol, etc?

I'm not Bill but I'll share my thoughts with a fellow Alabamian. I wouldn't get a letter because you won't gain any value with one. The backstrap has been sanded and a significant portion of the finish removed. Plus, most LEO guns don't usually have an elevated collector value. They're sorta like curio shooters. Anyway, YMMV.

__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Thanks Wiregrassguy...You could have just hollered from Ashford and I'd probably heard you. I might just apply that $75.00 letter charge toward a $20.00 (LOL) set of age appropriate Magna stocks. Really...I'm ready to get the right ammo and blow some holes in an armored car or something similar.
Ray from Smokerise

Age-appropriate magnas from that era will run you a lot more than $20. I think I have some N-frame rubber stocks that will cover that backstrap. They'll be sorta ugly, but are comfortable to shoot. Let me know and I'll rummage through my grips.

__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Wanted to show off my 38/44 wearing her new stocks. Won these on Ebay auction from a Fella in Connecticut and wanted to show M'Lady wearing her already broken in shoes. Stocks are nowhere near perfect but much improved over what she was wearing when I got her a month or so ago. Panel is stamped 71688 and revolver's SN is 72102.

Attached Images

	S&W 38-44 Grips Pic 1.jpg (48.5 KB, 109 views)
	S&W 38-44 Grips Pic 2.jpg (51.9 KB, 116 views)
	S&W 38-44 Grips Pic 3.jpg (55.6 KB, 89 views)

Ya done good scoring those grips. Seems to be a good fit.

Now lets talk about the front sight, and why it alone would be cause to get it lettered. When you send in your nickels and dimes, make sure you include a nice printed picture of the sight for them. It looks to me like its a half-target model and pretty darn scarce. It very well could be original and boosts the value by at least the value of the letter (or not.) I seem to remember others like that. I'm kind of wondering why Aspenhill didn't comment on it. I think Merlindb has an RM with that option.

__________________
Dick Burg

As to why the markings were removed, I'd surmise for the same reason so many 1917s have the "US Property" marking ground off the underside of the barrel: a prior owner was afraid of being accused of having a stolen police firearm in his possession. Not saying it was necessarily a rational fear, but it was a common one back when these were tools, not collectors' items.

__________________
I need ammo, not a ride.

It looks like those stocks (in the first post) have been modified. Too bad. If they were in their original condition they would be worth a lot by themselves.

If that's a refinish, I would love to know the name of the artist who did it.

__________________
You're shy a few manners.

Often, when a PD surplussed gear, the department markings would be either removed or defaced in some way. Pictures of Washington State Police revolvers with the back strap markings ground away have been posted here on the Forum.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Let's see:You traded a .357 Magnum of reasonable size and weight and stainless construction for a nickeled .38 that's heavier to wear. And adjustable sights for fixed.

Not a trade I'd make!

I think the M-66 is the best all-round revolver S&W ever made.

Unless you were just a collector or feeling nostalgic about older Smiths, why did you do this?

I have a nice M66-1 that I'd trade for the OP's revolver any day.

Why? You can shoot any .38 ammo in the M-66 and it'll hold cylinder timing better, because the hand has less mass to shove around.

And the M-66 is stainless. His nickle finish is already flaking under the grips.

Not being sarcastic. I really just don't see the advantage of an old, heavy, nickel gun with fixed sights over the M-66..

Totally agree the M66 is a fine revolver. I have another M66 4" in excellent condition along with the 2 1/2" version too. I had been reading forum comments about the 38/44 and was at a local gun show and a fella had this nickel 38/44 for trade. Since I'm a certified Nickelholic and like to own and shoot a variety of S&W revolvers...I made the deal. Trading off an average condition M66 4" knowing I had one in excellent condition just sealed the deal for me. My favorite S&W is actually the M586 4" in nickel. All that being said, I am thoroughly enjoying venturing out into these older S&W's produced during the mid to late 40's. There are very knowledgeable folks in this 1896-1961 forum category and I find much satisfaction absorbing their vast knowledge and feedback.
Again, I agree with your evaluation on the M66 as being a great revolver. Maybe my explanation answers your question of why I did this.