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09-10-2017, 09:23 PM
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Factory letter here on 38/44 HD.
We decided to get this recent gun show find lettered to find out a bit of the history.
Newest Smith here. 38/44 HD.
Shipped on October 15, 1949 to Wolf and Klar. Since the grips that came with it were not factory original I decided to get some aftermarket ones. Altamont bonded ivory ones that I have seen and held before. Pretty nice, I have seen and thought they have a nice look and feel without any legal issues on ivory and without the high cost of legal ivory.
A thorough clean up and even the blemish under the cylinder latch was gone and it looked nicer all around.
Before.
After.
Last edited by kmyers; 09-10-2017 at 09:24 PM.
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1Aspenhill, 357magster, deyomatic, Frank46, Jack Flash, JayCeeNC, Kansasgunner, kennethg, LOBO, mh51, montezumaz, M_conrad_0311, Richard Simmons, SAFireman, SFIDEC, Texas Star, usm1rifle, usmc2427765, Usmc5811, wheelgun610, Wiregrassguy |
09-10-2017, 10:59 PM
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That would make a nice .44 Special or .45 Colt. 
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09-10-2017, 11:01 PM
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Wolf & Klar offered replacement grips. If the grips on it were from Wolf & Klar, they will add to the value.
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09-10-2017, 11:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muley Gil
That would make a nice .44 Special or .45 Colt. |
That's mean!  If you want to make a N frame a 44 Spl or 45 Colt, use a M28-2 like I did! Not a nice 38/44.... 
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09-11-2017, 11:32 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muley Gil
That would make a nice .44 Special or .45 Colt. |
It makes an even nicer 38/44 HD.
I'm always a bit saddened by the lack of respect for this depression era cartridge, the immediate forerunner of the 357 Magnum. The 38/44 Heavy Duty is not just another 38 Special.
Dave
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09-17-2017, 09:00 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave T
It makes an even nicer 38/44 HD.
I'm always a bit saddened by the lack of respect for this depression era cartridge, the immediate forerunner of the 357 Magnum. The 38/44 Heavy Duty is not just another 38 Special.
Dave
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I am with you on keeping it in .38 Special as built. I can understand back in t he 30s and 40s re-chambering it for the .44 and .45 calibers since the higher speed .38 Special loads might not be available where a person lived and the more powerful loads would make sense in the heavier revolver than a standard power and pressure .38 load, but to re-chamber now would be like drawing a mustache on the Mona Lisa.
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09-18-2017, 01:21 AM
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Pretty sure that Frank Buck had one, before he got his .357 Magnum.
Many back then liked the .38-44 for its penetration on large animals. The listed penetration in pine boards was a couple more planks than the .44 Special in factory form. And S&W gave that info for the ordinary M&P. I think the High Velocity form would be even more formidable.
Today, Buffalo Bore makes probably the most potent round of that type, ever. I believe it'd also be a good choice for K-framed .357's, where one wants lethal power without pounding the gun too often with full Magnum ammo.
Last edited by Texas Star; 09-18-2017 at 01:26 AM.
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09-18-2017, 10:35 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by STCM(SW)
That's mean! If you want to make a N frame a 44 Spl or 45 Colt, use a M28-2 like I did! Not a nice 38/44.... |
I did. Back in 1976, I had a M27-2 3 1/2" blue converted to .44 Special, using a 6 1/2" S&W target barrel. It is now a 5" with a ramp front sight.
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