Found one. Serial number says 1956-57, closer to '56. Honest wear, some pitting, mechanically perfect. The stocks have been butchered, sanded smooth over the rectangle outline. Diamond gone, checkering gone, terrible shame. Numbers match, although I don't know about the stocks because I didn't check. Price on the tag is $519. What say the masses . . . ?

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Brother...Thats right where I would have to take a good long look at that one. I'm not a finish freak but I do like me some good looking revolvers. From your description I would label that an excellent shooter grade, especially if you were going for the grit with some Keith bullets and powder to push them. I prefer a larger caliber for that kind of work but if the .38 is your bag you would have a hard time finding a nicer example for that price...the disclaimer is that you have a fine period correct pre-model, you could spend alot less for something of lesser quality but it ain't gonna be a HD, they have their own following and while I prefer the Outdoorsman I wouldn't trade mine for any modern .38/357 handgun.

I would jump on it. Can't find a 38/44 around here. . . ever! That's why I don't have one. I've got a pair of diamond magnas and diamond targets just waiting for a gun like that. What's on it would go in the trash can matching or not.

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Dr. B

Most any .38/44 not in terrible condition will bring at least $500.

I feel fortunate to have found a very nice one - shipped in 1957 according to Roy Jinks. I understand the Model marking was not applied on most of these guns until a number of years after the authorization for that in 1957. This one has no such marking.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Muss, the most important thing is what say you? If it perks you, buy it.
me, I would stop and look at it. Would I pass, I dont know.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

I would have jumped on it, quick like.

It's hard to visualize, a picture would have helped, but the price doesn't sound bad for a nice shooter. Grips hardly ever match anyway.

Well, I would say that one thing you have said would possibly make it a "buy." That is the condition of the action..... you said "mechanically perfect." Finish matters can be dealt with. Even a little pitting is ok as long as it doesn't impair accuracy. A refinish would deal with the worn appearance. Grip stocks are rather plentiful and can be found, even at a reasonable price. However, problems with the action/timing/carry-up etc. can be more problematical and would cause me to steer away and wait for another prospective buy later. Another may be more money but it could also be free of woe....

I think I'd do it. I never understood the attraction of an N frame fixed sight .38 Special, until I got my only one due to a Facebook trade with a guy who thought it was a Model 10. He even had it stuffed unsuccessfully in a K frame holster.



It was refinished and had some K frame Jay Scott pearlies on it. I got some Taiwanese magnas from eBay and took it to the range.



But man, does it shoot. There is just something about it. I had originally thought to convert it to .45 Colt or .44 Special, but now I am content to leave it as is. It feels like it wants to just jump up and shoot some sassy bandits all on its own.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

I don't have original (#'s matching) magna stocks on my pre-model 28. They are era appropriate, though. Doesn't really bother me because the gun had been refinished long ago.

A way to get around non-original or damaged stocks would be targets...but if you think diamond targets for K frames are over priced, wait til you start looking at N frames. They might be as much as the OP's gun itself, meaning they ain't worth it.

IMO, I'd go for that gun at that price, not worrying too much about stocks or minor surface distractions. Sort of like buying the most affordable house in a nice neighborhood: it's kind of hard to lose.
Best wishes.

Hand Ejector.jpg

My Jink's letter might help explain why .38/44 HD's are hard to come by. I requested letters for two .44 Spl. Hand Ejector Model 2's I've owned for decades. The information provided by Roy on the younger of the two (pictured above) was a complete surprise. I knew it had been refinished but was totally unprepared for what the letter revealed.

Jink's Letter 1.jpg

I'll post the older letter results and pics in another post when I get some better pictures, hopefully next week.

Bought it. Like I said earlier, it's a shooter, and the stocks are a mess. I was hoping they were at least numbered to the revolver, but they are not. All the other numbers match. The mechanics are perfect. $460 and it is mine . . .

Attached Images

	Smith and Wesson 38 44 one.jpg (69.6 KB, 147 views)
	Smith and Wesson 38 44 two.jpg (67.4 KB, 139 views)

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Those look like K frame grips to me. No loss, for sure.

Congratulations on a gun with a lot of character (the good kind). I bet it shoots.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

I kinda thought the same, but they are numbered, and it's a number close to this serial number. I'm wondering if they just weren't sanded down so much to get the checkering off that they look like K's . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

For my taste a set of old Sambar Stags would look great on that old piece.

Not a bad idea . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I like it! some of these 38/44 HD's got carried a lot, yours looks a lot like one I picked up last year finish wise.



I found another one earlier this year, it has its own set of challenges, but they both shoot great!

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Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL

Glad you got it. You can have a lot of fun with that one. Do whatever you want to it and make it yours.

It would be a good project gun for a DIY rust blue finish. Original period N-frame Magnas can be a little expensive. Someone earlier mentioned the Thai grips sold on eBay, and I can vouch for them being a very good buy for use on a shooter-grade gun. There are numerous styles available.

Muss,
You should be grinn'n from ear to ear! My 38/44 HD is much older than yours, made in 1930, but if the trigger on yours, is anything like mine, you will love it. Lots of people would prefer that honest well used patina, to engraving. You might want to try a pair of stag grips, and a t-grip. Many of them including mine, were set up, back in the day, with that combination. They look, and feel good, setup that way, but, try until you find the combination, that you like, and I bet you won't take all of the tea in China for it. ENJOY!
Chubbo

That weapon screams character !! I can almost see a peace officer from years past with it riding on his hip, perhaps in an S.D. Myres floral carved rig.

Well, now that you mention it, this came with:

Attached Images

38 44 holster.jpg (96.3 KB, 45 views)

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

You'll really enjoy that classic. It obviously has some character. I'd be tempted to letter it - high probability it has LEO history, especially with that holster.

Shooting a HD is like dancing with a Big Boned Gal who really knows her way around the dance floor...

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Mitch
SWCA 2438

Nice one. I would definitely letter that one but might consider a refinish due to condition. Ford's could make her beautiful again. Period grips might be hard to come by but they are out there.

You got a great deal, Muss. Congrats!

I personally would be, in a way, glad that the grip numbers didn't match the gun, given how much they messed them up. The other day I checked on line and found some N frame diamond grips in good shape. The forum won't allow me to tell you where they are, but just look in one of the obvious non-gun specific locations that sells used items.

That old gal is purt near broke in. Enjoy it.

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Eccentric old coot