I got lucky! I purchased this near mint 38-44 just last week. I saw it advertised online and assumed it was a refinished gun. I was floored once I saw it in person. Once I picked my jaw up off the floor I could see that all the numbers matched to include the grips. The checkering on the grips is as sharp as can be. There is only the slightest of turn rings. I ran a patch with CLP through the bore and cylinder and got virtually no residue. And the box is amazing too with the matching s/n on a piece of white tape. I think it dates to about 1935-6. But I will yield to the experts, s/n 460XX. And do any of the experts have an idea of the value? Thanks.

Attached Images

	DSC03973.JPG (149.3 KB, 3534 views)
	DSC03974.JPG (146.9 KB, 3407 views)
	DSC03975.JPG (147.5 KB, 3341 views)
	DSC03976.JPG (119.7 KB, 3290 views)
	DSC03980.JPG (144.4 KB, 3196 views)

Whoa! Absolutely incredible!

__________________
Randy
Provenance nerd

Dayum! Thet thar is purty!

__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

I have no words!

...wow....

__________________
A Country Boy Can Survive

It’s a beauty! Member 1Aspenhill is the local expert on these but definitely shipped no earlier than 1935. Enjoy!

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Wow is right. You need to buy a lottery ticket now!

__________________
Rather be outdoors

Very pretty!!! It was a pre-war Heavy Duty that pushed me over the edge into this Forum and the SWCS. I think the SN starts with a 3.... I need to check.

Oh my goo’ness that’s fine. Well played.

__________________
Halfway and one more step

That is a great find. Lady luck was looking over your shoulder.

__________________
Ken

Apparently someone successfully invented the time machine...

s/n 460xx would indicate shipment probably in 1935, possibly in 1936. That one looks like it left the factory yesterday. In an auction, I'd say at least $2000, but that is just a guess. But it's worth getting a historical letter as there's a chance it may have some information that could increase its value.

I have always been surprised that such guns could have been left unused for over 80 years. I once had a friend who bought high-end new shotguns. He just kept them unfired in their original boxes in his attic. He had dozens of them. I also knew another guy who had rifles custom built for him in various oddball and wildcat calibers and also never shot them. In both cases I never understood why.

Here's one of mine...

Attached Images

HD 1934.jpg (118.5 KB, 270 views)

__________________
Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

Just perfect!

__________________
Thank you
Penmon AKA Jim

Absolutely beautiful. Like my old friend, Old Corp, has opined many times, we never see a Heavy Duty in NC, pristine or not.

We occasionally see an Outdoorsman, but I have only seen one Heavy Duty. One would think one would appear occasionally, especially since the Durham, NC Police Dept issued them in the '30's.

__________________
Bill

I mailed a letter request today.

Congrats. That's a stunner!

One of these days....

__________________
Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Value: SCSW-4 says $2,800 for the top of the line---and that's a two year old guesstimate.

I say it doesn't make any difference what you have to pay---only where you're going to find another one like that---and when (???).

I also say it only costs a little more to go first class---so go first class.

The last thing I say is you're going to have some more money tomorrow---and you're not going to have another one of those tomorrow---nor the next day-----nor----------------

Ralph Tremaine

What a beautiful package! I do hope that it also came with a grip screw...

Thanks for sharing,

__________________
Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Caught that did ya? lol Funny side note to this story. I took the grips off during my inspection at the seller's home. And then the seller and I got to talking. I went out to my truck for my phone to take a picture of the seller's driver's license for my records and when I returned he had put the grips back on. We completed the transaction, I put the revolver in it's box and headed home (giggling the whole way). Upon my return home the seller texts me to say "I!" had left the screw! He has since mailed it to me.

Are you sure it hasn't been refinished? The finish looks a bit dull.

Yes. I had tried to wipe off the oil before taking the pictures and didn't get it all. And I am using an old camera. If you saw it in the flesh you wouldn't question it.

Amazing find!

The serial of my half boxed heirloom is 437xx and dates to July of 1934.

Beautiful revolver! Took me a while but I found one about a year ago; left the factory in 1937. No box and a bit more wear than yours but a great revolver. Somewhere along the line someone replaced the stocks with ones from a circa 1940s revolver and I have been looking ever since for original stocks. If you run across any... Thanks - Again beautiful!

Incredible find. Congratulations.

Robert

__________________
Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

No single superlative is enough to describe your find, and purchase.

Here is one that is like yours only the box is not as pristine:

It has the grip screw


Enjoy yours-it is beautiful and a great find!
Bill

__________________
38-44heavyduty.com

Wow!! I am totally awed!!

Gorgeous and immaculate! I just bought my first ever 38/44 yesterday (Outdoorsman), and I am thrilled, but few will have a chance to own one like yours! Super congrats!

That is absolutely awesome- congrats to you sir!

__________________
Some Might Say.

Congratulations. That is N-frame fixed sight greatness

worth at least what you paid that day,,,,,,,,,

Lord. These good folks are sending me tests on my resolve of not to be an envious person.

But I remain strong in my convictions, thank to Thee.

And, I am gratefull to these good folks to be kind enough to share their precious treasures with this unworthy sinner.

Praise the Lord.

Amen!

Wow! I might just believe the seller invented time travel...did he have a young sidekick in an orange vest?

__________________
Psalm 27:2

Beautiful S&W. We are all happy for you.
Congratulations!

How does it shoot?

__________________
Buy American
Vote Responsibly

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA ! ! ! !

Value? Gosh, I'm sorry to say, that thing has no value whatsoever. It is a cheap Spanish copy of a Smith & Wesson. Probably not even safe to shoot! Please pack it up immediately and ship it to me. When I receive it I will send you back more information. You definitely don't want to leave a dirty, unsafe piece like this laying around! Get it to me as soon as possible. You will feel much better once it is out of your hands! Glad I could help!

I love a good Heavy Duty in its original picture box. Hard to beat a box and gun in that shape. Beautiful gun OP.

This one is a little later with some excellent magnas. The box is a little worn but all there with a glorious matching label on the bottom. Still haven't shot it yet, but will do so very soon. Hope yours gets some mild range time as well

SVT28


Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Forget the gun for awhile, if you see one in a box like this with grips like this, chances are REALLY good the rest of the gun is original also.

Charlie

Had to comment on this fine gun ,thanks for posting ,when you get the letter let us know ,kind of funny you being so excited you left the grip screw I had to laugh at that but I can relate .

That sir is a fantastic Heavy Duty! Well done! My two Heavy Duties are shooter’s, and they are a pleasure to shoot.

__________________
Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL

I'm not big on wheel guns (even though I own 2) but, WOW..........that is one pretty gun!

If you hadn't stated that it's "pre war", I never would have guessed it was that old.

Now that we've all agreed to the great condition, lets argue over the condition percentage as posted. First, no gun comes from the factory at 100%. They just don't do it, and given a magnifier I can find at least on minor blemish, like where a fly sat 80 years ago, etc. If the OP can see a turn line or the beginning of one, it shouldn't be listed as 99.9%. Its been degraded to an honest 98%. Not bad at all, but over rating a gun only leads to more dishonest condition ratings from other sellers.

So I like the gun. Its great.

__________________
Dick Burg

The letter came pretty quick but I am just now getting around to posting it.

Attached Images

20180507_121517.jpg (69.7 KB, 141 views)

Reading it fast my eyes thought they saw J.E. Hoover. Nice LEO gun in great shape. congrats on that.

__________________
ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

Cool letter! With a quick online search there are several newspaper references to J L Hoover, as either a police officer or the “chief assistant “ of police chief Harry Parker of Jefferson ‘City’, MO (the state capital) from the late 1920s to late 1930s.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

What's funny about asking how it shoots?

The turn line won't get any bigger running a cylinder or two through it, even if you don't shoot it again. Man, talk about avoiding pleasure.

Cool piece though.

Oh you were serious? I have shot an HD before. Didn't want to shoot this collector piece that appears to be unfired. I guess you could ask the collector I sold it to if he has shot it.

I too had a 38/44 Heavy Duty that was in perfect condition that shipped to a Police Department in the Northeast. You've got a great looking gun!