So finally got a chance to get my first year production nickel 38/44 HD to the range. Doing some research and with help from the experts on this forum this was shipped to the Township of Tonawanda police in 1930. I grew up in Tonawanda so it has some home town meaning to me.

Using some 158 SWC reloads I placed the target at 50'. I squeezed off six rounds all double action. Man that action takes forever to get the hammer all the way back but it was smooth as silk. First two shots to the left, two in the black, one to the right and the final in the black.

Not too shabby for a 90 year old police revolver with my 51 year old bifocal wearing eyes!

I had other revolvers with me but this was the most fun just from a nostalgia stand point alone. I found my new range toy!

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Even though I love .38-44s to death, I find it more interesting that you're from Tonawanda! My employer's U.S. HQ (Used to be Praxair but merged with Linde last month) is there and in addition to a few week long trips, I spent 3 solid weeks there a few years back for initial training. As bad as it was being away from home that long, we had a blast. Hit up Buffalo downtown a few times and parked and walked across the bridge to Can on the weekends (not worth the risk driving back in a company vehicle!).

Unfortunately none of my .38-44s are attributed to PD's,
I managed to accumulate a double trifecta though. I have one each pre-war, post war long action and post war short action examples of both Heavy Duty and Outdoorsman varieties.
(and, yes the upper right HD has a humpback hammer and pre-war magnas!)

__________________
Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292