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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 12-23-2020, 09:09 PM
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.38/44 Heavy Duty, Post World War II Transition Variation .38/44 Heavy Duty, Post World War II Transition Variation .38/44 Heavy Duty, Post World War II Transition Variation .38/44 Heavy Duty, Post World War II Transition Variation .38/44 Heavy Duty, Post World War II Transition Variation  
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Default .38/44 Heavy Duty, Post World War II Transition Variation

I am posting this one again because... I really like it.

And, I thought you might also.


My one and only .38/44 Heavy Duty.

enjoy,

bdGreen

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Old 12-23-2020, 10:02 PM
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Absolutely gorgeous! Most of your revolvers are.

I have only one smallbore N frame, a 5” barreled 38/44 Heavy Duty. Bought it with the intention of using it for trading stock. It has the post 1950 short action and shoots well. It left the factory in 1950 I have been told by the previous owner. The Skeeter load with the long seated 358156 is a winner in my revolver!

Kevin
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Old 12-23-2020, 10:24 PM
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Somebody needs to take that beauty out and get it properly broken in
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Old 12-24-2020, 01:19 AM
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When you say that you're posting pics of your "one and only" model, I know I'm about to see a beauty!
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Old 12-24-2020, 05:11 AM
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Very handsome Heavy Duty! And a transitional to boot, what’s not to like. Thanks for sharing that one!
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Old 12-24-2020, 09:56 AM
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Bruce,
Here is your twin:
S63604


Shipped July 11, 1946 to Decatur and Hopkins, Boston, MA
Bill
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Old 12-24-2020, 12:47 PM
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Dang, Bruce!!! You post my birth year AND birth place gun. Delivered 6 weeks after I was to a store visited by my parents an grandparent a few blocks for where I was delivered. This is a whole new definition for 'birth year gun"! Let me see what I have to trade.....
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Old 12-24-2020, 01:57 PM
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Beauties, all three!

I'm (a little) green with envy.
I never tire of gazing at these... keep 'em coming!
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Old 12-24-2020, 03:09 PM
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Bruce,

Send it back to where it belongs! I bet that gun has a story beyond the distributor!

Merry Christmas from Texas y'all!
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Old 12-24-2020, 03:17 PM
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Not sure you want this one back.

It speaks 'Norski' since it spent time in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Don't know if you will be able to understand the 'accent'.

Being from Minnesota myself, it speaks to me just fine. Ha.

It doesn't have a Texas drawl anymore.

bdGreen
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Old 12-24-2020, 03:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bdGreen View Post
Not sure you want this one back.

It speaks 'Norski' since it spent time in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Don't know if you will be able to understand the 'accent'.

Being from Minnesota myself, it speaks to me just fine. Ha.

It doesn't have a Texas drawl anymore.

bdGreen
Some tamales and Dos Equis and it'll be good to go, sounds good eh?

I spent some time in Lacrosse and Chippewa Falls (at the Leinenkugel brewery) I almost understand the canuks

Merry Christmas Bruce
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Old 12-24-2020, 08:23 PM
.357magger .357magger is offline
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Beautiful H/D's. Just stunning.

Thanks for sharing them.

While not as "pristine " as the blued examples above, I'm pretty fond of my 1947 model in nickel. It's been refinished, but was done well imo, and is a delightful shooter. One of my favorites.

And...MERRY CHRISTMAS to all !!!
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Old 12-24-2020, 09:13 PM
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I wish I could buy a new one of that quality today at the inflated price of $422. $32 wasn't that much money in 1946. But then the war had just ended and there probably weren't that many jobs around. Not to mention the abundance of surplus revolvers. I recall buying a surplus Webley for about $16 in 1966, 20 years after the war was over. There was still plenty of surplus even then.
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Old 12-25-2020, 02:17 AM
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I only have one Heavy Duty myself. This one sold for $43.09 when delivered in 1954. Shoots wonderfully. A little holster wear adds character.
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Old 12-25-2020, 08:21 AM
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Just curious, those of us with Heavy Duties, (or even the OutDoorsman), what loads are you using in them.

I use the 358156, seated long over a heavy dose of Unique or 2400. Either load is great and shoots to the sights on my old 5”.

So, what do you use?

Kevin
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Old 12-25-2020, 11:08 AM
.357magger .357magger is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StrawHat View Post
Just curious, those of us with Heavy Duties, (or even the OutDoorsman), what loads are you using in them.

I use the 358156, seated long over a heavy dose of Unique or 2400. Either load is great and shoots to the sights on my old 5”.

So, what do you use?

Kevin
Don't reload so I can't help you there but...

Back before "The Great 2020 Drought " I got several boxes of Buffalo Bore 38 Special "Outdoorsman " loads. IIRC, about 1200 fps or thereabouts to duplicate the original Super Police or High Speed loadings of the 1930s.

Dead on with the irons at 25 yards with a 6 o'clock hold.

They were expensive then, now I think they're about $3000 per round, if you can find them.

There have been several threads with sources of reloading data in the last year. A search of the Forum may land you the info you seek.

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Old 12-25-2020, 11:21 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by .357magger View Post
... Don't reload so I can't help you there but...

Back before "The Great 2020 Drought " I got several boxes of Buffalo Bore 38 Special "Outdoorsman " loads. IIRC, about 1200 fps or thereabouts to duplicate the original Super Police or High Speed loadings of the 1930s.

Dead on with the irons at 25 yards with a 6 o'clock hold.

They were expensive then, now I think they're about $3000 per round, if you can find them...
Good to know about BB. Bummer about high cost. Maybe an end of the year sale, $2995!


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... There have been several threads with sources of reloading data in the last year. A search of the Forum may land you the info you seek...
Sorry, I may have worded it misleadingly. I have my preferred recipes. I was just curious as to what others were using.

Kevin
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Old 12-25-2020, 12:58 PM
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What's not to love about the venerable Heavy Duty? This is my 4" HD transitional, S66431, shipped July 1948. Only 21 numbers apart from the OP's HD, yet it shipped two years later! Photos by Pete "beagleye" from whom I bought this fine example in August 2018.

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Old 12-25-2020, 08:10 PM
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Bruce and others:

Great thread with beautiful HDs!! I'll add some photos of SN S65930, a well-used HD that also shipped from the factory in July 1946. I'm not sure where it shipped to, but it could be one of the 7 that shipped with Bruce's HD??? Unlike the others above, it accepts both .357 and 38 Special. At least the person who modified the cylinder was kind enough to mark the barrel, so I did not have to check and see if the cylinder was bored to accept the longer .357 Magnum round...





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Old 01-17-2021, 11:06 PM
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Interesting post and fantastic photos.
Serial # S657xx
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Old 01-17-2021, 11:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StrawHat View Post
Just curious, those of us with Heavy Duties, (or even the OutDoorsman), what loads are you using in them.

I use the 358156, seated long over a heavy dose of Unique or 2400. Either load is great and shoots to the sights on my old 5”.

So, what do you use?

Kevin
My Pre-war likes Underwood +P Keiths. Probably pushing 1200 fps out of a 5 inch. BANG!

With the box:


In the bag:
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Old 07-12-2021, 01:53 PM
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Default Post War 38/44, 5" all numbers match, Price

I have been looking at a model 38/44 heavy duty, 5 " barrel. The owner is been firm on $900. I would rate it at better than 80%. Not being familiar with these. Is that a fair price?
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Old 07-12-2021, 02:44 PM
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My first inclination is buy it now! 😎 But would have to see it first. I haven’t seen one for sale at that price in a long time.
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Old 07-12-2021, 07:57 PM
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I bought this setup about ten years ago including the Lawrence for 700 dollars at a swap meet. I have one other that was converted by someone to 45 Colt by Alan Harton. The gun wears the last set of grips fitted to a gun by Roy Fishpaw.
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Old 07-12-2021, 09:20 PM
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I can't resist, although my paltry offerings are what they are.


This model of 1950 is one of my keepers, just something about the 4" models. June 1954




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Old 07-12-2021, 10:00 PM
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I found my transition 4" HD (SN: S645xx) in a pawn shop in Houston about 35 years ago. I had to give $150. It didn't have the original grips, but has really good finish.

Looking back, it was my first "collectible".
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Old 07-16-2021, 01:48 PM
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After, asking for more pictures,of the post war 38/44. The owner showed me pictures,of different areas. I noticed,pitting,on the trigger guard,as well as other areas of the bottom. I have decided,to pass,on this one. I think I could do better,for what he wants for it.
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Old 07-21-2021, 09:24 PM
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I should have it’s twin in my hands by Friday. Another one of my holy grails. Should pair up nicely with my 520.
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Old 07-21-2021, 09:27 PM
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Why didn’t Smith ever do these in their classic series? Would have been easy to do. Just chamber a Thunder Ranch in 38.
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Old 07-21-2021, 09:35 PM
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S66110 checking in.....



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Old 07-21-2021, 10:03 PM
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I recently posted about a 38/44HD I just acquired. As I compare what it looks like to the pictures posted here, I'm having a hard time distinguishing mine, which I think is 38/44HD Mod 50, and the transitional version. What am I missing that makes it different from the gun I have.
Here is a picture of mine with some old Jay Scott N-frame grips I had. I need to find some good wood for it.
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Old 07-21-2021, 10:25 PM
.357magger .357magger is offline
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Originally Posted by Summersteel View Post
I recently posted about a 38/44HD I just acquired. As I compare what it looks like to the pictures posted here, I'm having a hard time distinguishing mine, which I think is 38/44HD Mod 50, and the transitional version. What am I missing that makes it different from the gun I have.
Here is a picture of mine with some old Jay Scott N-frame grips I had. I need to find some good wood for it.

First tip off is the hammer. Note the difference in shape between your later variation (Model 20 or pre 20 depending on year made and markings inside the frame/crane) and those pictured as Transitional. Totally different actions between the two.

The Transitional guns are those with pre war action/features but shipping post war.

Your configuration appears to be after the transition to short action and either immediately before or during the era of model numbers rather than names.
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  #33  
Old 07-21-2021, 10:54 PM
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Summersteel Summersteel is offline
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.38/44 Heavy Duty, Post World War II Transition Variation .38/44 Heavy Duty, Post World War II Transition Variation .38/44 Heavy Duty, Post World War II Transition Variation .38/44 Heavy Duty, Post World War II Transition Variation .38/44 Heavy Duty, Post World War II Transition Variation  
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Originally Posted by .357magger View Post
First tip off is the hammer. Note the difference in shape between your later variation (Model 20 or pre 20 depending on year made and markings inside the frame/crane) and those pictured as Transitional. Totally different actions between the two.

The Transitional guns are those with pre war action/features but shipping post war.

Your configuration appears to be after the transition to short action and either immediately before or during the era of model numbers rather than names.

Thank you!
No model number on mine. I believe, based on the serial number, it is a 1952-53 gun.
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Last edited by Summersteel; 07-22-2021 at 09:03 PM.
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