Help With Dating a 38/44 H-D Pre-War

TomJohn · #1 01-19-2021, 12:00 PM

I have a 38/40 Heavy Duty with a 5"barrel. The right Magna grip is also stamped with the serial number. The serial # is 480XX (x's mine). Thanks for any help!

I would also appreciate your thoughts on the bluing. The bluing is a deep, heavy blue that is very well done. It shows little sign of wear. It is, however, inconsistent with the age and wear that show on the grips. I'm assuming it has been reblued, but, if so, it was done more than 50 years ago, as that is how long the previous owner had it. I guess I'm wondering how common it was for these guns to be sent back to the factory for a reblue back then, and if S&W records would show if this has been done.

delcrossv · #2 01-19-2021, 12:04 PM

Is there a rework star mark by the S/N?

If you look under the grips, they should be a date stamp and maybe a box with R-B in it if it was a factory reblue.

robertrwalsh · #3 01-19-2021, 12:06 PM

Looks like 1936 probably.

JP@AK · #4 01-19-2021, 12:08 PM

As a reference point, my .38/44 HD with serial number 43757 shipped in July, 1934.

Quote:

I'm wondering how common it was for these guns to be sent back to the factory for a reblue back then, and if S&W records would show if this has been done.

Look on the left side of the grip frame under the stocks. There might be a date code (3 or 4 digits) stamped there by the Service Department. A refinish stamp might also be present nearby. If neither of those appear, there's a good chance the refinish was not done by the factory. None of that is definitive, but it is the first thing to check.

Note: others posted while I was typing.

TomJohn · #5 01-19-2021, 12:34 PM

Thanks for the replies! There is, indeed, a star stamped after the serial # on the butt. Under the left grip there is a B in a small square (oriented like a diamond). There is also the numbers 646 with a small round stamping slightly below the 6 and 4 - kinda like 6.46. This numerical stamping is the only area that showed any rust, so it's a little hard to read. At the top of the left grip frame under the grip are two small stampings that look like 1s (1 1). At the bottom of the right grip frame is a capital B standing alone.

delcrossv · #6 01-19-2021, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomJohn

Thanks for the replies! There is, indeed, a star stamped after the serial # on the butt. Under the left grip there is a B in a small square (oriented like a diamond). There is also the numbers 646 with a small round stamping slightly below the 6 and 4 - kinda like 6.46. This numerical stamping is the only area that showed any rust, so it's a little hard to read. At the top of the left grip frame under the grip are two small stampings that look like 1s (1 1). At the bottom of the right grip frame is a capital B standing alone.

You gun went back to S&W in June 1946. The <B> denotes a factory reblue.

TomJohn · #7 01-19-2021, 01:33 PM

Thanks! One last question: The only anomaly (I think) on the gun is the yoke screw. There is no spring and plunger under the screw. The screw is too long for one, and the end of the screw (unthreaded on the end) goes in far enough to hold the yoke. From reading, I expected there to be a spring and plunger. Is this assumption incorrect, or might the factory rebuild have made this change?

Edit: The sideplate screwhole for the yoke screw is not threaded, so it either never had a spring/plunger, or it was changed to a single screw during the factory rebuild. Any info or opinions?

.357magger · #8 01-19-2021, 02:47 PM

Pics always helpful ( and appreciated)

Wiregrassguy · #9 01-19-2021, 02:49 PM

Quote:

From reading, I expected there to be a spring and plunger. Is this assumption incorrect, or might the factory rebuild have made this change?

There has never been a spring and plunger associated with the yoke screw. You might be thinking of the cylinder stop plunger and spring that is in front of the trigger guard. The yoke screw has always been specially sized in length to secure the yoke without binding.

TomJohn · #10 01-19-2021, 03:21 PM

Thanks for the clarification. I guess someone had misnamed the cylinder stop screw as the yoke screw. I do have a recollection of working on a revolver having a spring loaded yoke retention plunger. Perhaps an early Colt?

Thanks to all who have responded! I have parts soaking in oil, but I'll post a pic when I get it back together.

StrawHat · #11 01-19-2021, 04:18 PM

TomJohn,

Since your HD is soaking in a tub of oil (Spa time for the HD?), I will happily post a photo of my 5” HD in it’s place.

Kevin

TomJohn · #12 01-19-2021, 05:15 PM

Nice! They look like brothers.

StrawHat · #13 01-19-2021, 05:40 PM

Close, there is a family resemblance.

By the time yours was at S&W for it’s initial spa date, mine had not even been thought of. Mine came along in 1950 and is subtly different due to it incorporating the new and improved short action.

Kevin

TomJohn · #14 01-20-2021, 06:18 PM

As promised, here are a couple of pics:

1Aspenhill · #15 01-20-2021, 07:51 PM

I have 21 480xx in my database. PM me the whole serial number and I will see if I had it in my database. I'd say 1936 also but you never know where the gun was in the pile in the S&W vault.
Bill