Dream Gun Arrives

j38 · #1 03-21-2009, 07:30 PM

I've been looking for a 4" HD for several years now - and finally found one. This was also my first auction experience - and was, obviously, successful.

I was surprised that gun was high gloss, and in as good a condition as it is. The auction photos didn't do it justice - and made it appear to be more of a satin finish. The mechanics seem to be in good order. I'll take it to the range later in the week and confirm this.

I've always been partial to the 4" fixed sight N frames with round front sight. They have kind of an art-deco look about them that really floats my boat.
Regards,

Jerry

j38 · #2 03-21-2009, 07:30 PM

I've been looking for a 4" HD for several years now - and finally found one. This was also my first auction experience - and was, obviously, successful.

I was surprised that gun was high gloss, and in as good a condition as it is. The auction photos didn't do it justice - and made it appear to be more of a satin finish. The mechanics seem to be in good order. I'll take it to the range later in the week and confirm this.

I've always been partial to the 4" fixed sight N frames with round front sight. They have kind of an art-deco look about them that really floats my boat.
Regards,

Jerry

Rugskipper · #3 03-21-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by j38:
I've always been partial to the 4" fixed sight N frames with round front sight. They have kind of an art-deco look about them that really floats my boat.
Regards,

Jerry

Me too!
Congratulations on a very nice find.

1Aspenhill · #4 03-21-2009, 08:16 PM

Jerry,
Congrats! I'm glad you finally got one! They are contagious though as you will want more!

I sure hope it shoots well!
Thanks for posting it!
Bill

S&W-Keeper · #5 03-21-2009, 08:34 PM

Great! nice find.

lebomm · #6 03-21-2009, 08:52 PM

Without wishing to steal any of Jerry's thunder, I just bought my first HD today, a 5-incher in perhaps a trifle less fine condition than his, for $500. Original finish, grips number up, bore, chambers, & lockup flawless. Did I do well, or somewhere in the middle of the range for this model?

Larry

JayCeeNC · #7 03-21-2009, 09:00 PM

I've got a yearning for a NIB 4" post-war HD myself. The simple ruggedness of it is appealing to me.
Good catch, congrats.

1Aspenhill · #8 03-21-2009, 09:07 PM

Larry,
You did quite well! I assume it is a post war HD? If you send me the serial number I can give you an idea when it was shipped. Something I always do with HDs is see if a .357 will chamber as these guns are strong and have been known to be bored out to .357.
I hope this helps,
Bill

lebomm · #9 03-21-2009, 11:34 PM

Bill;
Neglected to mention in my email: No, none of the chambers have been messed with. It's still a .38 Spl.

DCWilson · #10 03-22-2009, 12:09 AM

Jerry and Larry,

Congratulations to you both. And Larry, if you got a five-inch HD in good shape for $500, I think you did very well.

I have a transitional HD from 1946 that is one of my favorite guns. It's a beauty -- not NIB, but it has the original box and has been shot very little. Any HD is a delight to behold, but I have a special fondness for the older style hammer and long throw action on this one.

David Wilson

fyimo · #11 03-22-2009, 12:29 AM

Great looking HD's and yea they do look rugged and art deco at the same time.

Jack Flash · #12 03-22-2009, 04:10 AM

Beautiful gun, Jerry! (and others too).

For appearance, you can't do better than fixed sights on a blued four inch N-Frame.

pace40 · #13 03-22-2009, 05:40 AM

Hi Jerry

Great gun, congratulations.

1Aspenhill · #14 03-22-2009, 11:23 AM

Jerry,
I do like the 4 inch HDs, so here is some eye candy for you. Enjoy!
Bill
Pre war with service grips-

Pre war with Magnas-

Transition-

Model of 1950-

Model 20-

Model 20-2-

j38 · #15 03-22-2009, 12:20 PM

Eye candy? Bill, That's the whole sweet shop!

I've always admired your collection - and your website is partly to blame for my own fascination with these guns.

I guess my newest addition is, correctly, a Model of 1950. Right?

Thanks Much,

Jerry

ladder13 · #16 03-22-2009, 12:45 PM

Jerry, congrats on your 4", it's very nice. I too, have a 4 inch with high gloss, and thought it was refinished. Here's a pic:

DCWilson · #17 03-22-2009, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by j38:

I guess my newest addition is, correctly, a Model of 1950. Right?

Yes, that's how I see it.

Would you be willing to share the serial number, or at least most of it? Your revolver will date between 1950 and 1957, and it would be nice to pick a particular year if we can.

I said it before and I'll say it again. That's a nice specimen you got.

j38 · #18 03-22-2009, 02:25 PM

Mike & David,

Thanks for the pictures of your own 4-inchers! Great balance at that length, isn't there.

David, the Serial number on mine is #155846. It should date from late in 1956. I have a 6.5" HD that numbers a couple hundred lower - and it was shipped in August of '56. I should know more tomorrow when Roy return to his computer. Heck, Bill could probably get within a week just using his own database.

Regards,

Jerry

1Aspenhill · #19 03-22-2009, 03:32 PM

Jerry,
Yes, it is a Model of 1950 and picking a year it was shipped is, as always, when it was picked off the pile! I'd say it was a 1957 or 58 gun. Only Roy can tell you. It probably shipped after your 6.5 incher! Thanks for the comments, I didn't add in the 4" Nickel guns-do you want to see those too?

Lot's of good looking guns there though!
Bill

ladder13 · #20 03-22-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 1Aspenhill:
I didn't add in the 4" Nickel guns-do you want to see those too?

Bill

Sure.

1Aspenhill · #21 03-22-2009, 04:41 PM

Ok Mike, by your request, here they are:
Transition-

Model of 1950-

The Model 20-2 was posted earlier.
Hope you enjoy1
Bill

OIF2 · #22 03-22-2009, 05:07 PM

Oh no! I think I'm going to need one of those, too (blue, 5", if anyone is listening). Nice gun, Jerry!
Bob

lebomm · #23 03-22-2009, 05:14 PM

Holy Smokes ! I've done it again ! That's twice in one show! After drooliong all over the HD i bought yesterday, I thought my good luck bank had pretty well been drained, but today I traded a Colt (you should excuse the expression) OMT .22 that I'd had about 10 yrs for a transitional HD in about 80-85% shape AND $200 ! ! Again, orig finish, grips number to gun, all matching, and still .38 Spl.
Bill, I'll send you the SN via email, if you like. Think I'll buy a Lotto ticket tonite.

Larry

1Aspenhill · #24 03-22-2009, 05:18 PM

Larry,
I think you should get those tickets quick!

Can't wait to hear more on the latest find. Congrats!
Bill

lebomm · #25 03-22-2009, 05:22 PM

Well, I got so durn giddy, I failed to proofread the last for that string of typos, AND to mention that this new gun is also a blue 5-incher. I'll try to calm down...........

Larry

ladder13 · #26 03-22-2009, 06:44 PM

A transition is gonna be my next HD if I can find one in 4 inch.

1Aspenhill · #27 03-22-2009, 07:06 PM

Mike,
I'd say you have a good chance of finding one as it seems as they were the most popular barrel length during that period!

Bill

j38 · #28 03-22-2009, 08:25 PM

Larry,

We're seriously into pictures here ... so, we're waiting.... Nice finds, and I hope your streak continues!

Jerry

Tom K · #29 03-22-2009, 09:40 PM

You guys are probably tired of seeing these old overweight, oversized .38s.... No? Alright, here's one I picked up at a gun show in Tulsa last August. Upon closer examination it's not quite as unblemished as I had first thought, but still a good deal at $400. And better for me, as I won't feel guilty about shooting it (if I can ever find range time!)

The number on the inside of the grips don't match the frame. The serial number on the butt, cylinder, barrel and ejector all match S74297. I tried a .357 per previous post's suggestion, but it would not chamber. This will probably be one of the few guns that I leave the factory stocks on, just for looks.

1Aspenhill · #30 03-23-2009, 05:35 AM

Tom,
Thanks for posting your great looking gun. I don't ever tire of seeing HDs!

Bill

DCWilson · #31 03-23-2009, 06:30 AM

Tom,

A beauty. $400? In California, only a scant few of us will ever find a gun that good at a price that low.

David W.

Tom K · #32 03-23-2009, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DCWilson:
Tom,

A beauty. $400? In California, only a scant few of us will ever find a gun that good at a price that low.

David W.

Thanks David. I didn't know much about Heavy Dutys at the time (not that I do now!), but even so I was pretty sure I was getting a bargain. And when I brought it home my wife thought it was beautiful, so it's got that goin' for it.

After looking at Supica's book it appears to me that this is a late Transitional model, and so a pre-20.

tinbender · #33 03-23-2009, 07:17 PM

Wow! A stunning assortment of HD's. Thanks for sharing.

1Aspenhill · #34 03-23-2009, 07:51 PM

Tom K,
It is a transition HD and probably shipped in 1949. You did get a good deal on it. I hope this helps.
Bill

j38 · #35 03-23-2009, 09:03 PM

Roy says Sept. 1955 for #155846. Interesting...

By the way, I took it to the range tonight - and it works!

Jerry

lebomm · #36 03-26-2009, 08:43 PM

As y'all remember, I have to depend on the good graces of a teenager to get these pix posted(I'm a slow learner). So with the help of the lovely Irene, here are the guns I added last week.

Saturday's purchase - the Pre-20:

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Sunday's trade, the Transitional:

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And as pairs:

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Thanks again, Irene.

Larry

1Aspenhill · #37 03-27-2009, 04:11 AM

Larry,
Great looing guns! You had a great weekend! Thanks for sharing.
Bill

DCWilson · #38 03-27-2009, 07:28 AM

Larry, those are great revolvers. Let me know if you ever decide to let the Transitional HD move on to a new home. Mine needs a brother to keep him company!

David W.

j38 · #39 03-27-2009, 12:08 PM

Excellent, Larry! Now that's what I call a good weekend! Let us know how they shoot.

Jerry

lebomm · #40 03-27-2009, 05:13 PM

A couple of "experienced" irons, to be sure, but both in 90%+ mechanical condition. I expect both to perform in the traditional S&W manner, and I promise a full report.
Who knows, maybe I'll buy another between now & then if this "streak" continues?

Thanx fellas,
Larry