What Model did I just buy

[v84x4]

Please help
I just bought an old gun
(.38 SPL Stamped on one side of the barrel)

I am looking in my S&W 3rd edition book and can't figure it out
Near I can tell is it was produced in 1953 but what model ???

What model is this .38 spl

Is it a Pre Model 20?
I was told it's a pre-model 10

please help

Regards Rick

 

[SVT28]

A good one!

I kid I kid, what you have is a 4" 38/44 Heavy Duty or pre model 20. That trigger shoe is aftermarket, and I'd remove it if I owned this fine pistol. Those stocks also fit well, I bet if you removed them you'd find the serial stamped on the inside of them.

I have a lot of Heavy Duties but none in the 4" configuration. Thanks for sharing!

SVT28


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JP@AK]

Yes, a .38/44 Heavy Duty, and a pretty nice one.

You may know this, but for clarity's sake, the so-called "pre-Model 10" (.38 M&P) would not have the shrouded extractor rod. That was an N frame only item until the Combat Magnum came out in the 1956 catalog.

 

[Baxter6551]

Nice score !! Get rid of that trigger shoe! And as noted above check for serial number under the grip.
After a second look I would get rid of that grip adapter also and swap it out for a Tyler. Even though vintage it doesn't look like it fits right.

 

[Model19man]

Very nice. I would get rid of the trigger shoe and the ugly thing forward of the grips - which are just plain lovely. Sell those items to someone who appreciates them.

 

[jimmyj]

Nice Revolver. Has the tip of the hammer spur been removed ?

 

[Krogen]

People have suggested "loosing" the trigger shoe and grip adapter. I'm of a different mind. They say to me that the previous owner was a shooter. The gun has been used, but taken care of it appears. I'd keep the additions on the gun, think of the previous owner(s) and the gun's history.

I'm feeling particularly sentimental tonight. Must be the Bulleit Rye.

 

[CH4]

Very nice. I would get rid of the trigger shoe and the ugly thing forward of the grips - which are just plain lovely. Sell those items to someone who appreciates them.

Perhaps he appreciates them

 

[Buick]

Thats a bad *** rig; I wouldnt change a thing. Id search hi and lô for a vintage shoulder holster and shoot the heck out of it in the mean time.

 

[murphydog]

Both a .38 M & P and .38/44 Heavy Duty were six round .38 Specials that were made with 4" barrels. The latter had the shrouded ("half-lug") ejector rod barrel.

At one time post-WW II both were made with S prefix serial numbers, but the M & P numbers were in the 800000 range or higher with the HDs starting in the 60000s. And if you have them side by side the K is much smaller and lighter than the N frame.

Cool gun, enjoy!

 

[Muley Gil]

Depending on your hand size, that grip adapter may help or hinder your shooting. I'm not crazy about trigger shoes either. They can loosen, slide down and keep your trigger from going all the way back.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Nice score !! Get rid of that trigger shoe! And as noted above check for serial number under the grip.
After a second look I would get rid of that grip adapter also and swap it out for a Tyler. Even though vintage it doesn't look like it fits right.

I recently gave my shootin' buddy a Pach grip adapter for the Colt New Service I previously sold him. It fit good but was much thicker than one I already had. I think they must have made fatter ones (in profile) for an option and maybe that's what these are but for a S&W. I'd dump the trigger shoe and just go barefoot since I hate those things.

 

[rincar]

That Heavy Duty shouts Cops gun from back in the day. You might want to see if 357 Magnum rounds will chamber. The old timers sometimes had the chamber lengthened. To take the 357 Cartriges

 

[Truckman]

I left both the trigger shoe and the Pachmayr grip adapter on my latest .38/44 HD just for nostalgic purposes...I added some nice pearls I got from a member here......Ben

 

[rincar]

I would like to see the holster it rode in and duty belt

 

[v84x4]

I would like to see the holster it rode in and duty belt

This is the holster it came with
a Handcrafted Old Vintage 3100 Hunter Co. Floral Tooled #12 Leather Holster

best regards, rick

 

[Muley Gil]

That would make a nice .44 Special or .45 Colt.

 

[v84x4]

That would make a nice .44 Special or .45 Colt.

how do you do that?

regards, Rick

 

[Muley Gil]

how do you do that?

regards, Rick

Replace or re-chamber the cylinder and either replace or rebore the barrel. I realize there are lots of folks on this forum that love the N frame .38s, but when I carry an N frame, I want it to be in a more powerful caliber. The minimum would be .357, but .44 Special or .45 Colt would be better.

 

[rincar]

Don't mess with it if you want a 44 0r 45 buy a new one. take good care of your Heavy Duty. Because they don't make them like that anymore. I am very envious of that Heavy Duty you own.