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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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  #1  
Old 11-08-2009, 07:52 PM
230grfmj 230grfmj is offline
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38/44 Heavy Duty - Shipped First Month of First Year of Production 38/44 Heavy Duty - Shipped First Month of First Year of Production 38/44 Heavy Duty - Shipped First Month of First Year of Production 38/44 Heavy Duty - Shipped First Month of First Year of Production 38/44 Heavy Duty - Shipped First Month of First Year of Production  
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Default 38/44 Heavy Duty - Shipped First Month of First Year of Production
Here is a 38-44 Heavy Duty with a 5” barrel. It was shipped from the factory on April 22, 1930 to W.S. Brown Co. in Pittsburgh, PA.

The letter from Roy Jinks indicates the 38-44 Heavy Duty model was introduced on April 1, 1930 at serial number 35037. This gun was shipped 22 days later, and 190 numbers after its introduction, well over 75 years ago. This model used the .44 HE series frame, so some of the numbers between the introduction of this model, and this actual gun (SN 35227) were being shared with the .44’s as well. I have always wondered how many other HD’s were made before this one was.

The bluing is this gun is extremely deep & rich in appearance. Everything, including the grips are numbered to the gun. How it survived all this time is this nearly mint condition is a mystery, and seems to make it even more of a pleasure to own & enjoy.

It used to be part of the collection owned by the very well known and now deceased collector, Gary Garbrecht. I was flattered he offered to sell me this gun, and it is a treasure to own for a variety of reasons.

I certainly suspect this “picture box” may well be from a few years later, as this gun most likely came in a maroon flip open type box when new, but that’s the way it was when I got this gun from Gary.























Last edited by 230grfmj; 11-08-2009 at 08:22 PM.
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Old 11-08-2009, 08:06 PM
Raider Raider is offline
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Its awesome, a dream come true. Congratulations on your very good luck. Hope you bought a lottery ticket.

Charlie
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Old 11-08-2009, 08:08 PM
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38/44 Heavy Duty - Shipped First Month of First Year of Production 38/44 Heavy Duty - Shipped First Month of First Year of Production 38/44 Heavy Duty - Shipped First Month of First Year of Production 38/44 Heavy Duty - Shipped First Month of First Year of Production 38/44 Heavy Duty - Shipped First Month of First Year of Production  
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amazing

rayb
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Old 11-08-2009, 08:15 PM
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tom, WOW. if you've showed that one before, i missed it. thanks. lee
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Old 11-08-2009, 08:19 PM
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I have 35967 and it was shipped on 5/29/1930 to A D Lynde Dagget in Los Angeles.

Yours sure is a sweet gun.
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Old 11-08-2009, 08:23 PM
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...this is the best part of this forum...being able to see a pristine example of an older model Smith. It looks like it could be sitting in the new gun cabinet down at the local sporting goods store. Looking at this one can see why Smith had such a great reputaion for quality handguns...just beautiful!!!
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Old 11-08-2009, 08:27 PM
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So how does she shoot????
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Old 11-08-2009, 08:28 PM
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They sure don't make 'em like they used to - and it's hard to imagine a more pristine example of a 5" HD.

I have one (SN 35428) that shipped to W&K on April 23rd, 1930. It escaped from Bill's(1Aspenhill) collection a couple of years ago.

Thanks,

Jerry
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Old 11-08-2009, 08:34 PM
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Well, I just got another jaw-shaped dent in my desk. That's got to be one of the coolest HDs I have ever seen pictures of. Congratulations on having that one in your collection.
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Old 11-08-2009, 08:48 PM
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Tom, it finally occured to me that I have figured out your specific area of collecting. And that is to find the nearest perfect examples in existance of these beautiful S&W's. And then on top of that you have the ability to take the most excellent pictures. What an awesome gun.
Thanks, Roger
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Old 11-08-2009, 09:24 PM
Dave T Dave T is offline
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Excellent photography and a stunning subject. Thanks for posting those pictures. My 5" is old and tired by comparison (smile).

Dave
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Old 11-09-2009, 06:41 AM
yugolovr yugolovr is offline
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That is a great looking 38-44. You guys are really making me want one.
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Old 11-09-2009, 07:11 AM
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wow thats a nice one
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Old 11-09-2009, 07:16 AM
4inchNFrames 4inchNFrames is offline
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Gorgeous, gorgeous gor je us!
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Old 11-09-2009, 10:42 AM
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I had a 4" pre-war years ago that I picked up for about $200
(Of course it was NOTHING like yours, which is absolutely one of the finest S&W revolvers I've ever seen... PERIOD!)
It was about 90% and 100% original.
A nice gun but I never thought much of it back then. I could never figure out why anyone would want such a heavy gun for such a mild cartridge.
I never shot it and sold it a few years later for about $800.
I was ECSTATIC!!
Right now....I'm kick'n myself
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Old 11-09-2009, 10:51 AM
Dave T Dave T is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tjsguns View Post
I could never figure out why anyone would want such a heavy gun for such a mild cartridge.
For those who have a shootable 38/44s, don't dismiss them until you've tried some good +P 158g rounds through it. Those are a little closer to the performance of the original 38/44 HiVelocity round. These guns weren't just 38 Specials and shouldn't be thought of in that context. They are really short cased, early Magnums.

Dave
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Old 11-09-2009, 10:57 PM
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What an absolute treasure! Thanks for sharing that one.
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Old 11-09-2009, 11:13 PM
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That is a beauty, and certainly early!
I agree about the box. I don't think the picture boxes had yet appeared.
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Old 11-10-2009, 01:34 AM
wraco wraco is offline
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Wow! What a beauty. It appears unfired.

Rod
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Old 11-10-2009, 10:03 AM
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Stunning, Tom, as are all your firearms.
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Old 11-10-2009, 11:12 AM
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Outstanding !

Jerry
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