I enjoyed seeing the post by Peter M. Eick where he is celebrating the 80th birthdays of his first month Heavy Dutys, which got me to make this post before April comes to an end.

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.

I'm quite certain this “picture box” is 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 the collector (Gary Garbrecht, now deceased) I purchased it from.

A true classic!
Thanks for sharing this one, I never get tired of the old HD's and other big frames from that era.

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John

An absolute beauty. There can't be too many of the early ones left in that kind of condition.

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David Wilson

Perfect, beautiful example!

Very nice. But are there more than maybe 2-3 people here with 1st month HDs?

I'm sorry, I hope that didn't sound obnoxious.

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No life story has happy end.

I noticed that the ejector on your revolver is blackened (dully blued?), while most S&W's I see are not. Is this something S&W did in the early days or is it a touchup from a collector? I have a K-22 from 1954 that had the same blacked out ejector, but when I cleaned it with Hoppes after firing most of it wiped off. Made me think the dealer had touched it up...

I didn't know the cylinders weren't recessed on the 38-44s. Personally I find recessed chambers more of a hassle than convenience though I suppose some find it nicer to look at. I also like the visual indicator that is afforded by unrecessed cylinders as to whether it is loaded - obviously following the rules of gun safety one would swing the cylinder open to verify this.

Hi Tom:

I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that you are right, the blue picture box isn't correct for a first year HD. I have a NIB HD, Serial #37099, pictured below, that was shipped in a patent/display box (numbered to the gun) in November of 1930. The box is labeled S. & W. .44 SPECIAL, and is overstamped 38-44 H.E.

The box was a little rough (2nd picture), so I had it restored in 2006 for $348.00 (ouch!) and the package is now complete, like the day it left Springfield nearly 80 years ago.

It was my understanding that the blue picture box was introduced in late 1932 or early 1933. Perhaps a fellow Kansan, 1Aspenhill, Mr. HD, will chime in and shed some light on the box issue. Bill, what say you?

Fantastic HD, Tom. If the box isn't correct, I know you won't want it in your collection, so ship it to Kansas. I'll take it off your hands.

Best regards,

Jim

I had 35078 a few years ago. David Carroll took it off my hands and I have no clue where it went. But it wasn't a beauty like the ones shown above.

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Dick Burg

Jim,

It's always good to hear from you and & I clearly remember when you found that wonderful HD "package". I do know that my box is incorrect, and maybe someday one will turn up somewhere. The money you spent to have that original box restored was easily worth every penny you paid to have it done. That is a wonderful find and a HD package to treasure.

I'm hoping to still see some more first month Heavy Dutys get posted too, so anyone who has them, let's see 'em!!

Tom

The 1st month HD I posted a picture of in Peter's thread wore Serial #35428 and shipped on April 23rd, 1930.

Jerry

Jim,
That is a pretty nice HD, box and accessories. We have asked Roy the question on boxes and he said he didn't know when they were made. I have found that items show up that inch the bar back towards 1930. I first thought that the Blue Picture box for Heavy Duties and Outdoorsman started with the RMs. However, an advanced collector gave me a serial number in the 41000 range of an Outdoorsman with a Blue Picture box numbered to it. This has led me to the Outdoorsman came in the new Blue Picture box in late 1931/early 1932 and the Heavy Duty followed the same time line. I have a couple of boxes like yours with the overstamp on the outside and inside labels. I also feel that the 6.5" pre war Heavy Duties were in maroon boxes with the overstamp as they were never cataloged before the war. I am hoping that the digitzation of the years 1930-34 by the SWHF will answer these questions. Sorry I missed you at Tulsa.
Hope this helps,
Bill

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38-44heavyduty.com

Bill, I have OD 40740 (shipped February 1932) that came to me in a blue picture box. The box is not numbered to the gun, but the recent history of the package (reportedly stored and untouched for the last 40+ years) make me think this box was the gun's original container.

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David Wilson

Dave,
I would agree with you on your conclusion.
Bill

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38-44heavyduty.com

"I'm hoping to still see some more first month Heavy Dutys get posted too..."

Heck, I feel lucky to have one that was made during the first DECADE of production!

Gorgeous guns, gentlemen.

This one is April 24 to George Herold Company, NYC, NY.



The top one is April 25 to R. A. Sawdon, Aurora, Indiana

The bottom one is April 15, to Von Lengerke & Antoin co, Chicago, Ill. Several of us in SWCA have owned it but I doubt it will leave my collection for many years.

I really like the first month guns and have slowly been trying to find them and buy them when I can. It is just something to focus on and search for

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SWCA 1646