This is a Heavy Duty Transition shipped July 24, 1946 to Atchison, KS.

The gun came with the gold box pictured and the factory letter.
The stocks are numbered to the gun and unfortunately, both have damage at the tips of the horns.
From my limited knowledge, I do not think the box is original to the gun. However it has the serial number written on the bottom and while I realize anyone could have done that, I am curious if there's any possibility it's original.
I assume the gun would have shipped in a maroon box.

Everything I know about these guns I learned here and 1Aspenhill's website and I thank and blame all of you...

I don't have the free time to post/participate here very often, but try to make time to visit/read when I can.
Heck, I still haven't submitted my SWCA application that Bill was kind enough to send me as a sponsor probably the better part of two years ago now.

I purchased this gun a few years ago, coated it with Corrosion-X, placed it in a ziplock bag and locked it up.

I finally took/made the time to photograph the gun in detail and would be most appreciative of any feedback regarding the box and what appears to be forging (?) flaws in the back-strap.

There's 547 photos of the gun here:
1946 SW 38-44 HD Transitional Photos by tango-papa5 | Photobucket

And here's a few from the album above:





















Regards,
tp

Very nice! I have one numbered S63601 that that Roy says also shipped in July 1946. It is interesting that numbers so far apart shipped in the same month.

The 5" heavy duty is balanced in so many ways.

Very nice gun.
I'm more impressed that you took 547 pictures of this gun!!

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John

Ok I know it's an early N frame and I like n frames.

Not sure the box is matching to the Gun,I have never seen the number at an angle like that.

Hi
Nice HD. The company that your gun was shipped to is the one the KHP used to
order there guns from. The original owner could have been a officer.
They Ordered 75 Transition models of the 357 with 5 inch barrels in 1948.
Jim

Often left over boxes got used up with later guns. I think it's entirely possible your gun shipped in that box.

__________________
No life story has happy end.

I have never seen metal flaws like that in a Smith before. The fact that it was not rejected and it was shipped is indicative of just how scarce and in demand any handgun was immediately following the War. The frame was probably pulled from the reject bin and completed to fulfill the order for the KHP.

Bob

Yeah... pretty ridiculous, huh?

tp

I agree...that metal flaw is the first I've ever seen. Hellstrom would have had a fit if he saw that!

Since the box is numbered to the gun in pencil rather than grease pencil, it may not be original to the gun. But heck, it'll fly for most of us.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

TP, nice one. Special.

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Halfway and one more step

Drooooool! Nice catch TP!
Dave

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mr mom
Fire Chief, Retired

Nope...just impressed with your thoroughness!

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John

TP,
Thanks for posting the pics and history of your HD! It sure is a nice one and finding any transition HD with it's original grips is like hitting the lottery! I have to agree with everyone else in that I've never seen the defects in the back strap metal. I think most people don't realize that the 38/44 Heavy Duties were the most N frame gun going out the door after the war! The Heavy Duty, as we have seen, basically carried the N frame guns until 1950. In my opinion, and we all know about opinions, is that all transition HDs were shipped in maroon boxes. S74799 is mint in it's original numbered box, so I truly feel that the 1950 Model went out in gold boxes. Anyway, if you are happy with it in a gold box, then that is all that counts.
Thanks again,
Bill

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38-44heavyduty.com

I appreciate all the feedback / comments.

The reason for so many photos is that I was considering selling the gun and wanted to make sure any and all flaws were available for a buyer to review. After digging it out from two years in hibernation, I remembered/realized how much I really like the post-war brushed/satin finish. I've decided to keep it for now, along with a late 4" Transition also in blue with the original numbered stocks. A member here has first right of refusal if I ever let it go and it will look good in his collection should that time come.

I was thinking it would be neat to have a 6.5" Transition in blue to make a trio-o-Transitionals. However, due to the rarity of the 6.5" guns, I'm guessing that finding one will be a long shot.


tom32,
Thanks. That is a pretty large spread of numbers.

beagleye,
I concur. The 5" barreled guns are my favorite.

BigBill,
You're in good company...

05CarbonDRZ,
Agreed, I do not think the gun and box were shipped together, but wanted to get an opinion from those in the know.

bmg60,
Thank you for the info about the company where the gun was shipped. Your info has me interested in pursuing further information about who ordered the gun.

SaxonPig,
It would be neat if the gun and box were original to each other, eh?

bettis1,
When I first noticed the flaws, I was very disappointed. But the more I inspected them, the more I had thoughts similar to your comments.

S&WIowegan,
The flaws are the first I've seen as well...
Maybe it's a one-off frame...?
Yep, that's it, it's a one-off... and worth one meeelion dollars!

Old TexMex,
Thanks. Curious what makes you call it "special"?

mr-mom,
Thanks - it's a neat piece of history.

JayCeeNC,
While you're impressed, my wife calls it OCD and rolls her eyes whenever I get the camera out.

1Aspenhill,
Thank you for your comments. And just so you know, I blame you and thank you for my interest in the Heavy Duty. One of these days I'll get the 4" lettered and photographed and post it up. I actually purchased the 4" with feedback/recommendation from you and dacoontz. With regards to the box, did the gold (Heavy Duty) boxes even exist in 1946?

Regards,
tp

TP,
I don't think anyone knows.
Bill

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38-44heavyduty.com

so it appears that I'm not the only one that Bill has indoctrinated into the "HD Cult"

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Rick
SWCA #2727 , SWHF #435

No, indeed...you are not Robinson Crusoe.

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Halfway and one more step

It's true...
I gots the Feevah!

tp

Very nice .38-44, TP!

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Thanks.

Ashford, Alabama, huh?
I went to high school at UCLA...

The Upper Corner of Lower Alabama.

My Dad was career Army and stationed at Rucker for four years during my youth.

tp

yeah you are a Wiregrass redneck. Welcome!

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

t-p,
S66278 is a 4" H-D that has an earlier numbered cylinder and is reblued. Wish I knew if the original cylinder was jugged by an overload or maybe ruined by someone trying to rechamber it to 357, or taken apart and the cylinder got lost. Sure is fun and goes with a prewar 5" and 1950 Outdoorsman that likes about any 38 load from mild to hot. Gary