Smith & Wesson 38/44 Heavy Duty

coltgrabber · #1 07-24-2014, 06:04 PM

I have an S&W 38/44 Heavy Duty, #58XXX. The serial number puts the manufacturing date at 1939. The barrel measures 3 6/8" from the cylinder to end of barrel. The left side of the barrel has a one line address of Smith & Wesson. The right side of the barrel has a one line address of .38 S&W Special CTG. the rear sights are fixed. The butt appears to have been configured for a lanyard ring, but never installed as it is plugged where the middle number would have been and appears to have never been unplugged. The finish appears to have been a matte blue rather than standard blue. I can find no reference for this pistol with this length barrel & matte finish. Does it appear original as to barrel length and finish?

beagleye · #2 07-24-2014, 06:15 PM

Finish looks original, never heard of matt bue pre war HD, but it could be just a weathered smooth oxidized surface. It appears the barrel may have been shortened and the lanyard loop is not factory- so, not counting the grips the gun would be a neat old modified shooter grade, not too valuable or collectable but cool anyway. However the grips are worth close to the value of the gun.

Dave T · #3 07-24-2014, 06:16 PM

My opinion is that barrel has been cut down. It didn't look right (in the pictures) even before I read in your post that it is 3-3/4". I'd be willing to bet it was a 5" that some one didn't like and having someone (gun smith no doubt) cut it back and reposition the front sight was cheeper than buying another gun.

Also, your description of a "matt" finish leads me to think it was rebelled after the barrel modification was done.

You might also be a little concerned about the altered serial number. It appears one number is missing because of the plug. An aggressive ATF agent could give you a bad time over that as the number of the butt is the "official" serial number.

YMMV,
Dave

05CarbonDRZ · #4 07-24-2014, 06:50 PM

The barrel has been cut and the Gun has been reblued.Those pre war Magna Stocks are pretty sweet though

coltgrabber · #5 07-24-2014, 06:51 PM

The complete serial number is on the cylinder face and under the barrel, so don't think I'll have a problem there. Thanks for the reply.

coltgrabber · #6 07-24-2014, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beagleye

Finish looks original, never heard of matt bue pre war HD, but it could be just a weathered smooth oxidized surface. It appears the barrel may have been shortened and the lanyard loop is not factory- so, not counting the grips the gun would be a neat old modified shooter grade, not too valuable or collectable but cool anyway. However the grips are worth close to the value of the gun.

How much should I expect to get for this piece? Selling it for an acquaintance.

DCWilson · #7 07-24-2014, 07:23 PM

Ignoring for the moment the serial number issue...

The barrel may have been cut, but it was cut to a length that a lot of people like. Ask $500, take $400. Unmodified prewar HDs bring around $600 at the low end. Those stocks are killer prewar magnas. If anybody grouses about the price you ask, tell them to buy a rubber grip for $20 and sell the original wood for $200 or more on Ebay.

Pull the stocks to see if the full serial number was transferred to the frame. That's an approved way of restoring a damaged serial number. ATF, if they play by their own rules, would insist on a complete and accurate serial number on the frame, which is considered the essential part of the gun. Barrels and cylinders can be swapped in from some other firearm.

Others may give you different notions of value. Add up all the answers you get and average them.

coltgrabber · #8 07-25-2014, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCWilson

Ignoring for the moment the serial number issue...

The barrel may have been cut, but it was cut to a length that a lot of people like. Ask $500, take $400. Unmodified prewar HDs bring around $600 at the low end. Those stocks are killer prewar magnas. If anybody grouses about the price you ask, tell them to buy a rubber grip for $20 and sell the original wood for $200 or more on Ebay.

Pull the stocks to see if the full serial number was transferred to the frame. That's an approved way of restoring a damaged serial number. ATF, if they play by their own rules, would insist on a complete and accurate serial number on the frame, which is considered the essential part of the gun. Barrels and cylinders can be swapped in from some other firearm.

Others may give you different notions of value. Add up all the answers you get and average them.

I'm set up at a show this week end, and whether I sell or not I'll post the results Monday. Thanks for the feedback guys.

JSW · #9 07-25-2014, 08:52 AM

It has definitely been cut down. But that’s a cool old HD!

1Aspenhill · #10 07-25-2014, 09:41 AM

If the grips do not number to the gun, they would bring $300+ by themselves. If they number to the gun, they should stay with the gun. The lettering on the barrel and we did not ask if it has any lettering on the top of the barrel, indicates that because it is not centered that the barrel has been cut.
I hope this helps,
Bill

chasr · #11 07-27-2014, 12:06 AM

If it doesn't sell this weekend,PM me. I might be interested.

coltgrabber · #12 07-27-2014, 11:06 PM

Hey guys, just got back from being gone over the weekend. I have responded to those who PM'd me.

coltgrabber · #13 07-28-2014, 10:54 AM

To all, looked at this piece again comparing it to another's excellent photos on this forum. As someone else said, the barrel has definitely been cut down, but expertly so and the stocks ARE numbered to the gun, if this makes any difference to those who are offering to buy either the pistol or just the stocks.

Dave T · #14 07-28-2014, 10:57 AM

Stocks should definitely stay with the gun and that ups the value a bit, but not astronomically. It's still a cut down, re-blued shooter but with matching, numbered stocks. (smiley face goes here)

Dave

coltgrabber · #15 07-28-2014, 10:30 PM

There is a pending sale on this gun. Thanks for everyone's input!