|
|
07-12-2017, 08:47 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
Liked 16 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
S&W Heavy Duty
Hello! I just got this gun in a trade and was wanting to know more about it. The Serial is S 731## and has a star between the letter and numbers. It is in pretty good shape but has holster wear and Franzite stag grips. What year was it made and an estimated value would hopefully make me happy.
Thank you!!!
|
The Following 8 Users Like Post:
|
|
07-12-2017, 09:06 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Peoples Republic of Calif
Posts: 4,678
Likes: 1,236
Liked 6,048 Times in 2,155 Posts
|
|
Looks like 1949 or 1950 far as I can tell WAG on value is roughly $900 plus but that is VERY rough indeed. I am sure somebody with more knowledge than I will jump in with a better number.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
07-12-2017, 11:01 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Mexico
Posts: 379
Likes: 4,080
Liked 509 Times in 197 Posts
|
|
The front sight looks modified
__________________
"lets be careful out there"
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
07-12-2017, 11:04 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
Liked 16 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
More pics
Here are a couple more pics.
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
07-12-2017, 11:08 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 447
Likes: 15
Liked 660 Times in 188 Posts
|
|
Definitely modified. I think $900 is optimistic. I would think $6-700. I'm far from an expert tho.
|
07-12-2017, 11:15 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Cottage Grove,WI
Posts: 4,124
Likes: 1,540
Liked 5,518 Times in 1,650 Posts
|
|
Front sight has been swapped to a rifle type ramp sight,This was a common mod back in the Day.The Star* means it's been back to the Factory for Work.Remove the Stocks and look on the Left Grip frame for any refinish marks R-B or 3 digit date codes 3.68 for March(3) of 1968(68) for example.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
07-13-2017, 08:15 AM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Home of the Alamo
Posts: 5,843
Likes: 16,555
Liked 15,587 Times in 3,105 Posts
|
|
Did anyone else notice that it is missing "Made in USA" or a 4 line address on the right side of the frame? I would say it 'should' have a 4 line address by that serial number, but it still has the pre-war long action, so maybe a one liner?
__________________
On the Oak Savannah
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
07-13-2017, 09:02 AM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: R.T. P, area NC
Posts: 9,725
Likes: 29,648
Liked 23,041 Times in 5,797 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by SAFireman
Did anyone else notice that it is missing "Made in USA" or a 4 line address on the right side of the frame? I would say it 'should' have a 4 line address by that serial number, but it still has the pre-war long action, so maybe a one liner?
|
Is anyone else not seeing the screw that should be located at the front of the trigger guard?
I also have some concerns with the location of the "star," if it is really between the S prefix and any numbers, that does not sound like something the factory would do. This leads me to believe the serial number has been modified.
__________________
Always Stay Strong!
|
07-13-2017, 09:33 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,695
Likes: 244
Liked 29,213 Times in 14,132 Posts
|
|
The SN suggests a mid-1949 shipment. It is odd that the 4-line stamping is missing and appears to have never been there. The front sight is not original. As a shooter, virtually any HD will be worth at least $500. I'd think this one might go for $600-$700. You might check to see if the chambers have been lengthened to accept .357 cartridges.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
07-13-2017, 05:16 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
Liked 16 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
When I get home i will look at frame and take pictures of it and the serial number. It does have a screw on front of trigger guard.
|
07-13-2017, 07:28 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
Liked 16 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
More pics
More pics of the Heavy Duty.
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
07-13-2017, 07:56 PM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: The SW Va Blue Ridge
Posts: 17,561
Likes: 90,033
Liked 24,977 Times in 8,553 Posts
|
|
Welcome to the Forum.
There may not been room on the butt to place the star after the SN.
__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!
|
07-13-2017, 07:59 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,695
Likes: 244
Liked 29,213 Times in 14,132 Posts
|
|
Definitely returned to the factory once. No indication whatsoever that the 4-line address was ever stamped. We know that S&W once had a policy of applying 4-line stamps to guns returned for service that did not have them. Apparently not this one. I'd still like to know the full story behind S&W's stamping practice for serviced guns.
|
07-13-2017, 08:05 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: R.T. P, area NC
Posts: 9,725
Likes: 29,648
Liked 23,041 Times in 5,797 Posts
|
|
Looking a photo #2, it appears as if a lanyard ring attachment point had been filled in. I had a 38/44 that also had the lanyard ring attachment point filled in, but the serial number was re stamped on the grip frame. From the markings it appears as if yours had a trip back to the factory in November 1951.
__________________
Always Stay Strong!
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
07-13-2017, 11:40 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mesa, Arizona
Posts: 2,556
Likes: 882
Liked 1,719 Times in 549 Posts
|
|
I be curious to hear what the barrel actually measures, from the front of the cylinder to the muzzle? I wonder if it might have been cut down, hence the rifle ramp front sight.
Dave
__________________
RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)
|
07-13-2017, 11:42 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
Liked 16 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave T
I be curious to hear what the barrel actually measures, from the front of the cylinder to the muzzle? I wonder if it might have been cut down, hence the rifle ramp front sight.
Dave
|
I will measure it in the morning but looking online I saw a few that have the same sight.
|
07-14-2017, 06:51 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,371
Likes: 4,050
Liked 2,550 Times in 739 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by HueyBryan
I will measure it in the morning but looking online I saw a few that have the same sight.
|
I have seen that modification a few times too, but it's not original.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
07-14-2017, 07:30 AM
|
|
Moderator
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 26,939
Likes: 1,016
Liked 19,098 Times in 9,336 Posts
|
|
Cool gun, and a relatively late one to have the rework star stamped on it.
Given the lack of the right forward frame stamping, the work in 11/51 may have been a refinish. No explanation for why the address wasn't redone if so, however.
__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220
|
07-14-2017, 10:15 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Mexico
Posts: 379
Likes: 4,080
Liked 509 Times in 197 Posts
|
|
I think it should have the one line stamp. Mine is of the same period. The craftsmanship of the lockwork in this revolvers is amazing. Enjoy your "new" revolver it is special in every way you look at it.
__________________
"lets be careful out there"
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
07-15-2017, 05:51 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
Liked 16 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
Measurement
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave T
I be curious to hear what the barrel actually measures, from the front of the cylinder to the muzzle? I wonder if it might have been cut down, hence the rifle ramp front sight.
Dave
|
Here is the measurement.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
07-15-2017, 07:25 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: West Central IL
Posts: 22,819
Likes: 18,608
Liked 22,450 Times in 8,288 Posts
|
|
I'm wondering if the return to the factory might not have been for cutting a 6" barrel down to 4", and sight relocated? The missing "Made in U.S.A." stamp mystifies me.
__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244
|
07-15-2017, 07:31 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mesa, Arizona
Posts: 2,556
Likes: 882
Liked 1,719 Times in 549 Posts
|
|
Probably the camera angle but it doesn't look like the tape is completely up against the cylinder, like the actual measurement might be a bit over 4". Which, given the none S&W front sight would be another indication it was cut down.
H Richard, do you think the factory would have put a rifle ramp on the barrel after cutting it from 6" to ~4"? Doesn't seem likely. More likely is that a gunsmith some where cut the barrel and put that sight on at the then owners request. In other words, he had it done locally.
All speculation on my part of course. It's still a neat ol' Heavy Duty.
Dave
__________________
RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)
Last edited by Dave T; 07-15-2017 at 07:33 PM.
|
07-15-2017, 08:19 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Tincup, CO
Posts: 3,699
Likes: 6,295
Liked 7,484 Times in 2,292 Posts
|
|
Could it have been refinished/reworked more than once? The address line may have been polished off outside the factory.
__________________
Some collect art; I shoot it!
|
07-15-2017, 08:22 PM
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Battery Oaks Range, S.C.
Posts: 1,847
Likes: 5,663
Liked 3,574 Times in 1,163 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by old bear
Looking a photo #2, it appears as if a lanyard ring attachment point had been filled in. I had a 38/44 that also had the lanyard ring attachment point filled in, but the serial number was re stamped on the grip frame. From the markings it appears as if yours had a trip back to the factory in November 1951.
|
Looks kinda familiar don't it ole Pard? I liked your barrel length better, but this is another nice old gun. I don't know what you paid but I'd be in for $600.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|