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12-23-2020, 09:09 PM
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.38/44 Heavy Duty, Post World War II Transition Variation
I am posting this one again because... I really like it.
And, I thought you might also.
My one and only .38/44 Heavy Duty.
enjoy,
bdGreen
Tap on image to enlarge.
Last edited by bdGreen; 12-23-2020 at 09:10 PM.
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12-23-2020, 10:02 PM
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Absolutely gorgeous! Most of your revolvers are.
I have only one smallbore N frame, a 5” barreled 38/44 Heavy Duty. Bought it with the intention of using it for trading stock. It has the post 1950 short action and shoots well. It left the factory in 1950 I have been told by the previous owner. The Skeeter load with the long seated 358156 is a winner in my revolver!
Kevin
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Last edited by StrawHat; 12-23-2020 at 10:04 PM.
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12-23-2020, 10:24 PM
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Somebody needs to take that beauty out and get it properly broken in
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12-24-2020, 01:19 AM
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When you say that you're posting pics of your "one and only" model, I know I'm about to see a beauty!
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12-24-2020, 05:11 AM
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Very handsome Heavy Duty! And a transitional to boot, what’s not to like. Thanks for sharing that one!
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12-24-2020, 09:56 AM
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US Veteran SWCA Member Absent Comrade
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Bruce,
Here is your twin:
S63604
Shipped July 11, 1946 to Decatur and Hopkins, Boston, MA
Bill
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38-44heavyduty.com
Last edited by 1Aspenhill; 07-19-2021 at 11:52 AM.
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12-24-2020, 12:47 PM
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Dang, Bruce!!! You post my birth year AND birth place gun. Delivered 6 weeks after I was to a store visited by my parents an grandparent a few blocks for where I was delivered. This is a whole new definition for 'birth year gun"! Let me see what I have to trade.....
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Last edited by quinn; 12-24-2020 at 02:19 PM.
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12-24-2020, 01:57 PM
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Beauties, all three!
I'm (a little) green with envy.
I never tire of gazing at these... keep 'em coming!
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12-24-2020, 03:09 PM
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Bruce,
Send it back to where it belongs! I bet that gun has a story beyond the distributor!
Merry Christmas from Texas y'all!
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On the Oak Savannah
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12-24-2020, 03:17 PM
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Not sure you want this one back.
It speaks 'Norski' since it spent time in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Don't know if you will be able to understand the 'accent'.
Being from Minnesota myself, it speaks to me just fine. Ha.
It doesn't have a Texas drawl anymore.
bdGreen
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12-24-2020, 03:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bdGreen
Not sure you want this one back.
It speaks 'Norski' since it spent time in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Don't know if you will be able to understand the 'accent'.
Being from Minnesota myself, it speaks to me just fine. Ha.
It doesn't have a Texas drawl anymore.
bdGreen
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Some tamales and Dos Equis and it'll be good to go, sounds good eh?
I spent some time in Lacrosse and Chippewa Falls (at the Leinenkugel brewery) I almost understand the canuks
Merry Christmas Bruce
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12-24-2020, 08:23 PM
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Beautiful H/D's. Just stunning.
Thanks for sharing them.
While not as "pristine " as the blued examples above, I'm pretty fond of my 1947 model in nickel. It's been refinished, but was done well imo, and is a delightful shooter. One of my favorites.
And...MERRY CHRISTMAS to all !!!
Last edited by .357magger; 12-24-2020 at 08:35 PM.
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12-24-2020, 09:13 PM
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I wish I could buy a new one of that quality today at the inflated price of $422. $32 wasn't that much money in 1946. But then the war had just ended and there probably weren't that many jobs around. Not to mention the abundance of surplus revolvers. I recall buying a surplus Webley for about $16 in 1966, 20 years after the war was over. There was still plenty of surplus even then.
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Last edited by LostintheOzone; 12-24-2020 at 09:25 PM.
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12-25-2020, 02:17 AM
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I only have one Heavy Duty myself. This one sold for $43.09 when delivered in 1954. Shoots wonderfully. A little holster wear adds character.
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Last edited by LPD256; 12-25-2020 at 02:19 AM.
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12-25-2020, 08:21 AM
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Just curious, those of us with Heavy Duties, (or even the OutDoorsman), what loads are you using in them.
I use the 358156, seated long over a heavy dose of Unique or 2400. Either load is great and shoots to the sights on my old 5”.
So, what do you use?
Kevin
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12-25-2020, 11:08 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StrawHat
Just curious, those of us with Heavy Duties, (or even the OutDoorsman), what loads are you using in them.
I use the 358156, seated long over a heavy dose of Unique or 2400. Either load is great and shoots to the sights on my old 5”.
So, what do you use?
Kevin
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Don't reload so I can't help you there but...
Back before "The Great 2020 Drought " I got several boxes of Buffalo Bore 38 Special "Outdoorsman " loads. IIRC, about 1200 fps or thereabouts to duplicate the original Super Police or High Speed loadings of the 1930s.
Dead on with the irons at 25 yards with a 6 o'clock hold.
They were expensive then, now I think they're about $3000 per round, if you can find them.
There have been several threads with sources of reloading data in the last year. A search of the Forum may land you the info you seek.
Last edited by .357magger; 12-25-2020 at 11:11 AM.
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12-25-2020, 11:21 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by .357magger
... Don't reload so I can't help you there but...
Back before "The Great 2020 Drought " I got several boxes of Buffalo Bore 38 Special "Outdoorsman " loads. IIRC, about 1200 fps or thereabouts to duplicate the original Super Police or High Speed loadings of the 1930s.
Dead on with the irons at 25 yards with a 6 o'clock hold.
They were expensive then, now I think they're about $3000 per round, if you can find them...
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Good to know about BB. Bummer about high cost. Maybe an end of the year sale, $2995!
Quote:
Originally Posted by .357magger
... There have been several threads with sources of reloading data in the last year. A search of the Forum may land you the info you seek...
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Sorry, I may have worded it misleadingly. I have my preferred recipes. I was just curious as to what others were using.
Kevin
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Last edited by StrawHat; 12-25-2020 at 11:24 AM.
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12-25-2020, 12:58 PM
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What's not to love about the venerable Heavy Duty? This is my 4" HD transitional, S66431, shipped July 1948. Only 21 numbers apart from the OP's HD, yet it shipped two years later! Photos by Pete "beagleye" from whom I bought this fine example in August 2018.
Right_Profile.jpg Left_Profile.jpg
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Respect the Dingbat
Last edited by The Gila Bender; 12-25-2020 at 12:59 PM.
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12-25-2020, 08:10 PM
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Engraved S&W fan
Last edited by RKmesa; 12-26-2020 at 01:12 AM.
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01-17-2021, 11:06 PM
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Interesting post and fantastic photos.
Serial # S657xx
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01-17-2021, 11:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StrawHat
Just curious, those of us with Heavy Duties, (or even the OutDoorsman), what loads are you using in them.
I use the 358156, seated long over a heavy dose of Unique or 2400. Either load is great and shoots to the sights on my old 5”.
So, what do you use?
Kevin
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My Pre-war likes Underwood +P Keiths. Probably pushing 1200 fps out of a 5 inch. BANG!
With the box:
In the bag:
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07-12-2021, 01:53 PM
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Post War 38/44, 5" all numbers match, Price
I have been looking at a model 38/44 heavy duty, 5 " barrel. The owner is been firm on $900. I would rate it at better than 80%. Not being familiar with these. Is that a fair price?
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07-12-2021, 02:44 PM
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My first inclination is buy it now! 😎 But would have to see it first. I haven’t seen one for sale at that price in a long time.
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07-12-2021, 07:57 PM
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I bought this setup about ten years ago including the Lawrence for 700 dollars at a swap meet. I have one other that was converted by someone to 45 Colt by Alan Harton. The gun wears the last set of grips fitted to a gun by Roy Fishpaw.
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07-12-2021, 09:20 PM
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I can't resist, although my paltry offerings are what they are.
This model of 1950 is one of my keepers, just something about the 4" models. June 1954
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07-12-2021, 10:00 PM
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I found my transition 4" HD (SN: S645xx) in a pawn shop in Houston about 35 years ago. I had to give $150. It didn't have the original grips, but has really good finish.
Looking back, it was my first "collectible".
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07-16-2021, 01:48 PM
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After, asking for more pictures,of the post war 38/44. The owner showed me pictures,of different areas. I noticed,pitting,on the trigger guard,as well as other areas of the bottom. I have decided,to pass,on this one. I think I could do better,for what he wants for it.
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07-21-2021, 09:24 PM
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I should have it’s twin in my hands by Friday. Another one of my holy grails. Should pair up nicely with my 520.
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07-21-2021, 09:27 PM
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Why didn’t Smith ever do these in their classic series? Would have been easy to do. Just chamber a Thunder Ranch in 38.
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07-21-2021, 09:35 PM
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S66110 checking in.....
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07-21-2021, 10:03 PM
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I recently posted about a 38/44HD I just acquired. As I compare what it looks like to the pictures posted here, I'm having a hard time distinguishing mine, which I think is 38/44HD Mod 50, and the transitional version. What am I missing that makes it different from the gun I have.
Here is a picture of mine with some old Jay Scott N-frame grips I had. I need to find some good wood for it.
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07-21-2021, 10:25 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Summersteel
I recently posted about a 38/44HD I just acquired. As I compare what it looks like to the pictures posted here, I'm having a hard time distinguishing mine, which I think is 38/44HD Mod 50, and the transitional version. What am I missing that makes it different from the gun I have.
Here is a picture of mine with some old Jay Scott N-frame grips I had. I need to find some good wood for it.
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First tip off is the hammer. Note the difference in shape between your later variation (Model 20 or pre 20 depending on year made and markings inside the frame/crane) and those pictured as Transitional. Totally different actions between the two.
The Transitional guns are those with pre war action/features but shipping post war.
Your configuration appears to be after the transition to short action and either immediately before or during the era of model numbers rather than names.
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07-21-2021, 10:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by .357magger
First tip off is the hammer. Note the difference in shape between your later variation (Model 20 or pre 20 depending on year made and markings inside the frame/crane) and those pictured as Transitional. Totally different actions between the two.
The Transitional guns are those with pre war action/features but shipping post war.
Your configuration appears to be after the transition to short action and either immediately before or during the era of model numbers rather than names.
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Thank you!
No model number on mine. I believe, based on the serial number, it is a 1952-53 gun.
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Last edited by Summersteel; 07-22-2021 at 09:03 PM.
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