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03-04-2024, 07:20 PM
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Pre war 38/44 4”
Here is a long time grail gun. Thanks to my friend flygas !
Very few 4” prewar were made. And this one shipped to Oshman’s for the City of Houston TX. Stocks are correctly numbered.
***Not rechambered to .357
Right side added #9
Last edited by mchom; 03-05-2024 at 07:59 AM.
Reason: Add
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03-04-2024, 07:40 PM
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Now I have barrel envy!...My only prewar HD is a blued 5" with all matching numbers...It shipped 6/24/1932 to the Garnett Kansas Police Department...A request to find who it was ordered for was a dead end because the Garnett city hall and all its records was destroyed by fire in the late forties...It was a single gun order through WS Darley & Co. of Chicago so may have been for someone wearing the big hat on the upper floor...  ...Ben
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03-04-2024, 07:48 PM
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That's a fabulous find mchom - really enjoy all the 38/44 beauty you've posted of late.
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03-04-2024, 08:20 PM
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Awesome gun with great provenance!
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03-04-2024, 08:23 PM
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Kansas guns are awesome!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Truckman
Now I have barrel envy!...My only prewar HD is a blued 5" with all matching numbers...It shipped 6/24/1932 to the Garnett Kansas Police Department...A request to find who it was ordered for was a dead end because the Garnett city hall and all its records was destroyed by fire in the late forties...It was a single gun order through WS Darley & Co. of Chicago so may have been for someone wearing the big hat on the upper floor... ...Ben |
Wow!
Fantastic gun Ben
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03-04-2024, 08:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mchom
Here is a long time grail gun. Thanks to my friend flygas !
Very few 4” prewar were made. And this one shipped to Oshman’s for the City of Houston TX. Stocks are correctly numbered.
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Stunning Mike,
Congrats, that is a fantastic revolver, I've never seen a 4" (actually didn't know they existed...  )
Just WOW!!
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03-04-2024, 09:48 PM
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That’s a beauty, I have a few five in prewar HDs but doubt I’ll ever come across a four inch. Nice stocks also !
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03-04-2024, 10:32 PM
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Shades of Indiana Jones! That's one gorgeous gun, can we see a right side image whenever you get the opportunity? Thanks for sharing with us.
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03-04-2024, 10:56 PM
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Here is left side
Bit of wear below cylinder
Last edited by mchom; 03-05-2024 at 07:28 AM.
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03-04-2024, 11:02 PM
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Pre war 38/44 4”
Congratulations on your find. I have a post war 4” 1949 s/n S 74355. Never was rechambered to .357 Magnum. Looks Great and Shoots Great.
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03-05-2024, 07:29 AM
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Right side added
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03-05-2024, 10:43 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mchom
Bit of wear below cylinder
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I wonder what causes the mark below the cylinder on the frame.
I own/have owned a few guns with the same mark.
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03-05-2024, 11:34 AM
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Ben, I have a 5" shipped February 12, 1937 to the Chief of Police OV Kelby, Iola KS. I purchased it from an old guy in Grand Junction several years ago. He was the editor of the local paper in Iola and purchased it from the second Chief to own it.
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03-05-2024, 12:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Marshal tom
Ben, I have a 5" shipped February 12, 1937 to the Chief of Police OV Kelby, Iola KS. I purchased it from an old guy in Grand Junction several years ago. He was the editor of the local paper in Iola and purchased it from the second Chief to own it.
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Sounds like it was a popular choice for Kansas LEO's...With mine I also have a letter on the Garnett PD letterhead from the DPS Director (along with his business card) stating a search was made in records for the original purchaser which is also how I found out about the city hall fire...The Director mentioned in the letter that he is also a firearm and police memorabilia collector, and understands the historical value of such items...  ...Ben
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03-05-2024, 12:38 PM
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Great looking pistol.
I have A 38/44 prewar with a couple differences I’d like for the experts opinion on.
Mine has the small emblem on the left side and a rectangular notch in the barrel where the extractor rod fits. Mine has a 41xxx serial number and I assume earlier ship date.
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03-05-2024, 05:19 PM
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This thread makes me appreciate my pre-war four inch HD even more, even thought it does not have the original stocks and has been reamed out to 357. I don't mind the fact it can take magnums but the stocks are a huge deal. Great that it is all intact.
I do need to letter mine.
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03-05-2024, 05:53 PM
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Very cool!!!
I looked for a decade and if I recall only saw one PW 4" but I could not afford at the time. These are rare guns. And to me they are desirable Modified or not. Many of my HDs are bored to 357 and I personally don't value them less. Of my 5 pre-war HDs four letter to an LE. I really value the history and not necessarily it's condition per se. After all they were tools and sometimes used hard. But I know I am not alone in this sentiment.
It would be very interesting to see where yours went to. Please post a pic when you have time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vtgw938
This thread makes me appreciate my pre-war four inch HD even more, even thought it does not have the original stocks and has been reamed out to 357. I don't mind the fact it can take magnums but the stocks are a huge deal. Great that it is all intact.
I do need to letter mine.
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03-05-2024, 06:07 PM
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Thanks....And very Nice Outdoorsman
I am no authority so I don't know exact dates.
I have 40577 that has the small logo on left. But I have not lettered it. But my next OD sequentially is is 58055 and by then the logo was moved to the right side. Of course I have learned here that S&W did not necessarily ship in order of serial number.
I do have an HD with small logo on left serial 49873 that shipped on 11/30/36 FWIW
Quote:
Originally Posted by MHF
Great looking pistol.
I have A 38/44 prewar with a couple differences I’d like for the experts opinion on.
Mine has the small emblem on the left side and a rectangular notch in the barrel where the extractor rod fits. Mine has a 41xxx serial number and I assume earlier ship date.
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03-05-2024, 06:22 PM
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OP:
Here is my lone HD. 61846, shipped November of 1940.
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03-05-2024, 07:11 PM
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Fantastic. I went years not seeing so much as one. Thx for sharing .
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03-05-2024, 08:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MHF
Great looking pistol.
I have A 38/44 prewar with a couple differences I’d like for the experts opinion on.
Mine has the small emblem on the left side and a rectangular notch in the barrel where the extractor rod fits. Mine has a 41xxx serial number and I assume earlier ship date.
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OP:
Why does your HD have what looks like a later extractor rod?
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03-05-2024, 09:10 PM
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Good eye! I did not notice that
you are right
It’s def later style
I don’t see any #s inside ejector housing
The inside if the ejector does not have the slight cut out for the end of the knob
Intersting….
Possibly it went back to factory post war for new 4” barrel
No star on frame or cylinder. No dates either …
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vtgw938
OP:
Why does your HD have what looks like a later extractor rod?
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Last edited by mchom; 03-05-2024 at 09:24 PM.
Reason: Add
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03-05-2024, 10:04 PM
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Blame MHF, I never would have noticed. Just goes to show how hard it is to find the whole package. I also have been amazed how many guns have been re-barreled, even newer models.
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03-05-2024, 11:13 PM
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Agreed!
My favorite TL was sent back to change the barrel from 6.5 to 4 by a LA County Sheriff Lt. These were working guns 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vtgw938
Blame MHF, I never would have noticed. Just goes to show how hard it is to find the whole package. I also have been amazed how many guns have been re-barreled, even newer models.
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03-05-2024, 11:58 PM
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My old reblued 4” prewar Heavy Duty with Humpback hammer. Letters as one of ten ordered for the City of Fort Smith. 
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03-06-2024, 12:01 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kansasgunner
My old reblued 4” prewar Heavy Duty with Humpback hammer. Letters as one of ten ordered for the City of Fort Smith.
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Is the stamping still on the backstrap after the reblue?
Cool the hammer has the concentric grooves that late.
Most 38/44 ODs with HBH are smooth.
Last edited by paplinker; 03-06-2024 at 12:03 AM.
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03-06-2024, 09:12 AM
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paplinker,
The back strap markings are gone, likely removed during the reblue. Grips don’t number, they’re from my woodpile and fit really well. It’s a nice tight old gun that’s fun to shoot.
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03-06-2024, 10:51 AM
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WOW!!!!!
This revolver is awesome!!!
Love the LE provenance
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kansasgunner
My old reblued 4” prewar Heavy Duty with Humpback hammer. Letters as one of ten ordered for the City of Fort Smith.
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03-06-2024, 05:15 PM
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With some accessories from back in the day!
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03-09-2024, 08:55 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kansasgunner
With some accessories from back in the day! |
How about some of these, Tim?😀
Larry
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03-09-2024, 09:51 PM
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Pre War 38/44
I worked for Othman’s in Macon Georgia back in 1977.
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03-10-2024, 02:41 AM
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My 4" HD is post-war but not by much: S66110. I haven't lettered it yet but I believe it's 1946 or '47. Stocks are numbered to the gun.
It's not bored out and seems to like hot loaded 158 grain lead semi-wadcutters.
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03-10-2024, 10:29 AM
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Wow!!! THAT is a beautiful revolver!!!
And accurate too!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shotguncoach
My 4" HD is post-war but not by much: S66110. I haven't lettered it yet but I believe it's 1946 or '47. Stocks are numbered to the gun.
It's not bored out and seems to like hot loaded 158 grain lead semi-wadcutters.
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