Grandfathers 38/44 HD Service

[01shm]

A few pics of Grandpa's HD he carried while on the Al HP 1936

[BROWNBESS]

Very nice.... quite the family heirloom.

[mikeruns]

wow and Boy Howdy! That is in some nice preservation for a carry gun pushing 80!

[semperfi71]

I would like to add not only nice for its age but also for being carried on duty.

[j38]

That's a beautiful old HD! Tell us more about your grandfather's history as an LEO if you can.

The gun is in great shape and may be refinished - very nicely done, and maybe by S&W - but looks pretty "fresh" for a gun that was carried by a lawman. Also, the grips are post-war magnas - with a little more wear showing than is evident on the gun.

That gun, being passed down through your family, has much more value than dollars alone can represent. I'm very happy for you!

Thanks for sharing,

Jerry

[jhvaughan2]

Wow!
Wow on the revolver.
Wow on the story.
Start now on creating the test to determine who gets that next. Also I'd suggest you talk to any remaining family members and commit all you know about your Grandfather and his career to paper so the story can survive with the revolver.
Don't let it leave the family.

[01shm]

Thanks Guys

Bill and I were discussing the history behind this one the other day. It was issued to my GFather in 36 and was reissued to my Dad in 59 when he graduated from the Academy. I have the graduation pics when My grandfather presented him with the Badge and gun. My grandfather retired as Capt, Dad retired Lt.

The HD was sent back by my GF to S&W according to my dad in the mid 50's to be renickeled(* on the butt).
Honest wear is what I think you guys call it, very few paved roads back then. I know of one story where he laid the Harley down and messed a knee up, they were called Motormen back then.
I could go on but we'll save it for another chat down the road. Hope you guys enjoyed the pics as much as I did shooting them. I was in a hurry, I'll get better soon.
My dad set there watching me shine this up for these pics, he tells me this gun hasn't been shot in over forty years.

If you can think of any questions, just get back to me.

01jerry

[Butchbird]

When I joined the Austin PD in 1967 I was issued one of these with a four inch barrel -- Since then I have owned several -- they were great guns

[n4zov]

A beautiful 38/44 HD! The Alabama Highway Patrol was still using those guns as late as 1960-61 when my brother-in-law joined and was issued one. 01shm, is your gun marked in any way to indicate AHP ownership? PM sent.

[Art Doc]

Great pistol and fantastic heirloom.

[1Aspenhill]

Jerry,
Great looking gun and history! It truly is a family heirloom is probably very unique that a HD has been passed down 3 generations already. Thanks for posting the pics, we all have enjoyed them.
Bill

[gunlovingirl]

Owning a family heirloom like that, and knowing the history behind it, is priceless! Thanks for sharing the pics and the story!

[DCWilson]

Beautiful HD! S&W did right by that gun when they refinished it.

I envy the folks that have heirloom handguns in the family, particularly when the heirloom has a law enforcement association. My parents and grandparents were just not gun people. Any gun I acquire has a history, but no matter how much history it has it won't be family history.

[zainyD]

I'll echo everyone's sentiments when I say great pics and story!

Is there a way you can post some pictures of your grand-father & father with the gun?

[ENGINE18]

Wow! Great piece and history. You must be very proud!

[tekarra]

Great looking revolver and a great story to go with it. Thanks for sharing.

[ElToro]

very nice and that it protected both your Grandpa and dad for all those years makes it even more special.

i have recently been charged with custody of some family guns including a damascus barrel Parker that belonged to my double great grandfather c1887 from down on the farm, and a Win 94 that belonged to my great uncle. im sure my son (hes 2) or hopefully grandsons some day will appreciate then like I do.

[Glock 'em down]

A truly stunning old revolver. If that feller could talk, I could only imagine the tales it could tell.

Was your father or grandfather (or both perhaps) left handed? There seems to be a little more wear on that left grip panel than on the right.

[01shm]

My grandfather wore the pistol reverse draw, which would put the Gun on his left side butt facing away. He rode the state Harley which was in some serious elements, mostly dirt roads. I've got pics of him wearing it in uniform. Also, my dad wearing it at Graduation in 59' when my grandfather presented him with the Diploma.

Its pretty neat as the Decatur Daily news had a 50 yrs ago today clip about a month ago mentioning Father and son as being the only ones in the Al HP history at the time graduating from the Academy.

I'll post in the next few days, thank you guys for the interest as I'm fairly new to the forum and have a ton to say so bare with me

Jerry

[Jimmymac46]

The only thing better than a pre-war HD is a pre-war HD with a known history! I can only assume that most HD's have some sort of law enforcement history, but I imagine few know as much as you do about yours. Great gun and history!

I acquired one about 10 years ago from the son of a California State Park Ranger. It is 1931 vintage and I therefore I must assume that the now deceased ranger was not the first owner.....however? I wish I could learn about the history of the gun like you have, but not at this point. All of our weapons that we didn't acquire new have a history prior to our acquiring them, but an LE history is more interesting I believe.

Congrats on your gun and the knowledge you have about it.

[charlie sherrill]

A few of the older guys were carrying HD's when I started in 1969. I thought they were ugly then even though I started with a mod. 10 pencil barrel. I soon switched to a mod. 58 and then to the SS 66 and 686. I picked up a beautiful HD from Cajun Lawyer a few years ago and it ain't going anywhere. I answered a prowler call a couple of years ago and I found the homeowner standing in the yard with a 4" nickel HD that had gold plated flutes, hammer, trigger, and cylinder release. He told me a Constable had owned it back in the 30's. I tried to buy it to no avail.

[Norton 750]

Priceless. Great old gun and great history.