1938 S&W 38/44 HD

[Sodapop69]

Traded into this '38 38/44 factory nickel & factory refinish. I have a letter from the Baton Rouge Symposium earlier this yr (came with the trade). Stocks match to revolver. Has one blemish, a previous owner etched his name into the revolver (plan to see if it can be buffed out by a local smith). Inputs & values greatly appreciated. I'm all in at $870, good trade?

 

[Sodapop69]

More pics..

 

[quinn]

Great gun! There are not many 6" models, and the refinish is excellent. I think you got a good deal on a verified W&K gun. I think I do serious research on the owner's name before I got it removed... may be a Texas Ranger or sheriff.

 

[Sodapop69]

Looks like there were only 4,761 made, I'm sure even less in the nickel finish. The name on it was done after '74.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Considering what those pre-war N frame magnas sell for, I'd say it was a good trade, Tim!

 

[1Aspenhill]

I believe you mean there were on ly 4761 Pre war Outdoorsman made. 11,111 is the number used for pre war HDs. 5" models like yours were the majority of those made.

 

[Sodapop69]

Yes, 11,111 were produced pre-war.

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

THAT is sweet!

 

[Sodapop69]

I've started searching the S&W forums & it seems these nickel'd 38/44's are readily found? Being it's a lettered (?) 5" bbl, factory re-finished nickel and stocks # to hd, what would a realistic value be on it? Granted I'm all in at a whopping $870....thnx

 

[Sodapop69]

Will today's N frame grips fit this pre-war N frame?

 

[LEO918]

Today's N frame grips will fit, but will leave a small portion of the bottom of the grip fame exposed. The Pre War grip frame is just a tad longer.

 

[Sodapop69]

After some tedious research, seems the name etched after the refinish in '72 is the name of a Sheriff in NC. I have no verification it was his since records show he was sheriff in late 1890's. Still searching...