38/44 HD ?

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butchkent

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Just purchased a .38/44 HD, 38 Special. SN range S 74XXX. Would this be considered a transition model or a model of 1950?
IMG_20131118_102410_917-1.jpg

http://smith-wessonforum.com/[img]h...data/500/medium/IMG_20131118_102410_917-1.jpg
 
looks like a transitional model to me with the long action hammer. the stocks do not appear to be the transitional style, are they numbered to the gun?
 
According to what I have read, S&W incorporated the short action into the HD at approximately serial number S72300 in 1948. Of course with S&W, there are always exceptions to everything, and I cannot tell from the photo if it is long or short action.
 
I thought the short action was introduced in with the Model 1950. '48 seems a bit early.

Just askin',
Dave
 
I'm just quoting Roy Jinks from one of my lettered HD's. I believe the 38/44 Outdoorsman was changed on Sept 26, 1950 to the short action. I could be wrong.
 
410bore said:
looks like a transitional model to me with the long action hammer. the stocks do not appear to be the transitional style, are they numbered to the gun?
Click to expand...

The grips are not numbered to the gun. I'm not sure about the action length. Don't have many old Smith's. Seams very similar to modern Smiths.
Reading about the transition models I think they have 4 line addresses. This one had a three line address.
 
Disregard the serial number, the hammer pretty much tells the tale, it's a long action transitional.

That's a tough looking gun. Hopefully Bill will be a long shortly to weigh in on the switch from long to short action. I would be very surprised to find out it happened neatly, but I haven't studied it like some others around here.

Does it have a one line " Made in USA" address on the other side or the longer 4 line "Marcas Estrada..." address?

Also it looks like some one may have filed the front sight, or that just my eyes?
 
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beagleye said:
Disregard the serial number, the hammer pretty much tells the tale, it's a long action transitional.

That's a tough looking gun. Hopefully Bill will be a long shortly to weigh in on the switch from long to short action. I would be very surprised to find out it happened neatly, but I haven't studied it like some others around here.

Does it have a one line " Made in USA" address on the other side or the longer 4 line "Marcas Estrada..." address?

Also it looks like some one may have filed the front sight, or that just my eyes?
Click to expand...

The rear of the front sight is a grooved slanted surface, straight and extending from the base to the very top of the sight. It looks to be factory. The bluing and the uniformity of the groves are exact and match the rest of the firearm. It looks very much like a more modern M&P sight. BTW, all SNs match.

It has the longer 4 lines of address.

Thanks for your help.
 
Long action, four line address, narrow ejector rod, and 74xxx serial number point to a late 1949 transition example. The front sight is clearly modified. Just for fun, drop a .357 cartridge into one of the chambers. If it seats, it's been reamed. If not, then it's only "s(l)ightly" modified. Shoot it, enjoy it. But remember: The pre-1950 S&W's run on leaded fuel!
 
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beagleye said:
Also it looks like some one may have filed the front sight, or that just my eyes?
Click to expand...

The front sight is the same configuration as shown in the SCSW#2 illustration of different models, C prefix example. It has a sloped rear surface that is serrated. The front surface of the sight is rounded as normal.
 
The Gila Bender said:
Long action, four line address, narrow ejector rod, and 74xxx serial number point to a late 1949 transition example. The front sight is clearly modified. Just for fun, drop a .357 cartridge into one of the chambers. If it seats, it's been reamed. If not, then it's only "s(l)ightly" modified. Shoot it, enjoy it. But remember: The pre-1950 S&W's run on leaded fuel!
Click to expand...

As stated in another response, the front sight is the same configuration as the c series M&Ps. a 357 Ctg is approximately 1/10 inch to long to seat.

If the hammer were a later style what would you think?
 
butchkent said:
As stated in another response, the front sight is the same configuration as the c series M&Ps. a 357 Ctg is approximately 1/10 inch to long to seat.

If the hammer were a later style what would you think?
Click to expand...

The hammer is long action, a pre-1950 design. The front sight is not the normal half-moon design, therefore modified. The chambers are .38 Special, not reamed. I think it's a late-1949 HD with modified front sight.

One more thing to check: With the cylinder opened, examine the lower lug, and look in the ejector rod channel for the serial number. It should match the serial numbers on the frame and cylinder.
 
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Thanks for your input. All serial numbers match; shroud, butt, etc. For what its worth this example is numbered within 600 of the stated start of the Model of 1950 ~ 75200. I would agree that if it had all the attributes of the later model it would be surely considered that model. But having seen and read about so many exceptions to the rule, I was looking for a clear cutoff. I believe the rev. to have been shipped in 1950.

Would it be of any benefit to ask for a letter on the piece, especially considering the newer style sight and older style hammer?

Being new to this area, I really appreciate the assistance of all responders.

Thanks,
 
BTW: That ramping of the backside of the half moon front sight was shown in the 1952 catalog as a factory option. I don't know how early this was offered. I'd bet yours is factory. Here's the catalog page along with photo of a 1952 shipped M&P that I had which is now in the hands of another forum member.
 

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quinn said:
BTW: That ramping of the backside of the half moon front sight was shown in the 1952 catalog as a factory option. I don't know how early this was offered. I'd bet yours is factory. Here's the catalog page along with photo of a 1952 shipped M&P that I had which is now in the hands of another forum member.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the catalog info. I believe is factory installed sight also. This helps confirm that belief.
 
I will try to get it lettered. Also, I will shoot it and provide a range report. The action is one of the smoothest I have ever handled. The trigger lets of clean and light. Maybe 3 lbs. Ill have it measured. Barrel looks perfect. Based on my experience with newer Smiths, it has to shoot great.
Thanks again for all your input.
 
Your HD most likely shipped in 1949. Even though S&W said they were going to start the 1950 model of the HD, no one has seen one between S72200 and S75514. Your gun as well as others in this range are clearly Transition guns. Take a look at my picture folder of HDs in this range and you will see that they all have pre war style hammers and triggers which indicate the long action. By this time, the 4 inch guns had the 4 line address and straight ejector rod. The 5 inch guns are a different story. All that I have seen in this range have the large ejector rod head and a single line address and long action, with the address and patent info on top of the barrel phased out. I hope this helps,
Bill
 
Bill, Thanks for the info. I'm convinced you are correct re the transition model. It would be very cool for the sight to be lettered. I will try to do that. Can you point me to a link with the contact info and process for requesting a letter? Also, really enjoyed the pics of other transition models.
I am really impressed with the smoothness of the double action in this revolver. I've owned and shot a number of Smith's over the last 40 years and a few high end Colts . This one is amazing.
 
Jimmy,
My position is when you take all the N frame Transitions, subtract the .357s, 44s and 38/44 Outdoorsmans, you have over 9000 N frames that can only be HDs. So, they were the major N frame sold between 1946 and 1950.
Bill
 
1Aspenhill said:
Jimmy,
My position is when you take all the N frame Transitions, subtract the .357s, 44s and 38/44 Outdoorsmans, you have over 9000 N frames that can only be HDs. So, they were the major N frame sold between 1946 and 1950.
Bill
Click to expand...

Hope you're right Bill, 'cause I'm still looking for a birth year S&W to go with my 1948 Colt Government Model. Sure would be nice if it turns out to be an HD. (smile)

Dave
 
Dave,
It could be a k or j frame

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2
 
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