38-44 Heavy Duty Transition

[1blindref]

I was able to add a very nice 4" example to my HD collection this past week.
This one shipped to Des Moines, IA on July 15, 1946. It's all numbers matching and by the looks of it led a very cushy life, probably forgotten in a drawer somewhere.

It goes well with the two other HD Transitions I have.

This 5" gun that's equally as nice shipped one month later in August 1946

And my other 4" gun shipped near the end of the Transition time period in December 1949. It's interesting to see the LERK and single line address on the early gun vs the small ejector rod knob (SERK?) and four line address on the later gun.

 

[murphydog]

Nice find! Apparently the company is still in business, but not in firearms:

History | Kurtz Hardware Architectural Doors & Hardware

 

[jonny13sb]

Beautiful revolvers and very nice photos too! I only have one HD and it's a post war transitional 4" sn S73000 shipped in May 1949, wish I could find more but SoCal is a desert when it comes to finding old Smiths.

 

[beagleye]

I am very envious of your trans HDs. NICE SET! I really love the balance of the 4" n frame, it is very secure in one's hand.

I have one similar to your lerk single line 4". It's one of my favorite guns. S 664xx.

 

[bracebeemer]

Rick, that's a really pristine example of a very desirable model. I was able to add one to my collection about 5 years ago. My serial number is a little earlier but shipped just a little later. Mine, with serial number S65554 was shipped August 26, 1946 and delivered to Shapleigh Hardware of St. Louis.The couple I purchased this revolver from knew the original owner and said he was a border patrol officer at Eagles Nest Texas and that he shot and killed an illegal alien on the bridge at the crossing with this gun. The gun was never used very much.
Bill

 

[samandglove1]

Some really nice guns in this thread. My transition has a bit more holster time, but it still shoots like a dream. Shipped out in July of 1946 (S 65533).

 

[ironmikevelocette]

you lucky dog!

That shooter is my BD year and my home state! You're really lucky I didn't see it first.
I have #73236, also a four inch transition model that didn't lead a cushy life. The HD is about the best "point&shoot" revolver there is.
congrats on your spectacular find.
iron mike

 

[RKmesa]

Rick:

Nice photos of a few very nice HDs.

Thanks for sharing,

 

[1blindref]

Nice find! Apparently the company is still in business, but not in firearms:

History | Kurtz Hardware Architectural Doors & Hardware

Interesting - thank you Alan!

 

[The Gila Bender]

Wow, that's a beauty! Thank you for showing your 4" HD and transition HD collection. The 4" barrel and case colors are striking, a superb example of the period. I never get tired of seeing and handling transition N frames, long action single line address examples in particular. Nice, very nice.

 

[1blindref]

Rick, that's a really pristine example of a very desirable model. I was able to add one to my collection about 5 years ago. My serial number is a little earlier but shipped just a little later. Mine, with serial number S65554 was shipped August 26, 1946 and delivered to Shapleigh Hardware of St. Louis.The couple I purchased this revolver from knew the original owner and said he was a border patrol officer at Eagles Nest Texas and that he shot and killed an illegal alien on the bridge at the crossing with this gun. The gun was never used very much.
Bill

That's a beautiful HD and package with the box and floral holster. Very cool story to go along with it as well.

 

[JSW]

Another great one!

 

[410bore]

Very nice Rick! Not sure how I missed this thread!!

 

[Muley Gil]

Very nice.

That would make a great .44 Special or .45 Colt!

 

[DCWilson]

Nice one! The company was really pumping them out in mid-1946. I have S66842 in similar condition. It shipped to Chicago three days after yours left for Des Moines.

 

[1blindref]

Very nice.

That would make a great .44 Special or .45 Colt!

BLASPHEMY!!!!

 

[jack the toad]

Very nice.

That would make a great .44 Special or .45 Colt!

Not to hijack but I have a rather used 4" I'd like to do in 45ACP if I could find someone to do it.

 

[S&WIowegan]

Not to hijack but I have a rather used 4" I'd like to do in 45ACP if I could find someone to do it.

Oh Lordy, you guys are treading on dangerous ground. If Aspenhill sees your posts you might go on a hit list!

 

[Tom K]

Mine has been scuffed around a little bit, just enough that I can shoot it without feeling bad. I haven't lettered it yet but it's on my list of things to do. (Click on the pics for a larger version.)