Aquired a 38/44 - early N frame / 5 screw .38 cal revolver.... It does NOT have an " S" in front of serial no... and serial no. is 42XXX - trying to find out approx date of weapon... Fixed sight Pistol - last date on bbl is Dec 29 14. has lug underneath bbl. inside the crane - it is marked "32" and also on frame where the crane rests. I believe this is a "pre-1920" gun but if anyone would have knowledge of serial numbers on these 38/44 frame pistols... would greatly appreciate the info / jcm
38/44
- Thread starter jcm9026
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My .38/44 HD is 43757 and it shipped in July, 1934. Yours should be somewhere in that neighborhood.
Not possible. The .38/44 wasn't introduced until 1930.
ussmanlovede36
Member
The HD was the answer to police who wanted a more powerful revolver. The HD was chambered for the 38spl but for the new 38spl called the 38-44 Super police. It was the forerunner of the 357mag. I have an Outdoorsman 38-44 shipped 1933. The magna's are post war, I gave up trying to find pre war service stocks.
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larryofcc
Member
Agree with Jack that 1934 is the likely manufacture/ship date. Does it have service stocks from the 1930s? If so, should look like those shown below. We'd love to see pictures.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
https://flic.kr/p/2nPnxgE https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
Jeff
SWCA #1457
https://flic.kr/p/2nPnxgE https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
DWalt
Member
.38-44 ammunition is just a more heavily-charged .38 Special, and was sold under several names. The large loaders stopped loading it around 50 years ago, but several of the boutique loaders (Underwood and Buffalo Bore) still sell it - at a ridiculous price. But it is simple to make your own if you reload. Otherwise, just use any .38 Special ammunition.
One other item. It is not unusual to find HD revolvers having their chambers lengthened so that .357 ammunition can be fired. That was not done by S&W. Something for you to check.
One other item. It is not unusual to find HD revolvers having their chambers lengthened so that .357 ammunition can be fired. That was not done by S&W. Something for you to check.
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Welcome to the Forum! If you could post a couple of pictures, it would help with identification. Sounds like you have a nice .38/44 Heavy Duty (fixed sights). The other version is the Outdoorsman that has an adjustable rear target sight. The .38/44s are very popular revolvers here on the Forum, so you're in good company. You didn't mention barrel length (measure from the front of the cylinder to the muzzle), which can also affect its rarity and value. Enjoy!
