Awhile back a friend, and forum member, was at a gun show (in his home state of PA) where he had displayed several nice S&Ws. He had a dealer come up and look at the display, which included a few 38/44 Heavy Duties, ranging from a 4" Pre War to a 5" transition. He then stated, we have a pre war 5" HD with magnas for sale in our shop. After the show, I was talking with my friend and he mentioned the story and that he may go check the gun out and see if it really was a Pre War. He also mentioned that he sort of hoped the magnas were not numbered to the gun as he needed a set for another revolver. I casually mentioned to him that I'd been wanting to find a nice pre war HD, and he said he would more than likely sell it (potentially without the magnas if they happened to not number to it) as he had purchased several nice revolvers over the last month or so. I am certain, however, if the gun had a Humpback Hammer, I'd have never got a shot at it! 
The next week, my friend headed off to take a look at the gun and see just what it was. It turned out to be exactly what it was advertised as; a Pre War 5" HD, with matching magnas! It was in nice shape, having blue wear from use. He ended up buying the gun and after he got home, he sent me a few pics and we talked about the gun and whatnot. He decided he didn't "need" it at the time, having already spent a healthy sum on several other revolvers recently (plus he has a factory 4" Pre War HD to hold him over), and we came to an agreement on a fair price. I was very happy when it arrived 
SUPER CLEAN frame and back of magnas!
Soon after receiving the HD, I sent out for a Factory Letter. Its configuration isn't rare, nor was it in question, but I just had to know more about it; it's one of those guns that has honest wear on the outside, but was really clean on the inside and looked hardly fired. My gut feeling was it could be a police gun and I mentioned that to my friend and he joked that if it lettered as a police gun, I'd owe him some more money!!!
Well, it was not long until I received the letter (less than 20 days to be exact; thanks to Roy, and Don, for the great turnaround time since they started back up! ) and my hunch was correct! The HD shipped 12/29/1936 to Columbiana County Sheriff Harry L. Gosney, Columbiana, Ohio in an order of 6 identical units (5", blue, magna stocks). To say I am thrilled would be an understatement; a nice Pre War HD is one thing but to have law enforcement provenance AND be a gun from my home state of Ohio is a pretty good bonus; and something I'd have never known if I wouldn't have sent for the factory letter.
I guess I owe my friend for this one (actually, I think I "prepaid" him a year or so ago on a pretty rare S&W accessory) Thanks Jim!
Here is a shot of the letter and of the gun with a period box of 38/44 ammo and a Brill-style holster made just for this gun (actually fitted using another 5" PW HD). Thanks again for the holster Alex!
The next week, my friend headed off to take a look at the gun and see just what it was. It turned out to be exactly what it was advertised as; a Pre War 5" HD, with matching magnas! It was in nice shape, having blue wear from use. He ended up buying the gun and after he got home, he sent me a few pics and we talked about the gun and whatnot. He decided he didn't "need" it at the time, having already spent a healthy sum on several other revolvers recently (plus he has a factory 4" Pre War HD to hold him over
), and we came to an agreement on a fair price. I was very happy when it arrived 
SUPER CLEAN frame and back of magnas!
Soon after receiving the HD, I sent out for a Factory Letter. Its configuration isn't rare, nor was it in question, but I just had to know more about it; it's one of those guns that has honest wear on the outside, but was really clean on the inside and looked hardly fired. My gut feeling was it could be a police gun and I mentioned that to my friend and he joked that if it lettered as a police gun, I'd owe him some more money!!!
Well, it was not long until I received the letter (less than 20 days to be exact; thanks to Roy, and Don, for the great turnaround time since they started back up! ) and my hunch was correct! The HD shipped 12/29/1936 to Columbiana County Sheriff Harry L. Gosney, Columbiana, Ohio in an order of 6 identical units (5", blue, magna stocks). To say I am thrilled would be an understatement; a nice Pre War HD is one thing but to have law enforcement provenance AND be a gun from my home state of Ohio is a pretty good bonus; and something I'd have never known if I wouldn't have sent for the factory letter.
I guess I owe my friend for this one (actually, I think I "prepaid" him a year or so ago on a pretty rare S&W accessory
) Thanks Jim!Here is a shot of the letter and of the gun with a period box of 38/44 ammo and a Brill-style holster made just for this gun (actually fitted using another 5" PW HD). Thanks again for the holster Alex!
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