At Tulsa last fall with good friends: last day feeling pretty dejected as I had nothing to bring home. My son spotted a modified & refinished Heavy Duty. Serial said pre-war, barrel looked post-war. Price was low so I took the plunge thinking I'd trade it off somewhere. Got home, and pit it in the safe. 1Aspenhill the forum (and world) authority of HDs encouraged me to check further.
Seven months later I dig it out of the safe. Whoa! The 'post-war barrel has patent dates on the top! Guess I bought this without engaging brain. Numbers match except for the goodyears. Sight has been modified and there's a factory return date on the grip frame. So, off goes the S&W Historical Foundation letter request.
So, here's the facts, maam:
In 1935, the Colorado legislature created the Colorado State Highway Courtesy Patrol with an authorized strength of 44 officers. There was some fear that this new agency could get out of control (and take over the state?) The governor wanted them unarmed. However, while the 44 recruits (selected out of 7000 applicants) were in training an order was placed through a Pueblo, CO. hardware store for 44 Heavy Duties. Mine has a rack #30 next to the serial on the grip frame and also on the inside of the grip frame. According to Roy, mine was returned to the factory in 1958 for refurbishment. He did not speculate on whether or not the factory did the sight mod.
Question: After refurb what grips would the factory have installed remembering the longer pre-war grip frame?
Shown wearing old, old walrus ivory grips from my stash.
Seven months later I dig it out of the safe. Whoa! The 'post-war barrel has patent dates on the top! Guess I bought this without engaging brain. Numbers match except for the goodyears. Sight has been modified and there's a factory return date on the grip frame. So, off goes the S&W Historical Foundation letter request.
So, here's the facts, maam:
In 1935, the Colorado legislature created the Colorado State Highway Courtesy Patrol with an authorized strength of 44 officers. There was some fear that this new agency could get out of control (and take over the state?) The governor wanted them unarmed. However, while the 44 recruits (selected out of 7000 applicants) were in training an order was placed through a Pueblo, CO. hardware store for 44 Heavy Duties. Mine has a rack #30 next to the serial on the grip frame and also on the inside of the grip frame. According to Roy, mine was returned to the factory in 1958 for refurbishment. He did not speculate on whether or not the factory did the sight mod.
Question: After refurb what grips would the factory have installed remembering the longer pre-war grip frame?
Shown wearing old, old walrus ivory grips from my stash.
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