Examining the .38/44 Heavy Duty (Model 20) revolver...

[runscott]

"Originally Posted by runscott
This one from 1930 has non-original grips that don't appear to number to an N-frame: 205757

Any ideas as to what they might be are greatly appreciated. Thanks."

Could have come off of a 1917 that was sent to Brazil.

Thanks. That's as good of a theory as any. I've scoured the serial# ranges in the Catalog, and nothing made any sense. In any case, those grips are too small for my hands, so they are put away. It is too good of a shooter to not be ready for work when the mood hits me.

Further evidence of the sickness: this 1946 transitional will arrive Thursday. The Pachmyer grips will be replaced with a nice set of diamond magnas that have been looking for a home:

 

[runscott]

When trying to add a set of post-war diamond magna grips, I discovered that the above revolver has a pre-war size frame.

Is that standard on the early post-war Heavy Duties?

 

[lestert357]

When trying to add a set of post-war diamond magna grips, I discovered that the above revolver has a pre-war size frame.



Is that standard on the early post-war Heavy Duties?

Yes, it's standard on all of the early post war N frame Transitional guns.

 

[runscott]

Yes, it's standard on all of the early post war N frame Transitional guns.

Thank you. Now I have a set of post-war diamond magna with no home, and yesterday picked up a set of post-war MOP grips at our gun show that are also too short. Worse still will be ponying up for nice pre-war N-frame grips!

 

[lestert357]

Thank you. Now I have a set of post-war diamond magna with no home, and yesterday picked up a set of post-war MOP grips at our gun show that are also too short. Worse still will be ponying up for nice pre-war N-frame grips!

Post war grips that fit the Transitional frames are occasionally available, but they won't be cheap either.

 

[THREEDFLYER]

Don't forget about the APD (Austin Police Dept.) HD's

 

[A10]

Great article! This is the first I have read of 8 3/8 barrels on either HDs or Outdoorsmen. Are there any pics or documentation on them? I'd love to see one!

 

[1Aspenhill]

Roy has stated that there weren't any 8 3/8 inch barrels on either model.
Bill

 

[SuperMan]

Never really had any interest in .38s but for some reason have been looking at buying one of these... Have bid on two but the bids just went up way beyond what I wanted to pay....

Hope to find a nice 50s vintage gun one day...still trying to decide on a 4" or 5"....

Nice guns guys...

Bob

 

[mm93]

The 38/44 HD is another one of my favorites among S&W revolvers. But I love target sights, so I really like the Model 1950 Target version with 6.5" barrel.

 

[larryofcc]

I am a bit confused. I have my grandfather's 1941 Outdoorsman in my hand right now. It is serial #62041. I have a photo of him wearing the gun (Motor Police Officer), next to his 1939 Indian motorcycle, in 1941-42. It is definitely a pre-war gun, outside (just barely) of the serial number range you shared.

Could there be a few numbers that were missed in researching this?

In my collection, I have 38-44 Outdoorsman # 62022, shipped to an individual 7-22-1940. Our revolvers are pretty close to the end of the Pre Wars. Mine has the Humpback Hammer and it's original numbered box. It letters with the hammer. Big Larry

 

[hoss@fol43]

Here's an early one.

 

[Jaymo]

Still unsuccessfully searching for a .38-44 HD or OD that I can afford.
Same applies to a 1930s Indian motorcycle.

I can always dream.

 

[SuperMan]

Never really had any interest in .38s but for some reason have been looking at buying one of these... Have bid on two but the bids just went up way beyond what I wanted to pay....

Hope to find a nice 50s vintage gun one day...still trying to decide on a 4" or 5"....

Nice guns guys...

Bob

...first time I have ever quoted myself... Today is my Birth Day...in 1952... Shortly after I wrote the above I saw a 4" 1952 HD for sale on GunBroker and ended up buying it... Just got a call from my dealer and the gun was delivered today...but I'm out of town so I'll have to get it Friday when I get back....

Will go nice with my day of birth Pre-27, 1952 Pre-17 and two 1952 Colt Commanders in .38 Super.......

This all thanks to Paladin....

Bob

..it is a little worn...like me....

Smith & Wesson Model 38-44 Heavy Duty 38 S&W - Revolvers at GunBroker.com : 811823491

 

[SuperMan]

Does anyone out there have a lettered HD or other N-frame that is in the 91000 serial number range? Was wondering what might be the month it was shipped.

The Pre-27 I have is 83K and was shipped in late May...

Thanks...Bob

 

[SuperMan]

Picked up the gun today.... While there is some holster wear and some fine surface scratches, the gun looks to be unfired... There is no drag mark on the breechface, hardly any cylinder line and no deposits between the barrel shank and frame...the chambers all look totally clean also.... Locks up tight like new...this is crazy...

Same seller had another well used one that was a 7xxxx serial number that only sold for in the mid-$500s. I worte the seller to see if there was anything he could tell me as to where the gun came from....

Having trouble posting pics...will try again shortly...

Bob

 

[SuperMan]

Does look like it may have been test fired by the owner....and that is about it...

 

[rocknroad]

Does look like it may have been test fired by the owner....and that is about it...

Beautiful gun. I'm just confused how it looks (in your pictures) to have some degree of typical carry/holster wear but, not have been fired.

 

[larryofcc]

Mine is scheduled to be here tomorrow by USPS from Kansas City. I am at the end of the delivery route so it will be late tomorrow. 1st thing I will do, is see if the stocks are numbered to the gun. The other numbers are matching. Big Larry

 

[LEO918]

Here's an old shooter grade Pre War HD I hang onto for some reason...