Finally found a 38/44, or more!

[4BODIDDLEY]

There's been several posts lately about the 38/44. Divine intervention has allowed me get included into that group. All 4 of these came within a few days of each other at pricing I couldn't resist. The new model 3, I believe is from 1887 and immaculate! The old Outdoorsman is from 1933, I think. The stocks have the gold medallions but I believe they should be silver. The Heavy Duty came in its original gold box. The newer Outdoorsman arrived in a Smith wood presentation box. And I think these stocks are wrong also.
Help me experts. What's right and what's wrong?? Thanks folks!

 

[moosedog]

Wow. You are on a roll. Congratulations.

 

[T44spl]

I'm no expert But if you only got these 4 guns recently you're on quite a roll. The pre-war outdoorsman, the gold medallion stocks may be period correct or may be right at the the transition to the large silver medallion pre-war magnas. But those stocks are worth quite a bit in that condition - do they number to the gun?
The post war Outdoorsman probably should have come with diamond magna stocks but smooth target goncola alves And a presentation case,
all at an attractive price?
Then the 38/44 with gold box, is that a 5" barrel? Post war gun. All guns seem to be in very fine condition. Don't know what you paid but all great guns in nice condition with bonus accessories.
I'm sure more experienced members will be along to provide more information. Congratulations, you got some really nice guns there.

 

[dobegrant]

Not enough of a expert to answer your question but that is an amazing group you have there, congratulations.

 

[DARE]

Click on the Notable Thread Index Sticky in this forum. There is an excellent thread under "Grips" titled; Smith & Wesson N Frame Stocks/Grips - A Reference Guide. Think it will answer your questions. Agree the stocks should be silver medallions on the older gun. Think they started around 1931. The stocks on the newer outdoorsman appear to me to be from 1968 or later. Not sure when your gun shipped. Should also be able to determine date range for the .38/44 grips. All from this very excellent thread.

 

[4BODIDDLEY]

Yes Sir, the Heavy Duty is a 5" from 1950-51. The newer Outdoorsman is from 1953-54. Of course both are S serial numbers.
The grips on the 1933 are in exceptional condition.
I'm not sure the model 3 has been fired!
Someone really took care of their firearms.

 

[paplinker]

What a great haul of guns you bought!

I tend to find guns in groups myself. Then long spells of nothing.

Your prewar OD did come with silver medallion grips but the ones on there look great. Probably worth more than a correct silver set.
The front sight looks undercut. Does it say King on the side?

 

[Bald1]

Everything is right. Very very right. Are they correct? I have no idea. But it's right !!!!!!!

 

[4BODIDDLEY]

The pre war OD front sight is undercut but has no markings. I knew it was not the traditional partridge but I don't know if it could be factory or not. The sight pin looks unmolested.

Thanks to all so far for your questions and comments.

 

[4BODIDDLEY]

I'm still curious about a couple of items on my post. Could the cut out front sight on the pre war OD be factory? What would be the correct grips for the 50s OD. Thanks

 

[Rodan]

Nice haul!

My OD dates to ~1932 and has the silver medallions on grips numbered to the gun. Not sure on the dates for the gold medallions, but I'm sure someone will chime in shortly...

 

[4BODIDDLEY]

Rodan: Mine is 418XX. Are the numbers close? I see the silver medallions and I'm sure those are correct. Yours has the traditional partridge front sight which makes me wonder more about mine.

 

[DARE]

From the Reference Guide I told you about, 1946-1967 Diamond Checkered Magnas. Early Diamond Magnas were called "high or sharp shoulder" often <100,000 serial number.
From 1950-51 period think your gun would have had the early grips. Think the change was around 1955. First target grips around 1952.

1929-1938 Checkered Diamond Service Stocks; Large Silver Medallion. This info also from the Reference Guide.

 

[Rodan]

Rodan: Mine is 418XX. Are the numbers close?

Mine is 409xx.

 

[4BODIDDLEY]

Here's better pics of each

 

[rct269]

One little glitch: Yes, you have four "38/44" revolvers----BUT only one of them is for the 38/44 Cartridge. That would be the NM #3. The other three are for the 38-44 cartridge. HUH?!!

The 38/44 cartridge is a 19th century BLACK POWDER creation with a case the same length as the cylinder (1 7/16") and with the bullet seated entirely within the case---unless it's a later gun with the longer cylinder. Given the original, that makes for ZERO throat, which makes for VASTLY improved accuracy. It came in two versions, a 146 grain bullet in front of 20 grains of powder, and the gallery load of a 70 grain bullet (round ball) with 6 grains of powder. Legend has it Ira Paine (who designed the cartridge) set records for accuracy yet to be broken.

Okay, the 38-44 is an ENTIRELY different cat!! It's a hot-rod .38 Special cartridge. "Hot-Rod" as used here, refers to one of several different loads, this one pushing a 180 grain bullet out the front at 1160 fps---the regular 158 grain round nose at 1200 and some odd fps. Bottom Line: It's a 20th century smokeless powder cartridge which gave birth to the 357 Magnum, and assuming it'll fit in your NM #3 (and it will), it will very likely blow it to smithereens; and HURT YOU-----BAD!!!!

The moral of this story is there are two different so-called 38 (- or /) 44's, and they are DIFFERENT!!!! And as to which is a - or a /, I'm sitting here with my N&J book totally confused, because it's going back and forth between the two like it doesn't make any difference--and IT DOES!!

BEWARE OF THE DIFFERENCE!

Ralph Tremaine

And if you'd like to hear a tale about throat length and accuracy, let me know----and be prepared to be AMAZED!!