Heavy Duty

[Art Doc]

Bought this around 1998 in Denver at a show. Shipped on 2/8/60 to Sargent Sowell Co., Grand Prairie, TX. I have no info on this dealer. The S154256 serial would appear to be more like 1956 so this is one that set in inventory for a long time. I suspect a lot of HDs were moving slowly at this time due to the introduction of the Combat Magnum in 1955. Still has its original Maga stocks.

I have always suspected it was a cop's duty revolver. Sure has enough holster wear to suggest it. I could see some young cop just starting out his career and he goes looking for sidearm and the dealer tells him S&W is discounting these heavy 38s to move them. To a man on a budget that would be a tempting offer.

The action on this revolver is exceptionally smooth and I think someone may have slicked it up at some point. The sights are dead on with 158 grain lead bullets loaded to 900 fps.

Not fancy or special but I like it.

 

[Wildwest22]

Art Doc, beautiful gun. I have a 19-1 shipped a year or so later. It too was carried. I often wonder what all it’s seen.

 

[jimmyj]

Sargent-Sowell was a Police Supply Dealer who sent out catalogs to L.E. Agencies though out the USA.
When I began my LEO career in 1962 this Company is where I purchased my equipment from. The Agency only supplied uniform and badge.

 

[bulletslap]

The company or a descedant of it still operates in Grand Praire as a Municipal Supply company under the name SA-SO.

 

[LPD256]

For some reason, I love revolvers with 256 in the Serial Number. I have two of them. A 66-2 and a 27-2. Both with 6 inch barrels.

Jim aka LPD256

 

[Art Doc]

Sargent-Sowell was a Police Supply Dealer who sent out catalogs to L.E. Agencies though out the USA.
When I began my LEO career in 1962 this Company is where I purchased my equipment from. The Agency only supplied uniform and badge.

Pretty safe to assume the revolver had a law enforcement career. Most likely in Texas. Thanks for the info.

 

[kennethg]

In my humble opinion, there is no way a sane S&W fan can not like the 4" 34/44HD. My 38/44 model 20 was used by the Pueblo CO. police dept. It is my favorite range revolver.

 

[Babysitr]

Don't see many in these parts....the OP's is sweet! IB lookin too!

 

[LEO918]

Here's my HD of the same vintage....

 

[1Aspenhill]

There were 2ea 4" Nickel HDs in the same shipment. I don't know how many HDs or guns were in the total shipment. You have to step back and look at what was going on. S&W had introduced the Model 28 in 1954 and now America could have a hand gun that shoots both 38s and 357s at a reasonable price. Add to that the introduction of the Combat Magnum in 1956 and you see the .38/44 demand falling even more. The latest HD I have in my database being shipped was in Dec 1964. I hope this helps.
Bill

 

[bigmtnman]

I LOVE the look of a classic S&W "working gun" most likely used by a LEO.
Your example is great !
This thread would (and still does) make me want one REALLY bad ! Thankfully I brought one home today. The serial # dates to 1954 and the factory stamps on the grip frame indicate a re-blue in 1972 (thank you handejector). It had incorrect non-diamond black washer factory magnas so I had no qualms about putting on the stag. The re-blue is a very nice "bright blue". It may not be "right", but I think it sure is pretty !

 

[Kansasgunner]

#S155609 shipped Nov. 1957. Ship dates all over the place for these numbers.

 

[Housepuss]

Just picked this up recently, haven't had time to clean it up yet.
5" barrel, all numbers matching including grips. Left the factory in August of 1931.

These are such sweet shooters. When I take mine to the range nobody knows what they are, never seen one before.

 

[Pine_Worker]

Sargent-Sowell was a Police Supply Dealer who sent out catalogs to L.E. Agencies though out the USA.
When I began my LEO career in 1962 this Company is where I purchased my equipment from. The Agency only supplied uniform and badge.

As jimmy said, police supply company, used to buy some equipment from them.

 

[Dave T]

The action on this revolver is exceptionally smooth and I think someone may have slicked it up at some point.

Art,

I've owned three HDs from this era and still have one. All of them had very smooth actions, despite generally heavy trigger pulls (original springs). I don't think you gun was "slicked" up. I think S&W was just better at putting together revolvers in that time period. I consider the post-War, five-screw S&W revolvers to be the best of them all. YMMV!

Dave

 

[Old Corp]

Another one from the same era, mid-1950's. My only HD, and a great shooter. While I don't know the background on this one, it gives every indication of having been a work gun.