keithherrington
Member
I just picked up a 38/44 with serial number S155XXX. Can anyone provide an approximate date of birth? Thanks.
Keith
Keith
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Help with approximate birthdate
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Davwingman
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Looks like 1956-1957.
I concur with those dates, but would caution that the market for .38/44s was beginning to sag badly by the late '50s. It was possible for a gun to remain in inventory for months or even a few years before an order allowed it to be shipped. Since it is the shipping date in S&W-land that counts as the birthdate, your gun might be considered a 1958 revolver or even later if it was one of the last ones out of the vault. And there is no way to determine that precisely without getting a factory letter on your particular revolver.
But in general, you can figure the pieces of your gun were being created and assembled around 1956/57.
But in general, you can figure the pieces of your gun were being created and assembled around 1956/57.
1Aspenhill
US Veteran, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
All the S155000 range serial numbers with ship dates are in the 1955-1958 range. I'm sure as David said that others may be shipped later due to falling sales.
Hope this helps,
Bill
Hope this helps,
Bill
OP
keithherrington
Member
Thanks everyone for getting me that answer.
Keith
Keith
OP
keithherrington
Member
Other 38/44 Heavy Duties I've owned.
When I posted this thread a gentleman contacted me by PM about keeping track of 38/44 HDs. Here are two other HDs I've owned. I won't provide the names of the current owners.
1. Custom S&W 38/44 Heavy Duty by Hamilton Bowen, S73462, 4” barrel. Roy Jinks letter says it left the factory on 3 May 1949. Converted to 44 Special, refinished and action job. Bowen invoice # 7790. Currently owned by a friend of mine.
2. Custom S&W 38/44 Heavy Duty by Hamilton Bowen, S156226, 4” barrel. Roy Jinks letter says it left the factory on 18 August 1958. Converted to 38-40, refinished and action job. Traded in 2006.
Keith
When I posted this thread a gentleman contacted me by PM about keeping track of 38/44 HDs. Here are two other HDs I've owned. I won't provide the names of the current owners.
1. Custom S&W 38/44 Heavy Duty by Hamilton Bowen, S73462, 4” barrel. Roy Jinks letter says it left the factory on 3 May 1949. Converted to 44 Special, refinished and action job. Bowen invoice # 7790. Currently owned by a friend of mine.
2. Custom S&W 38/44 Heavy Duty by Hamilton Bowen, S156226, 4” barrel. Roy Jinks letter says it left the factory on 18 August 1958. Converted to 38-40, refinished and action job. Traded in 2006.
Keith
