I Think I Have a 38/44 Heavy Duty from 1932

[CoronaGold111]

Well, after reading the Sticky: "To Identify Your Gun," I don't have a lot of questions left. Oh well, I'll just post for the conversation of it. Actually, three questions remain.

1)Confirm for me that this revolver is what I think it is,
2)What are the 'B' and 'C' that are stenciled into the ejector shroud and on the frame behind the yoke?
3)And finally, tell me about that butt swivel. Is it factory installed?

Let me try to add some photos and then I will follow up with the story. (Photos uploaded I think...on with the show!)

I recently bought this at auction. It was listed as "S&W 38 DA." It is the first S&W revolver I've owned that is older than I am. (I'm 49.) I mainly collect 357 Magnum shooters. I enjoy the history, development, and changes over time. I kinda like to shoot 'em too. I wanted something that would help represent the story of how the 357 Magnum came to be, and the 38/44 is just that, plus it is a big, hefty chunk of a gun and I like that too.

So let me give you the information as I see it:
It is a Smith & Wesson hand ejector S/N 39536 which dates to 1932 in the SCSW 3rd edition. The 5 inch barrel is roll marked on the right side with "38 S & W. SPECIAL CTG" and has fixed sights. Humpback hammer, ejector shroud, long action, assembly codes on the frame and yoke--everything says to me that this is an early S&W 38/44 Heavy Duty. Do you agree?

It may be difficult to see in the photos, it is definitely difficult to see in person. The letter 'B' is stenciled inside the ejector shroud about a half inch before the serial number. And the letter 'C' is stenciled into the frame behind the yoke about an inch above the assembly code. Can anyone tell me what those are? I would assume just another assembly code of some sort, but it would be great to KNOW.

And finally, tell me about the butt swivel. It seems odd that it would be shipped from the factory in the configuration pictured, but sometimes things happen. I read in the SCSW that an order of 100 were shipped to British Columbia with lanyard rings installed, but that was a 1942 order--not in sync with this production date.

I am thrilled to have it and invite your questions and comments. Thanks.

 

[22hipower]

Nice, I like it. The B in the ejector housing indicates it was originally finished in blue. I don't know what the C may mean; inspector stamp perhaps. I think if the lanyard ring/butt swivel had been installed at the factory the SN would be offset so as not to be damaged by the installation. Might be a bit of an issue with the ATF but perhaps not that big a deal on a pre-war HD. You may be right as to the date but the stocks are from the 1920s; perhaps assembled then but not shipped. The only way to know when and where originally shipped would be via a S&W letter of authenticity.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Muley Gil]

Remove the grips and see if the serial number is stamped on the left side of the grip frame. It was not uncommon for S&W to get an order for a revolver with a lanyard loop. If they didn't have a frame that had not yet been stamped with a serial number, the factory would take a finished revolver from the vault, install a lanyard loop through the SN and then re-stamp the SN on the grip frame, under the grips.

Some police departments issued revolvers with lanyard loops.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Likely you are correct. This is what Roy Jinks told me about mine:

.38/44 HD serial 37058 was shipped in January 1931

Your number is close enough to have shipped in '31 or '32.

 

[lestert357]

I think Heavy Duties, especially pre-war guns with the beautiful high polish blue finish like yours, are some of the best revolver bargains on the planet today. Congratulations! Based on the fit alone I'm sure you're aware that the grips are not original to the gun. The original grips would have looked like those pictured below, probably without the grip adapter. Also, the hammer is the standard configuration, not a humpback, same as pictured below.

 

[CoronaGold111]

Remove the grips and see if the serial number is stamped on the left side of the grip frame...

No S/N under the grips. Good info though, thanks!

 

[CoronaGold111]

Beautiful lestert. Thanks.

 

[larryofcc]

Looks like someone swiss cheesed the stocks due to the number of holes.
It is against federal law to obliterate or deface a serial number. You need to have someone stamp the serial number into the left side of the frame. Smith and Wesson will not do it. I asked, because I have a real nice 22 Outdoorsman that someone did the same thing to. Paid $400 for it and it is almost in new condition. I will have mine stamped soon.
Other than that, you have found a nice revolver. I just bought a real nice one too, with no problems of course. Big Larry

 

[1Aspenhill]

They are correct, those grips did not come on the gun. Your gun could have been shipped in 1931/32 or 33 as there are guns before it shipped in 33 and guns after shipped in 31. If you have to know, a factory letter is the only way to go. If the factory put the swivel in, the serial mumber would be stamped inside the grip frame.
I hope this helps.

 

[delcrossv]

You need a nickel one in this thread. Shipped 1934. Likes Underwood +p Keiths.

 

[flagman1776]

Anyone can buy number stamps. Even though the serial number may be obstructed by the lanyard loop hopefully the digits are still intact. An additional stamping on the side of the grip frame will be easier to view than removing the butt swivel... though grip removal is still required.

 

[ken158]

Guns made prior to 1968 don't have to have a serial number... nothing to see here.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Speaking of original or after market stocks, mine did not have original stocks on it when I acquired it. Ask me if I care.......!