Info help on a Heavy Duty for my Son.

[Iggy]

My son has been offered an old .38. It's pre-war with service grips. Serial # 45727

What can you tell me about the gun that I can tell him? Name etched on the side plate is Roy Byrd

What's it worth?

 

[weatherby]

To buy it fast...............before someone notices it has an ejector rod shroud.

 

[Iggy]

Yeah, I just noticed that too.. Whole nother ball game.

 

[Jetman22]

Please explain about the ejector rod shroud.
Thanks


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[Iggy]

K frame M&Ps don't have the shroud protecting the ejector rod.

N frame 38/44 Heavy Duty's do.

 

[Capt. F.]

My son has been offered an old .38. It's pre-war with service grips. Serial # 45727 A Heavy Duty perhaps?

What can you tell me about the gun that I can tell him? Name etched on the side plate is Roy Byrd

What's it worth?

Consider adopting me?

 

[Iggy]

Consider adopting me?

Can you whip a 30 year career Marine? IF so I'll take it into consideration.

 

[cmj8591]

That gun looks like a 5", pre war, 38/44 heavy duty. It is an N frame and is supposed to have an ejector rod shroud. I'm guessing that it was made mid to late 30's. There are some real HD experts on this forum and I'm sure one of them will give you some more information. It is a very nice gun and has a lot of collector appeal.

 

[Iggy]

When we started talking, it sounded like an old M&P. After posting the pics I realized it was a HD..

Picture changed a wee mite with that fact.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

The name engraved on it that's going to knock the value down some unless it's somebody famous. Might even take it from collector down to Shooter.

Guy

 

[Nightowl]

Looks like a mid 30s Heavy Duty, no signs of a reblue, I would guess that grips are original, but I don't know specifics like others do.

I have an RM with serial 46,5xx that shipped in August 1935, about 1000 numbers later.

I think the 5 inch barrel was pretty common.

Very nice looking HD for as old as it is. If reasonably priced, its a go!

 

[Capt. F.]

Can you whip a 30 year career Marine? IF so I'll take it into consideration.

Hell I'd be lucky to win against an 8 year old Cub Scout.

 

[Iggy]

A Marine buddy is going to bring it to work in New Orleans where my Son is stationed tomorrow.

I guess we'll learn some more then.

Thanks for the help folks.

 

[Iggy]

Hell I'd be lucky to win against an 8 year old Cub Scout.

You and I would be a good match then..

 

[crsides]

Well, I happen to know a guy named Roy Byrd.

Charlie

 

[Muley Gil]

There is a whole coop full of Byrds in the Virginias.

 

[montezumaz]

Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 4th Edition, Pages 180-181
.38/44 Heavy Duty (prewar)
VG $1250
Good $850
Fair $600
I sure do like the overall firearm condition, especially the grips, being 80+/- years old.

 

[Iggy]

There's an interesting Byrd in New Orleans in the right time frame. That's where my Son is..

 

[weatherby]

Lots of long haired jazz guys down there.

 

[Iggy]

Yup, even back in the 30's