Latest find

[IWK2HT]

Pick this up a few days ago, a rather scarce model this side of the boarder. It was the first one I have seen come up for sale. It's not "minty" as I've heard people say but it's in nice shape and all the the numbers match.
Had it at the range yesterday and it a pleasure to shoot even with stiff 38 spl. loads.
Ser# is S154xxx so it looks like 1956 or there about.
Any comments are welcome.
Ted

 

[jmace57]

Oooh - my favorite! And a beauty. I have one just like it with serial number S158425, and I have a 1956 ship date.

Nice find!

 

[jmace57]

sorry - duplicate post

 

[bigwheelzip]

Pick this up a few days ago, a rather scarce model this side of the boarder. It was the first one I have seen come up for sale. It's not "minty" as I've heard people say but it's in nice shape and all the the numbers match.
Had it at the range yesterday and it a pleasure to shoot even with stiff 38 spl. loads.
Ser# is S154xxx so it looks like 1956 or there about.
Any comments are welcome.
Ted

Looks nice, but perhaps you might add the model number to your post for clarity. Enjoy.

 

[JP@AK]

perhaps you might add the model number to your post

It would have to be the model NAME, since this revolver is too old to have a model number.

It is a .38/44 Heavy Duty.

 

[S&W ucla]

Nice catch, looks great to me! Any police markings? Did RCMP carry those at one time?

 

[IWK2HT]

Hi thanks for the comments, no police markings but there is holster wear so I'm sure it was a duty gun. I don't think the Mounties carried a HD most of there revolves were longer barrelled but I don't know that for sure.
Ted

 

[Marshal Tom]

Love the 4" HD's. Nice find.

 

[DWalt]

S1545xx (Mid point of S154xxx) is a HD which shipped in 11/56, however I also have several others listed in the S154xxx range which shipped in other months during 1956. And even one which shipped in 1960. Your 1956 guess is probably correct.

 

[IWK2HT]

Thanks for the info DWalt this HD is the only one I've seen so I was very fortunate to owen it. The full ser# is S154566
Ted

 

[Muley Gil]

It would have to be the model NAME, since this revolver is too old to have a model number.

It is a .38/44 Heavy Duty.

Yeah, what Jack said!

 

[DWalt]

One thing to check for is rechambering. It is not unusual to find a HD which has had its chambers lengthened by a former owner to accept .357 Magnum cartridges. Not so great for value, but I personally don't consider it too damaging unless the gun is otherwise in very high condition. One of my HDs has the lengthened chambers (it's actually better than it looks). It handles .357 OK, but I don't often fire them in it. In fact I rarely fire .357 ammo in any of my .357 revolvers. .38 Special is hot enough for me.

 

[kraynky]

Looks great to me Ted! Congratulations on the find! It's in the perfect condition for me, still a great looker, but not too purty to shoot a lot.

 

[IWK2HT]

I was worried about some one doing that, And I didn't know till it was delivered, I check that first and it was as it came from the factory thank god. People are always wanting to do something to there guns. I have plenty of 357s to shoot if I want to. But it would be nice to run across a 520, and it would make a good range mate for the 38/44
Ted

 

[bigmtnman]

I think those post war 38/44's and their look-a-like .44 specials ($$$) are the "coolest" of all S&W revolvers. The less common combination of the fixed sights, ejector shroud, 4" barrel and round front sight on the large N frame just "do it" for me !! I was lucky to pick one up myself recently. It's a 1954 mfg (S106469) with a gorgeous factory re-blue from 1972. The action is smooth as butter. I just happened to have a nice pair of elk stag grips to put on it.

 

[deyomatic]

Has anyone already asked why there's a lanyard loop? I may have missed that. Very nice, either way.

 

[Rbo]

My 38/44 is a bit older, pre-war. I really should get a letter since there is a star in front of the S/N. But they are great guns. Buffalo Bore makes a "+P" round that almost exactly matches the old .38 High Speed specs. (~1300FPS with a 158gr SWC hard cast Keith bullet - shooting from the lip on the specs, that's what I remember).

Great acquisition, congratulations on finding it.

 

[IWK2HT]

About lanyard ring, I too was wondering about that as I don't see one on any other ones. It appears to be factory as it's not through the ser# .

 

[OldChief]

These dates have me confused. I have a 38-44 that I had lettered and the letter said it shipped in 1950, the serial number is S821XX.

 

[bigmtnman]

These dates have me confused. I have a 38-44 that I had lettered and the letter said it shipped in 1950, the serial number is S821XX.

I think you may be looking at your serial # as 821 thousand, it's 82 thousand. That would put it appropriately before my 106 thousand 1954 mfg.