Letter Submitted: My New Heavy Duty .38/44

[MSD2343]

Based on some of the feedback below on this revolver, I decided it was worth the $100 plunge to have it lettered. Will provide an update when received.

******************************

After years of looking and almost pulling the trigger a few times, I finally am the new owner of a postwar Heavy Duty, serial number S 752XX. Appreciate any insights on approximate year of manufacture.

Except for some bluing wear at the muzzle and a few dings in the stocks, she’s what I would describe as in very good shooter grade condtion. Shows only very minimal signs of being fired, locks up very tight, and chambers have not been reamed for .357.

Very happy to add this to my small collection, being my third N frame and only my fifth Smith revolver overall.

 

[SuperMan]

Beautiful...it looks like it was carried some and not shot much at all...

I have a 1952 4" and it shoots great...

You can get "real" .38-44 ammo from Lost River Ammo...

.38 Special +P 158 grain Poly-Coated Lead Semi Wadcutter. (100 RND)

Bob

 

[demkofour]

Absolute congratulations! What a cool gun. Seriously, one of Smith & Wessons best N Frames.
I was lucky enough to receive one as a gift from my wife and daughter- a 1954 birth year gun.

Not sure I deserved this…

 

[Gun Relics]

It's a good pick up, should be first year of the "pre-model 20" Heavy Duty Model of 1950. Should be made in 1950. I only have one, a transitional 72,2xx that shipped in 1948.

 

[quinn]

That looks like a long action hammer to me... is this a transitional? Great gun.

 

[Gun Relics]

That looks like a long action hammer to me... is this a transitional? Great gun.

I think his gun was among the last of the long throws. The Standard Catalog shows short action started around 75,514.

Of course, I have all this memorized so I might be off by a digit or two

 

[paplinker]

Very nice pickup.
I didn't realize transition guns numbered that high!

Most I see in the high range have been roughly S 72XXX

 

[Gun Relics]

Here's a scan of a 1950 circular. This picture looks like a 5 inch where the OP is 4 inch.

 

[jsfricks]

search engine optimization expert in Sri Lanka

Has been reported.

 

[YouveHadYour6]

Beautiful addition - would love to add one of these someday.

 

[Dio]

Great pistols!

 

[MSD2343]

Here's a scan of a 1950 circular. This picture looks like a 5 inch where the OP is 4 inch.

Oh wow, that circular is so cool! Thanks for posting that. And thanks to everyone for your positive feedback. Too bad I wasn’t able to get it for the advertised November 1950 price.

 

[wbraswell]

It looks like a transitional to me. Mine is like yours, with the long action and 4 line address and S serial #. Mine is S738xx and it shipped Nov. 1949.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

To count a post war transitional 4 inch HD as your 3rd N frame and 5th overall S&W revolver… you’re doing good!