Looking for Some S&W Prewar Heavy Duty Info

[boykinlp]

Please tell me what you think of this Prewar Nickel Heavy Duty. I heard that prewar nickel brings a premium……how much? The downside is that it supposedly has a noticeable bulge in the barrel. Hard for my eyes to see in the pictures, so I need to find out about that. I know that the prewar Magna grips are valuable, but not sure how much. It shipped in December 1936 to Shapleigh Hardware. Here are some pictures:
Larry

 

[mchom]

Wow! Beautiful Nickel pre war heavy duty. I am no authority but normally I would pay a premium (Prob several hundred?) for nickel in that condition. And if those stocks are numbered to gun....better yet.

I think nickel less common and especially in that condition.

I can see the bulge. I am not sure how I would proceed in your shoes. I guess depends on price...

 

[boykinlp]

Wow! Beautiful Nickel pre war heavy duty. I am no authority but normally I would pay a premium (Prob several hundred?) for nickel in that condition. And if those stocks are numbered to gun....better yet.

I think nickel less common and especially in that condition.

I can see the bulge. I am not sure how I would proceed in your shoes. I guess depends on price...

Am I seeing it about where it says “Wesson” on the barrel?

 

[Frieda's Boss]

Am I seeing it about where it says “Wesson” on the barrel?

That's where my eyes see it too. Beautiful gun, shame it has that bulge.

 

[DARE]

SCSW 4th says nickel brings a premium, but does not say how much. I paid $750 for these grips a couple of years ago.

 

[Truckman]

The bulge is there, and the Heavy Duty did not get its name for nothing...I've seen many bulged barrels that did not affect accuracy at all...The gun can take it...The nickel actually makes the bulge easier to find in one photo......Ben

 

[Retired W4]

Some time ago someone put a round behind a stuck squid round. I might still shoot well but it would be a concern.

I always wondered who outbid me on this one. Maybe I should have kept going.

 

[mchom]

Looking from the top view pic

Am I seeing it about where it says “Wesson” on the barrel?

It appears to start at DEC then moves forward

 

[22hipower]

The slight bulge, which I can't see in the pictures, wouldn't bother me from a shooting perspective. The one below from 1938 also has a bulge just behind the front sight and shoots just fine. That nickel really looks good as do the pre-war magnas. I'd sure like to have it. As to value, I paid $650 for the one below a few years ago, I'd pay considerably more for the nickel one. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2nnaH6B https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/