Need help in identifying a 5 screw large frame 38

[overthehills]

I have what appears to be a 38/44 with the hog trough rear sight (38 Super Police?) in quite good condition....just missing the hammer & mainspring. I am uncertain about the exact I.D. as my S&W reference book (Supica & Nahas) has serial numbers that don't seem to agree with what I have. My serial number is 74,XXX with no "S" letter prefix. Any ideas before I start beating the bushes for a replacement hammer? I just don't see that many 5 screw models & I'm guessing "Grandpa" took the hammer & spring out to keep "Junior" from playing with it. Just guessing. Hope someone can shed some light as this is a nice old piece of S&W history..Thank you & as always - Safe Shooting

 

[Patmcclat]

Post some photos.

 

[Doc44]

Is the serial number taken from the bottom of the grip frame? With that number, it should have an S prefix and would date to the late 40s. It would be a .38/44 Heavy Duty (Pre-Model 20) revolver in any case. Post-war revolver made with post and pre-war parts and the hammer block safety.

Photos would certainly help with the identification.

Bill

 

[DWalt]

The pre-war N-frame revolver SNs stopped in the mid-63xxx range, without a letter prefix. Postwar production SNs picked up there, but with the S-prefix. S74xxx would be from about 1949-50. The SN of yours should be on the butt, inside the extractor rod shroud, and on the rear face of the cylinder. And not in the yoke area. Should be easy to find a replacement spring and hammer.

 

[overthehills]

need help in identifying 5 screw large frame 38

Fellow posters - Thank you for replies. The serial number I listed is indeed the serial number & found on the butt, extractor shroud & rear face of the cylinder and there is no "S" prefix hence the query of the post. This unit does posses a hammer block (it is present). I would post photos but am computer illiterate...just pretty good at fixing things with moving parts. The lack of a "S" prefix seemed odd & perhaps important. Thank you again & as always Safe Shooting

 

[Wiregrassguy]

The missing S is probably just an oversight. Shortly after the war, there were a number of models that occasionally didn't receive the letter stamp IIRC. I'll post the pictures for you if you want to email them to me --> guy at fortvir dot net.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Ok, I have a couple of photos David sent me. Unfortunately, there isn't one of the SN on the butt, but I can see the SN inside the barrel shroud. There appears to be an S prefix before the 5 digit number.

 

[H Richard]

I'd be on Gunbroker looking for a hammer and mainspring about now.

 

[Warren Sear]

Like. Definitely like.

 

[paplinker]

In the 74xxx range can it be said with certainty that is a short action gun?
I do not know the serial number cutoff for N frames.

Reason i ask is what if the pin placement is for a long action set up. OP could buy the wrong parts.

 

[overthehills]

My hat is off to Guy. I stand corrected. I did find the "S" prefix way in front & a little smaller in character size than the S/N itself....didn't really consider it part of he actual serial number..Oops! Been really beating the bushes among my old parts sources & have come up empty. I don't plan on letting this one not get fixed. Other than GB, any other possible sources? Thank you & safe shooting - Dave