Post war 38/44

[3S16]

I've longed for a 38/44 HD seemingly forever. The pickings are slim to non existent for hand ejectors in California. This a C&R gun and could be bought out of state and shipped to Ca., but the transfer fees and state sales tax are prohibitive - that is, IF you can even find an out of state dealer willing to ship to Ca. (I don't blame them).
So, imagine my joy when one came up for sale on a Ca. gun site! I contacted the seller and a deal was made. He was 2 1/2 hours away, right down through the bowels of L.A.traffic. Didn't care.
We met yesterday for the Private Party Transfer and now it's mine.
There were a couple of bonuses here though: 1) The gun came with the original box and oil paper. 2) The S/N S729XX puts it in the 1949 range- which happens to be my year of birth!
3) I have an 03 FFL and COE, so I didn't have to wait 10 days. Yesterday was a very good day!
Now the hunt is on for period correct paperwork and screwdriver.

 

[quinn]

That is one nice gun... whatever state you are in. A big congrats on that one!

 

[bruce5781]

You did good !

Sent from my SM-G781U1 using Tapatalk

 

[Muley Gil]

I've longed for a 38/44 HD seemingly forever. The pickings are slim to non existent for hand ejectors in California. This a C&R gun and could be bought out of state and shipped to Ca., but the transfer fees and state sales tax are prohibitive - that is, IF you can even find an out of state dealer willing to ship to Ca. (I don't blame them).
So, imagine my joy when one came up for sale on a Ca. gun site! I contacted the seller and a deal was made. He was 2 1/2 hours away, right down through the bowels of L.A.traffic. Didn't care.
We met yesterday for the Private Party Transfer and now it's mine.
There were a couple of bonuses here though: 1) The gun came with the original box and oil paper. 2) The S/N S729XX puts it in the 1949 range- which happens to be my year of birth!
3) I have an 03 FFL and COE, so I didn't have to wait 10 days. Yesterday was a very good day!
Now the hunt is on for period correct paperwork and screwdriver.

Fixed sight revolvers didn't ship with SATs (sight adjustment tools aka a screwdriver).

 

[3S16]

Thank You gentlemen. I'm feeling pretty happy tonight! I may partake in an adult beverage to celebrate!

Ooops! Never even thought about not needing a screw driver - force of habit I guess. Well, now I just have to find the paperwork.

 

[Marshal Tom]

Score! Don't know what you had to give for it but that is just plain nice!

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Purdy! And it has the older style long action. Probably has a slick DA trigger pull.

 

[Gunhohulk]

Very nice find. I was just looking at a similar 4” .38/44 in the S65,XXX S/N range at a local NorCal shop it’s just slightly on the pricier side from what I can tell.

Was that on calguns or is there another CA gun site that I’m unaware of?

And do you mind sharing the price range you found it at? I’m trying to find a better idea of what similar revolvers are going for.

 

[3S16]

Stop the presses! My life just got better! I just received an email from the seller. He found a Roy Jinks letter regarding this gun in his safe. Sent me a text photo, an will send me the original letter.
Usual 38/44 history. Two pages to get to the "Money" last paragraph:

"We have researched your 38/44 heavy duty (fixed sight) model in the company records which indicate that your handgun, with serial number S729XX, was shipped from our factory on April 26, 1949, and delivered to "Baker, Hamilton & Pacific", San Francisco Ca.".

 

[Xfuzz]

That is one slick 38/44...congrats.

 

[Dino44]

I stopped into a LGS today and saw one just about as nice as yours. The only difference being some light bluing lose at the muzzle. It was labeled as 38/44 HD Transitional Serial # S 668xx. Gun only, priced just under $1500.00. Is that a reasonable number?

 

[rct269]

I think only in terms of target guns, and when I saw your heading my brain automatically added "Outdoorsman" to it. Wrong again!!

That said, that's a WOW gun if I ever saw one---and I've seen a bunch! I've had more than a few too, but only one to match yours.

The good news is mine was a Triple Lock that'd been to Mr. King's emporium, and came back as a Super Target.

The bad news is I was smitten----and didn't care how much it cost. The worse news is the Boss Lady wasn't all that much smitten----and started off her inquiry with "HOW MUCH did you say?!!!!"

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Gun Relics]

Stop the presses! My life just got better! I just received an email from the seller. He found a Roy Jinks letter regarding this gun in his safe. Sent me a text photo, an will send me the original letter.
Usual 38/44 history. Two pages to get to the "Money" last paragraph:

"We have researched your 38/44 heavy duty (fixed sight) model in the company records which indicate that your handgun, with serial number S729XX, was shipped from our factory on April 26, 1949, and delivered to "Baker, Hamilton & Pacific", San Francisco Ca.".

It would be kind of fun to look for one of the Baker/Hamilton catalogs around the same time (see picture below of their 1920's catalog, on ebay now but too expensive).

 

[Venom6]

And it's a four-inch! Nice. Will you shoot it?

 

[3S16]

Thank you again gentlemen for all the kind comments. I have a number of other N frames for shooting, so I probably won't shoot this one. The previous owner was an S&W aficionado who obviously cared for, and kept, this gun meticulously cleaned. I already put a coat of Renaissance wax on it. Ultimately, it's destined to be slipped into a Bore Store and a life as a safe queen.

 

[DARE]

It would be kind of fun to look for one of the Baker/Hamilton catalogs around the same time (see picture below of their 1920's catalog, on ebay now but too expensive).

What a good idea! Many of us have been disappointed when our gun shipped to the hardware store when we were hoping for Ed McGivern.
I will try to obtain company catalogs if available for my guns that did not ship to an individual or law enforcement agency.

 

[Truckman]

I will try to obtain company catalogs if available for my guns that did not ship to an individual or law enforcement agency.

I've been doing that for some of my guns although matching the year is a real challenge...Ebay seems to be a fairly good source......Ben

 

[Gun Relics]

What a good idea! Many of us have been disappointed when our gun shipped to the hardware store when we were hoping for Ed McGivern.
I will try to obtain company catalogs if available for my guns that did not ship to an individual or law enforcement agency.

Quite a few were sold from catalogs in those days. I've been on the hunt for catalogs for companies detailed in my historic records.

 

[RM Vivas]

Quite a few were sold from catalogs in those days. I've been on the hunt for catalogs for companies detailed in my historic records.

One of my project goals is to compile a detailed directory of the various arms vendors/distributors in NYC from the civil war to WW2.

Name, address, map location, image of building, company history, that sort of thing. I can find most of the material. Just an issue of time and putting it all together.

Best,
RM Vivas

 

[huthike]

Check Cornell online for catalog reprints, too. Can be cheaper and can just download a pdf.