Pre war 38/44 4”

[mchom]

Here is a long time grail gun. Thanks to my friend flygas !
Very few 4" prewar were made. And this one shipped to Oshman's for the City of Houston TX. Stocks are correctly numbered.
***Not rechambered to .357
Right side added #9

 

[Truckman]

Now I have barrel envy!...My only prewar HD is a blued 5" with all matching numbers...It shipped 6/24/1932 to the Garnett Kansas Police Department...A request to find who it was ordered for was a dead end because the Garnett city hall and all its records was destroyed by fire in the late forties...It was a single gun order through WS Darley & Co. of Chicago so may have been for someone wearing the big hat on the upper floor......Ben

 

[burneyr]

That's a fabulous find mchom - really enjoy all the 38/44 beauty you've posted of late.

 

[Kansasgunner]

Awesome gun with great provenance!

 

[mchom]

Kansas guns are awesome!

Now I have barrel envy!...My only prewar HD is a blued 5" with all matching numbers...It shipped 6/24/1932 to the Garnett Kansas Police Department...A request to find who it was ordered for was a dead end because the Garnett city hall and all its records was destroyed by fire in the late forties...It was a single gun order through WS Darley & Co. of Chicago so may have been for someone wearing the big hat on the upper floor......Ben

Wow!
Fantastic gun Ben

 

[SmithNut]

Here is a long time grail gun. Thanks to my friend flygas !
Very few 4" prewar were made. And this one shipped to Oshman's for the City of Houston TX. Stocks are correctly numbered.

Stunning Mike,

Congrats, that is a fantastic revolver, I've never seen a 4" (actually didn't know they existed...)

Just WOW!!

 

[Keith Brown]

That's a beauty, I have a few five in prewar HDs but doubt I'll ever come across a four inch. Nice stocks also !

 

[T44spl]

Shades of Indiana Jones! That's one gorgeous gun, can we see a right side image whenever you get the opportunity? Thanks for sharing with us.

 

[mchom]

Here is left side

Bit of wear below cylinder

 

[SSGRock]

Pre war 38/44 4"

Congratulations on your find. I have a post war 4" 1949 s/n S 74355. Never was rechambered to .357 Magnum. Looks Great and Shoots Great.

 

[mchom]

Right side added

 

[paplinker]

Bit of wear below cylinder

I wonder what causes the mark below the cylinder on the frame.

I own/have owned a few guns with the same mark.

 

[Marshal Tom]

Ben, I have a 5" shipped February 12, 1937 to the Chief of Police OV Kelby, Iola KS. I purchased it from an old guy in Grand Junction several years ago. He was the editor of the local paper in Iola and purchased it from the second Chief to own it.

 

[Truckman]

Ben, I have a 5" shipped February 12, 1937 to the Chief of Police OV Kelby, Iola KS. I purchased it from an old guy in Grand Junction several years ago. He was the editor of the local paper in Iola and purchased it from the second Chief to own it.

Sounds like it was a popular choice for Kansas LEO's...With mine I also have a letter on the Garnett PD letterhead from the DPS Director (along with his business card) stating a search was made in records for the original purchaser which is also how I found out about the city hall fire...The Director mentioned in the letter that he is also a firearm and police memorabilia collector, and understands the historical value of such items......Ben

 

[MHF]

Great looking pistol.
I have A 38/44 prewar with a couple differences I'd like for the experts opinion on.
Mine has the small emblem on the left side and a rectangular notch in the barrel where the extractor rod fits. Mine has a 41xxx serial number and I assume earlier ship date.

 

[Vtgw938]

This thread makes me appreciate my pre-war four inch HD even more, even thought it does not have the original stocks and has been reamed out to 357. I don't mind the fact it can take magnums but the stocks are a huge deal. Great that it is all intact.

I do need to letter mine.

 

[mchom]

Very cool!!!

I looked for a decade and if I recall only saw one PW 4" but I could not afford at the time. These are rare guns. And to me they are desirable Modified or not. Many of my HDs are bored to 357 and I personally don't value them less. Of my 5 pre-war HDs four letter to an LE. I really value the history and not necessarily it's condition per se. After all they were tools and sometimes used hard. But I know I am not alone in this sentiment.


It would be very interesting to see where yours went to. Please post a pic when you have time.

This thread makes me appreciate my pre-war four inch HD even more, even thought it does not have the original stocks and has been reamed out to 357. I don't mind the fact it can take magnums but the stocks are a huge deal. Great that it is all intact.

I do need to letter mine.

 

[mchom]

Thanks....And very Nice Outdoorsman

I am no authority so I don't know exact dates.
I have 40577 that has the small logo on left. But I have not lettered it. But my next OD sequentially is is 58055 and by then the logo was moved to the right side. Of course I have learned here that S&W did not necessarily ship in order of serial number.

I do have an HD with small logo on left serial 49873 that shipped on 11/30/36 FWIW

Great looking pistol.
I have A 38/44 prewar with a couple differences I'd like for the experts opinion on.
Mine has the small emblem on the left side and a rectangular notch in the barrel where the extractor rod fits. Mine has a 41xxx serial number and I assume earlier ship date.

 

[Vtgw938]

OP:

Here is my lone HD. 61846, shipped November of 1940.

 

[mchom]

Fantastic. I went years not seeing so much as one. Thx for sharing .