Pre War Heavy Duty serial number range?

[SouthNarc]

Good morning brain trust.

Would someone happen to know the serial number range of the 38/44 Heavy Duty? I have a 5" gun in great condition with the box, helpful hints brochure, cleaning brush, and a letter from Dr. Jinks that states it was shipped in April of 1930. Serial number is 35227.

I'm curious if my revolver is maybe one of the first few hundred made.

Thanks for the help.

 

[22hipower]

According to the Standard Catalog the range is 35,037 to 62,335. You do have an early one, we'd love to see pictures, including the box, which should be the maroon one according to the SC.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[SouthNarc]

According to the Standard Catalog the range is 35,037 to 62,335. You do have an early one, we'd love to see pictures, including the box, which should be the maroon one according to the SC.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Oh wow my box is blue.

 

[SouthNarc]

Here’s the box, brush and brochure.

 

[22hipower]

Oh wow my box is blue.

The Standard Catalog says the maroon box was used between 1930 and 1935 with the blue picture box being used between 1935 and 1940. I think the blue box for OD/HDs might have been available a little before 1935 but not 1930. I've seen maroon boxes for post war HDs too although I don't know if they're the same as used in 1930. A post war HD sold with a maroon box at the last RIA auction so maybe compare it to yours. One of our "box guys" will probably be along to clarify what box was used when. Love to see pictures.

Smith & Wesson .38/44 Heavy Duty Model of 1950 Revolver | Rock Island Auction

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[22hipower]

Here’s the box, brush and brochure.9

Just saw your pictures of the box, pre-war HD for sure but I don't think S&W had them in 1930. Is there an SN in grease pencil on the bottom. . .or elsewhere?

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[SouthNarc]

The letter. Actually reading the first page it clearly states the first serial number was 35,037 so I guess I shouldn’t skip pages.

I guess this makes mine number 190

 

[SouthNarc]

Just saw your pictures of the box, pre-war HD for sure but I don't think S&W had them in 1930. Is there an SN in grease pencil on the bottom. . .or elsewhere?

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Jeff I’ve looked really hard under a fairly high powered flashlight and I cannot find one.

 

[spin132]

Nice box and interesting letter Craig, now how about a pic or 2 of that early HD!

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

 

[SouthNarc]

Nice box and interesting letter Craig, now how about a pic or 2 of that early HD!

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

Yea sir and thank you!

 

[SouthNarc]

The service grips are in excellent shape.

 

[SouthNarc]

Serial number from the butt.

 

[Truckman]

That is an exceptional find...My jealousy scale is approaching redline......Ben

 

[lestert357]

Here’s the box, brush and brochure.

That is the earliest style blue picture box showing the HD with service style grips; I wouldn’t totally discount it as not original to your gun without further research…..

 

[SouthNarc]

That is the earliest style blue picture box showing the HD with service style grips; I wouldn’t totally discount it as not original to your gun without further research…..

Thank you sir.

I'm not sure where to start trying to look without having a serial number on the box?

 

[22hipower]

Thank you sir.

I'm not sure where to start trying to look without having a serial number on the box?

Here's a recent thread on the question, it may help a little. It suggests your gun predates the blue picture box (1933).

Registered Magnum vs .38/44 Heavy Duty blue picture boxes

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[SouthNarc]

Here's a recent thread on the question, it may help a little. It suggests your gun predates the blue picture box (1933).

Registered Magnum vs .38/44 Heavy Duty blue picture boxes

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Jeff thank you again sir that thread is super helpful. It looks from reading that thread that the OP has the same quandary as I do and also I noted a forum member saying they had a 1933 HD with a blue picture box that had the gun’s serial number on it.

So there’s a fairly high chance that my box is original to the gun.

 

[22hipower]

So there’s a fairly high chance that my box is original to the gun.

Only if you discount DARE's comment that the picture box started in 1933.

It's a nice old HD with a nice old box. If it's not THE box does that really matter? Wouldn't make much difference to me, enjoy them both.

Here's one of my pre-war HDs. It has no box at all, I like it anyway.

Jeff
SWCa #1457

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

 

[SouthNarc]

Only if you discount DARE's comment that the picture box started in 1933.

It's a nice old HD with a nice old box. If it's not THE box does that really matter? Wouldn't make much difference to me, enjoy them both.

Here's one of my pre-war HDs. It has no box at all, I like it anyway.

Jeff
SWCa #1457

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

Bravo sir that is stunning.

 

[SouthNarc]

Only if you discount DARE's comment that the picture box started in 1933.

It's a nice old HD with a nice old box. If it's not THE box does that really matter? Wouldn't make much difference to me, enjoy them both.

Here's one of my pre-war HDs. It has no box at all, I like it anyway.

Jeff
SWCa #1457

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

And on that note I absolutely do not obsess over this kind of stuff. I enjoy these old guns just like I enjoy old watches and really don’t care about what I spend or its resale value.

On that note like the OP of that linked thread my box interior is also in English and Spanish.