Pre War Heavy Duty serial number range?

[lestert357]

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

One thing you can do is watch the high end auction Websites like Rock Island Auctions. They have many high end guns that are often in original boxes so that could give you additional data points for comparison. The SCS&W is a great reference packed with a ton of valuable information. However it is NOT ALWAYS 100% accurate and it gets updated from time to time as new discoveries are made. I'm not saying it's wrong on this issue; I'm just saying it never hurts to make your own analysis.

 

[Muley Gil]

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

Maybe.

Don't forget that 2nd and 3rd Model .44 Specials are also in the same N frame serial number range.

 

[SouthNarc]

One thing you can do is watch the high end auction Websites like Rock Island Auctions. They have many high end guns that are often in original boxes so that could give you additional data points for comparison. The SCS&W is a great reference packed with a ton of valuable information. However it is NOT ALWAYS 100% accurate and it gets updated from time to time as new discoveries are made. I'm not saying it's wrong on this issue; I'm just saying it never hurts to make your own analysis.

Good info sir and thanks for affirming that the SCS&W is not indeed sacrosanct.

 

[SouthNarc]

Maybe.

Don't forget that 2nd and 3rd Model .44 Specials are also in the same N frame serial number range.

Ahhh okay! Well this is complicated isn't it?

 

[paplinker]

It's times like these I miss the old 38-44 data base.
I liked learning about serial number time frames and other info I could research with. I do not recall if original box info was ever recorded.

 

[Jason Burton]

Great looking Heavy Duty pally!

 

[rct269]

The bottom line with all of this is "Don't sweat the small stuff!"

In between the top line and the bottom line are a host of variables that NOBODY can say is right or wrong without definitive proof---and that's not easy to come by. S&W, as is the case with any other commercial entity, did or didn't do whatever was convenient at any given point in time---in this case doing things like using one serial number series for several different models of guns.

Okay, so much for that! As to what, if anything, may be written on the bottom of the box, here's a suggestion that might help you strike pay dirt: Using a STRONG light, coming from one or another of several angles of attack, view the box---also from one or another of several angles. If/when your eyes fail you, use a camera---also from one or another of several angles. (I don't know/understand the reason the camera bit will work when the eyes won't, but it does.)

It should be obvious that all this lighting/viewing from different angles can take A LOT of time. Patience is a virtue---even after you've torn all your hair out.

Ralph Tremaine

A belated addition: It occurs to me these different angles of lighting/viewing which were most productive were in the neighborhood of 45 degrees---+/- up to 10-15.

 

[SouthNarc]

Great looking Heavy Duty pally!

Thank you buddy!

 

[SouthNarc]

Good light and Ren-Wax make for much better photos. This one was obviously a safe queen as there's just a barely perceptible turn line.

 

[boykinlp]

NICE!!!
Larry

 

[1blindref]

Your 38-44 HD is a beautiful example, especially those grips!


I have have serial number 35101 which shipped April 14, 1930. It's shows a bit more wear than yours, but it's my earliest HD.

I don't have the box for that gun, but it would have been a maroon box like this one with my 6.5" 3844 HD

I sure do miss seeing 1aspenhill in threads like this.
RIP Bill

 

[SouthNarc]

Your 38-44 HD is a beautiful example, especially those grips!


I have have serial number 35101 which shipped April 14, 1930. It's shows a bit more wear than yours, but it's my earliest HD.

I don't have the box for that gun, but it would have been a maroon box like this one with my 6.5" 3844 HD

I sure do miss seeing 1aspenhill in threads like this.
RIP Bill

That's a gorgeous example Rick. Interesting that both of ours shipped in April eight days apart, and went to eastern and western PA.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Mine isn't as pretty as that engraved one but it does have special stocks!

.38/44 HD serial 37058 was shipped in January 1931.