Transition HDs on Parade

[1Aspenhill]

I've been looking at Transition HDs a lot the last few months and decided to post some pics of the ones I have been fortunate to keep. So forgive the group pictures as I was not able to get them all in and in focus. I will start with individual shots first.
S63604 shipped 11 July 1946

S66876 shipped 24 July 1946

S62569 shipped 24 September 1946

S63022 shipped 18 July 1946 (On S62569s box)

S63023 shipped 19 July 1946 (On S62569s box)

S73378 shipped 18 July 1949

Group Shots

If you notice, there is a maroon box on the right for a 5" nickel that I'm looking to fill!
Enjoy,
Bill

 

[Mbrgr1]

So that's where they all are!

 

[SS336]

wow! 5 from 1946, my birthday year.
I didn't know I hated you till today……just kidding…
..maybe.

 

[quinn]

Nice parade! I've only got one transitional, Bill, SN 724xx which shipped April, '49. Didn't get the box, tho.

 

[SAFireman]

Those are some rare dandies Bill!

We missed you at Tulsa this year. Maybe the NC display will be all of the transitional HD's

 

[RKmesa]

Great guns!!!

Thanks for sharing.

 

[StrawHat]

Transitional? Because it was built when the design was changing?

Kevin

 

[1Aspenhill]

Kevin,
Transitional because there are mix of old and new. The hammer and trigger do not have patent markings on the back of them, but they are of the same design as the pre war counterparts. The grips have smaller medallions, but the frame size is basically the same size as the pre war guns. As they produced these, the ejector rod knob went from large to being the same size as the ejector rod (except for the 5" and 6.5" guns which from all the examples I've seen have the Large knob). Went from a one line address to the 4 line address. They went from a maroon box to the gold box, although it seems like this happened to guns closer to 1950. The 38/44 Outdoorsman had the same changes except all of them were built with the large ejector rod knob. I think S&W had the parts and were not going to throw anything away, so used them.
I hope this helps.
Bill

 

[BadAimer]

Very nice collection Bill!

 

[StrawHat]

Kevin,
Transitional because there are mix of old and new. The hammer and trigger do not have patent markings on the back of them, but they are of the same design as the pre war counterparts. The grips have smaller medallions, but the frame size is basically the same size as the pre war guns. As they produced these, the ejector rod knob went from large to being the same size as the ejector rod (except for the 5" and 6.5" guns which from all the examples I've seen have the Large knob). Went from a one line address to the 4 line address. They went from a maroon box to the gold box, although it seems like this happened to guns closer to 1950. The 38/44 Outdoorsman had the same changes except all of them were built with the large ejector rod knob. I think S&W had the parts and were not going to throw anything away, so used them.
I hope this helps.
Bill

Bill,

Thank you for the explanation. Just not familiar with some of the terms and ideas.

I have one HD, a 5" short action from 1950.

Kevin

 

[Ruger 13]

Very nice group!

 

[19leben]

I love the HDs. You have a fantastic collection! I've never seen a 6.5" HD thanks for sharing. And your 4" nickel is incredible!


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[LPD256]

Very nice Bill. I had hoped to meet you in Tulsa but it ended up that I couldn't go either. Hope to see you sometime. Since we both live in Kansas, no need to wait until Charlotte.

Jim

 

[1Aspenhill]

19leben,
There were only 94ea 6.5" transition HDs made and only 7 are known today.
Bill