What exactly do I have?

[69camfrk]

I picked this up from a neighbor, and obviously it is an older .38. I've been searching for info, well aside from calling S&W. Not sure if the nickel plating is original, nor the gold plated parts. Action is as smooth as any revolver I've ever handled. Since there is no model number, I figured this would be the best place to look. Thanks

 

[410bore]

you have a pre war 38/44 Heavy Duty that someone chose to add "bling" to.

 

[P&R Fan]

You have a .38/44 Heavy Duty. This was a souped up .38 Special, kinda like todays +P. Can't tell if the nickle is original but gold plating is not. Tell us the serial number, including a letter, from the bottom of the butt and we can tell you when it was made.
These are very collectable, but please, shoot it!
Jim

 

[69camfrk]

You have a .38/44 Heavy Duty. This was a souped up .38 Special, kinda like todays +P. Can't tell if the nickle is original but gold plating is not. Tell us the serial number, including a letter, from the bottom of the butt and we can tell you when it was made.
These are very collectable, but please, shoot it!
Jim

Without a doubt I will shoot it! Serial is 476XX

 

[murphydog]

Very nice! The SN puts it as a 1936 gun, but it may have left the factory well after this due to the Great Depression. Enjoy!

 

[69camfrk]

Very nice! The SN puts it as a 1936 gun, but it may have left the factory well after this due to the Great Depression. Enjoy!

I figured for $200 I couldn't pass it up. No clue what it is really worth, but I've looked up the low and high end of the prices. When it comes to guns, I'm like a chick in a shoe store. My neighbor was going to take it to a gun show, but showed it to me, and I was like, no need going, I'll take it!!!!! I know the finish and gold plated stuff will diminish the value some, but overall, it is in very nice shape. The action is super smooth.

 

[jmace57]

I wouldn't have passed it up for $400. You did extremely well!

 

[Absalom]

You have a .38/44 Heavy Duty. This was a souped up .38 Special, kinda like todays +P. Can't tell if the nickle is original but gold plating is not.

I think the nickel is also a refinish, just looking at the soft washed-out lines of the S&W logo. Probably happened at the same time as the gold-plating.

 

[Hondo44]

If there's a 'B' preceding the serial number in the shroud under the barrel, it left the factory as a blue gun.

 

[69camfrk]

If there's a 'B' preceding the serial number in the shroud under the barrel, it left the factory as a blue gun.

Haven't found a "B" anywhere. Without doubt it has been replated, but it doesn't take away from the uniqeness of the gun. Too bad it cant' talk. Everything on Gunbroker is like over $1000.

 

[DWalt]

Haven't found a "B" anywhere. Without doubt it has been replated, but it doesn't take away from the uniqeness of the gun. Too bad it cant' talk. Everything on Gunbroker is like over $1000.

That would be for a HD in original condition, as it left the factory.

 

[glowe]

That would be for a HD in original condition, as it left the factory.

. . . or those many GB sellers who advertise "original" finish guns that are obviously re-done.

69camfrk, remember to look at items that actually have sold on GB when trying to determine values. Anyone can put a price on a gun, but many never sell and are simply re-listed over and over again.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Nice HD! Check to see if the cylinder chambers have been reamed for .357. If the .357 cartridge will seat, they have.

 

[DWalt]

Nice HD! Check to see if the cylinder chambers have been reamed for .357. If the .357 cartridge will seat, they have.

Indeed, descriptions provided on auction site listings cannot be accepted as the gospel truth. That is why I have never bought anything from Gunbroker, etc. I recently bought an early 1950s .38/44 HD which had its chambers lengthened to accept .357 cartridges. However, I was aware of that fact prior to purchase, and the price was right. For a shooter-grade HD, I do not consider it to be a serious fault, and it shoots .38 Special rounds as well as it ever did. I put about 300 rounds of .38 Special through my .357 HD last weekend with no problems.

I have wondered why S&W, especially in the postwar years, did not offer the HD chambered in .357 as a lower-priced fixed-sight alternative to the .357 Magnum, and directed toward the LE market. I would have expected it to have sold very well.

 

[Hondo44]

Haven't found a "B" anywhere. Without doubt it has been replated, but it doesn't take away from the uniqeness of the gun. Too bad it cant' talk. Everything on Gunbroker is like over $1000.

If there is no B and no N, it was originally blued.