Does this look like a rare gun?
It is.
This is a Smith & Wesson 38/44 "Heavy Duty" revolver with a 4" barrel. The HD was a .38 Special built on the large N frame (.44 caliber size in factory terms thus the 38/44 designation) designed to use a special high-speed load called the Super Police (among other names). This load launched a 158 grain lead bullet at 1,140 FPS. This gun was shipped August 8, 1940 to the Ft. Smith, AR Police Department.
So what makes this particular example rare? The 4" barrel. The standard barrel length on the pre-war guns was 5". A serious collector has stated that no more than 100 4" guns were made and likely the number was less. He has documented 37 such guns to date.
Make that 38. I bought this one today at a local show.
Unfortunately, it's a mess and has no real collector value any longer. It was originally blued but is now poorly nickel plated, has had the tip of the hammer bobbed (too bad because it's the rare "Hump Back Hammer" option) and wears the wrong stocks (post 1970 versions).
I paid "shooter" price for it and it's still a neat gun but it is a shame that something so uncommon is in such a poor state. Oh well. I guess that's what makes the better ones worth so much. [:D]
This is a Smith & Wesson 38/44 "Heavy Duty" revolver with a 4" barrel. The HD was a .38 Special built on the large N frame (.44 caliber size in factory terms thus the 38/44 designation) designed to use a special high-speed load called the Super Police (among other names). This load launched a 158 grain lead bullet at 1,140 FPS. This gun was shipped August 8, 1940 to the Ft. Smith, AR Police Department.
So what makes this particular example rare? The 4" barrel. The standard barrel length on the pre-war guns was 5". A serious collector has stated that no more than 100 4" guns were made and likely the number was less. He has documented 37 such guns to date.
Make that 38. I bought this one today at a local show.
Unfortunately, it's a mess and has no real collector value any longer. It was originally blued but is now poorly nickel plated, has had the tip of the hammer bobbed (too bad because it's the rare "Hump Back Hammer" option) and wears the wrong stocks (post 1970 versions).
I paid "shooter" price for it and it's still a neat gun but it is a shame that something so uncommon is in such a poor state. Oh well. I guess that's what makes the better ones worth so much. [:D]
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damn shame
that was ed mcgivens choice gun to make many world record speed shooting records that held from the 30's until Miculek broke them a few years ago, mcgiven even invented a timer that attached to the gun itself0 -
Definately one of a kind...
I bet there aren't ANY other gun out there, with that exact make, model and serialnumber.0 -
My FIL has one that is in great shape. I hope my wife inherits it.
He won it in a poker game many years ago and I get to hold it when we visit. I will shoot it someday.
Collectors be dammed![;)]0 -
I believe I would strip the nickel, replace the hammer, send it back to S&W for a factory reblue and replace the grips with the right ones.
It deserves the best treatment you can give it.0 -
I had no idea the 4" was rare. A long time ago, a co-worker bought a well-worn one for a holster gun. He called it his boat anchor.
Like yours, his was a non-factory nickel and it was butt-ugly.0 -
Happy, yeah, that serial number sort of makes it one of a kind don't it!!! Tom 0 -
Saxon, why in the world did they not make it the 357/44?? Seems like they could have almost doubled the types/kinds of ammo it would handle. Tom 0 -
SN- That's a Colt Detective Special. Not really similar.
nunn- Well, I wasn't really thinking it was all that ugly, just not original any longer.
DH- It may deserve the best but I can't afford the best. It would cost $300+ to refinish (the + is whatever extra they charge to remove the nickel) and replacement hammers for pre-war N frames can't be found for love or money.
I am sort of running a sanctuary for unloved S&Ws. I have a number of guns like this one; rare and valuable except for being butchered up.0 -
Is that hammer factory bobbed? 0 -
No, it was trimmed maybe 1/4" or so after it left Springfield. Either someone wanted it shorter or it got dropped and the dinged part was ground off. Nice job but still bobbed.
That hammer might be from a Registered Magnum. Has the grooves on the sides and the HDs didn't have that feature. If it weren't modified the hammer would be worth more than I paid for the gun. RM hammers can't be bought for love or money (and I should know as I have an RM with an incorrect hammer).
Has a factory rework mark dated 1958. Was likely returned for rebluing and then sometime later a crappy nickel plate was done on it.0 -
shoot it / sell it. 0 -
Never seen one, but me likey! 0
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