calling S&W experts.........

3

38Mike

New member
I picked up a nice 38/44 Heavy Duty on Friday.
Has 4 inch barrel and is nickle plated.
A couple questions; s/n is 636XX with a "S" in front of or behind numbers on 2 locations....can someone give me the birthday of this gun?

Dealer said it was a S frame? Would this be the same as N frame as far as grip dimensions go? Factory grips that came on gun are pretty worn, would like to replace them...

Thanks for your help!!!!

Mike M.
 
There was no "S" frame S&W. It is a N-frame revolver. It is a "S" series revolver meaning it has the new short action which was introduced when they added the "S" to the serial number.
Your revolver was built in 1946 meaning it is an early post war model.
If the stocks on the revolver is numbered to the revolver (look inside the stock panel for a number to match the serial number of the revolver) then hang on to them. They will raise the resale value of the handgun.
 
Majic has it nailed. Sounds like a nice 38/44 right after the war. What type of hammer does it have? Just curious. My lowest serial number N frame is 68xxx so a bit newer then yours.

Are you looking for magna (like original) style stocks or something more modern? I have a set of ivory's for a 38/44 (service style) and a couple of sets of Herrett's Ropers if you are interested. Email me.

Have fun, I have 3 38/44's. A pre-war Heavy Duty from 1930, A post War, 1950 and and Outdoorsman also from 1950.
 
Majic,

Are you sure about the "S" signifying a short action? I thought it just denoted "post-war"?

I just picked up a 38-44 Outdoorsman made in 1947 with an "S" prefix but according to the Blue Book, it is in the serial number range of the long actions. The same Blue Book also shows a Heavy Duty in the serial range of 38Mike's to be a long action as well.
 
The 4" and 5'' barreled guns were introduced with an "S" beginning at #S62940. It incorporated a new slide action hammer lock. A short throw hammer was introduced in 1948 at # S72300.
 
Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the good info, and the good Chuck Taylor article....

Also, thanks for the frame size clarification.....

I'll check grips for the matching numbers.....

Peter, I'm at work now so I don't have gun with me.......hammer is pretty narrow, that's all I can think of..looks like the hammer on your gun ( bottom of photo you posted on S&W forum )

I shot 100 rounds after I picked up gun, it was a blast, I felt like a little kid at Christmas time.........

Once again, I appreciate the help....

Mike
 
Last edited:
The sliding rebound hammer block and the short throw hammer was brought out when S&W went back to civilian production after the war (1946). That was when the "S" was added to the serial number. Of course you will find transitional models as the factory used up it's older stock making the revolvers. So it is possible to find early post war revolvers with the "S" serial number and the old long action as they put the remaining old actions in the new frames.
Instead of using the Blue Book, look in the Standard Catalogue of Smith and Wesson. The book is an excellent resource for Smith and Wesson products.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top