Precursor to the .357 Magnum.
Actually a .38 Special originally loaded with a 158 gr. bullet at just under 1200 FPS. Considering the garden variety .38 Special of the day was a 158 @ 750 FPS, this was a considerable leap forward.
It was chambered in S&W’s “N” frame revolvers, first appearing ca. 1930.
With the introduction of the .357 I suppose interest waned pretty quickly in the .38/44.
I located this survivor a few years back and do shoot it on occasion.
That, sir, is a fighting gun. With a good combat rig, the fine old Threepersons. I’m of a mind to get one made for my EDC 32-20.
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Certainly agree.
The gun and rig remind me of something “Lone Wolf” Gonzualles might have carried.
A simpler time perhaps; few shades of grey then, things were black or white.
Sublime !
That’s beautiful! Thanks for the history lesson.
It has been fairly common over the years for people to ream the chambers to .357 MAG length. While I can see the practicality (I am not an fanatic about collectability), I would never do that to a 38/44.
I love the pistol and the stocks.
Chubbs
How does the retention strap work? Never seen a holster that just captures the hammer spur…
The “thong over hammer spur” is a throwback to the cowboy days (as is the Threepersons holster design).
It is s-l-o-w to remove, but does help keep the piece in the holster if you’re running/climbing over fences, etc.
That is gorgeous. That rig is good enough to ride the river with.
I’ve always been a sucker for N frame Smiths to begin with (especially fixed sight variants). I think part of what makes your 38/44 HD so appealing to me, is that its design seems so pragmatic and purpose driven.
Chubbs
Just fantastic, and the leather is the proper choice.
I’ve always thought that the fixed-sight N-frames were beautiful, in an understated kind of way.
Congrats on the great find; both the h/w (gun) and s/w (leather).
-Rainman
Damn that’s sweet as hell.
The “fast draw” was a Hollywood invention. Most gunfighters and lawmen in the old West would have their shooting irons out and ready if they thought they had to use them.
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Absolutely perfect!
If I were limited to only one handgun, a 4" .38/44 Heavy Duty would be it!
That is one beautiful handgun! I really like the Tyler T-grip as well.
I recall seeing boxes of .38-44 ammo on a gun store shelf many decades ago…but not knowing what I didn’t know I didn’t even consider looking around for a proper revolver for it… much to my chagrin.
Thanks for sharing the pics and info.
That’s a very nice 38/44. I have a 5" post-war 38/44 and its great fun to shoot with 173gr Keith bullets over Power Pistol powder in Starline 38spl +P cases. The fixed-sight N-frame Smith’s are under appreciated gems, in my opinion. Here’s a picture of my somewhat hard-to-find S&W Model 1950, 5" 45 ACP. The commercial variant of the M1917 S&W. It’s a great shooter with my standard 45 ACP handload of a 200gr LSWC over Bullseye.
