Smith & Wesson .38/44 Heavy Duty 5″ Blue N-Frame Revolver, Pre-War C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,020.00
LSB#: LSB250716SO005
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: .38/44 Heavy Duty (Pre-War)
Serial Number: 58387
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1937–1939, Pre-War Production (C&R)
Caliber: .38 Special (designed for use with .38/44 High Velocity loads)
Action Type: Double Action / Single Action Revolver with Swing-Out Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON.” The right side of the barrel is marked “.38 S.&W. SPECIAL CTG.” The right side of the frame is marked with the four-line Marcas Registradas address. The left sideplate is marked with the S&W monogram logo. The butt of the grip frame is marked with the serial number “58387,” which is repeated on the barrel flat and the rear face of the cylinder. The top of the barrel has patent dates.
Barrel Length: 4″, Pinned
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a forged 1/10” round blade. The rear sight is a square notch cut into the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The revolver is fitted with a pair of checkered walnut Magna stocks with diamond centers and inset Smith & Wesson medallions. The inside panels show stamped stainless steel stock circle inserts, a style introduced around 1970 and used into the early 1990s. These are factory S&W stocks and fit the gun properly, but they are not contemporary to this revolver’s original pre-war production. The checkering remains sharp, and there are only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the stocks rate in Very Good to Fine condition.
Type of Finish: High Polish Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright, the rifling is sharp. There is no visible erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 97% of its original finish. There is light holster wear at the muzzle, light thinning on the leading edges of the cylinder, and only scattered shallow handling marks throughout. The sideplate shows a faint turn of the screw heads consistent with servicing, but they remain serviceable. The hammer and trigger retain strong case coloring. The cylinder has a light, thin turn line. Overall, this revolver rates from Fine to Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly in both single and double action. The timing is proper, the lock-up is solid, and the trigger pull is smooth. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The revolver comes in a green zippered soft case.
Our Assessment:
The Smith & Wesson .38/44 Heavy Duty was introduced in 1930 as the first revolver built specifically to handle the new high-velocity .38 Special loadings, known as the .38/44 High Velocity cartridges. By placing the .38 Special into the large N-frame, Smith & Wesson gave law enforcement a revolver with the strength to handle these hotter rounds at a time when criminal firepower was on the rise. In essence, the Heavy Duty was the working gun companion to the Outdoorsman and a direct predecessor to the legendary .357 Magnum.
This example, serial number 58387, falls into the mid-1930s range and exhibits all the classic pre-war features: high polish blue finish, pinned 4” barrel, shrouded extractor rod, and fixed sights. It retains strong condition overall with a bright bore and crisp mechanics. While the stocks currently fitted are factory S&W Magna stocks from the 1970–1990s period, the revolver itself is a pure pre-war Heavy Duty. Original pre-war stocks can be sourced, but even as it sits, this is a desirable and fully functional revolver from a pivotal moment in S&W development.
For the serious Smith & Wesson collector, the pre-war Heavy Duty is more than just an N-frame in .38 Special. It represents the bridge between the service revolvers of the 1920s and the magnum handguns of the 1930s. With fewer surviving examples in such strong condition, this piece stands out as both a historic collectible and a revolver still capable of delivering the kind of accuracy and reliability that made its name. So bid high and bid firm. I highly encourage you to look at the item’s condition in our high-quality photos. Good luck with your bid.
