Just an FYI, these are what ammo makers in the past said about .38-44 ammo.
Source:
https://cartridgecollectors.org/ammunition-catalogs
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1939 Peters. Ballistics were 158 grain bullets at 1115 fps from 5” and 6” barrels.
Page 32.
Items marked (T) are designed especially for the .38-44 Smith & Wesson Revolver and the .38 Colt Shooting Master. Pressure of these two cartridges is safe for lighter guns, but the recoil is likely to be more unpleasant and the frame may be shaken loose in time.
These two cartridges:
.38 Special Hi-Speed.
.38-44 Special
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1933 Remington Arms
.38/44 Smith & Wesson Special. (page 5)
Ballistics: 158 grain bullet 1125 fps in a 6” barrel. (page
Adapted to new .38-44 Smith & Wesson Special Revolver; also safe to use in Smith & Wesson and Colt Revolvers chambered in the .38 Special cartridge if they are in good condition. In these lighter models the recoil is noticeably heavier. May also be used in the Colt “Shooting Master”.
.38 Colt Special Hi-Speed. (page 5)
Ballistics: 158 grain bullet 1125 fps in a 6” barrel.
Adapted to Colt “Shooting Master” Revolver and other Colt’s and Smith & Wesson revolvers chambered in .38 Special Cartridges, if in good condition. Recoil will be heavier, however, in lighter arms.
On the page for interchangeability of cartridges:
Items marked (T) are designed especially for the .38-44 Smith & Wesson Revolver and the .38 Colt Shooting Master. Pressure of these two cartridges are safe for lighter guns, but the recoil is likely to be more unpleasant and the frame may be shaken loose in time.
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Winchester 1943-1945 Ammunition handbook.
Ballistics: 38-44, 150 grain bullet at 1175 fps from a 5” barrel. Page 63.
Page 68. Lists all the .38 Specials including .38-44 under “Cartridges of different names interchangeable and adapted to the same guns”.
Same description in Winchester - Western catalog of 1960. Page 36.
Ballistics of Super-X 150 grain bullet is 1065 fps from a 5” barrel. Page 34.
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Bottom line: ammo manufacturers at the time thought the pressure of the .38-44 ammo was safe in smaller/lighter framed .38 Special revolvers, the caveat being they were in good condition.