S & W md20 or 38/44 ???

[RedRabbit]

I'M trying to find out just what I have ? Its a N-frame,6shot,swing out cyl. It has no model number.Serial number is either 42693 or 66603. barrell is 5".Patent #"s feb 6-06,sept 14-09 and dec 29-14. it has fixed sights. Smith insigna on the left side above grips. The 42693 is between the grips.Marked 38 S&W special on side of barrell. Trying to find history and value.Thanks

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Sounds like a 38/44 Heavy Duty or as it is sometimes called the "pre-model 20".

If it 42693 then it is a prewar gun, in decent shape say 500 to 750. Really nice ones can easily push a grand.

66603 puts it as a post-war transition gun. In nice shape say 750 to 1000. Really nice can push a couple of grand.

Add about 250 to 500 for the original box and paperwork.

Add another hundred if the grips match the guns serial number.

Deduct about $200 for a refinish and classify the gun as so so for pricing.

These are sort of my rules of thumb on 38/44's and I collect them.

Go to www.38-44heavyduty.com for a history and pictures of "NICE!" guns.

 

[CSA 357]

So wheres the pics? I would like to see this one, i love old smiths!

 

[Oro]

If it 42693 then it is a prewar gun

Yep, Peter, he said those were the numbers between the grips, so that's what it is. Peter has given good information. That would place it made in 1933. To even guess at value accurately would require several very large and detailed photographs from multiple angles.

Nice gun to have, btw.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

It probably looks like one of these. They are all 38/44 Heavy Duties and Outdoorsman's.

My guess would be it is like the one at 2 oclock or 3 oclock.

Does that help for pictures?

 

[Phydeaux642]

Do the Magna grips bring a premium? In the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson I noticed that they bring a pretty hefty price on their own. I picked up a 38-44 HD last year with all matching numbers and Magna grips that match.

 

[SaxonPig]

Depends on the age. Magnas made for the pre-war N frame will sell for $600+ if offered. The post-war Magnas sell for $100-$150.

These are pre-war.



These are post-war (1954):

 

[Peter M. Eick]

For those of us who just routinely buy them, they can bring a big sum. I buy most every pair I can get and just add them to the "wood pile" to quote a famous collector. Pre-war are more expensive and harder to come by the post-war.

Also they are hard to shoot well. It took me several years to get reasonable at it.

 

[Phydeaux642]

The one I picked up last year is a 1937 model. They shop had it marked as a pre-model 10 M&P, model of 1905. Needless to say, they were way wrong.

 

[AlPackin]

dang Mr Eick that be some stash ya got there

 

[Oro]

The one I picked up last year is a 1937 model. They shop had it marked as a pre-model 10 M&P, model of 1905.

I remember that post very well. I actually went to get a drink from the cabinet to calm my shock. That was indeed the "deal of the year" of any that I have heard about.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Al Packin,

That picture is about 5 to 8 38/44 out of date (I hate to say I lost track but I did). One of these days I will get out the camera and update it.

 

[AlPackin]

very cool Mr Eick, you must have the market cornered or close to it

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Not even close. I am a true novice compared to real collectors.

One guy that I see posting often has that many 38/44 Outdoorsman Transition guns. He puts me to shame as a dabbler.

 

[AlPackin]

yeah. I saw a picture once of some rich guys Model 10's, row's and row's of them in a case, musta been at least 1 or 2 hundred, just his 10's

 

[Radagast]

I prefer to think of such people as successful or very focused, rather than 'rich'. There are plenty of rich people, there are only a few with hundreds of S&Ws. I'd like to be both, but if I had to toss up between the two it would be hard.