Won GB Auction: S&W Post War 38/44 heavy Duty 5"

[ultramag44]

I missed an HD in the LGS last week, but I did not let this one get by me! I had run the auction cycle history on this gun. It had ran several X w/ no bidders. There was one bidder this week for the opening bid. I figured he was just going to put in the opening bid and see what happened. I waited until the last 2 minutes and put in a "Take No Prisoners Bid" It only went from $495.00 opening bid to $511.00 bid I won with. As I though, the first bidder wasn't too serious. If I want, there is a local guy here that does nice re-blueing.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=382328310

It looks to have been carried often, shot little. I will pull the grips to check if the grip #'s match the frame and to look for rust under the grips. There is no rush to decide on re-blueing. At first, I'm just gonna enjoy shooting this classic wheelgun.

The only Boolits to grace this revolver will be my own cast lead alloy semi-wadcutters.

Also, the gun was born in either 1955 or 1956. I was born in 1955. As it's almost Christmas AND my birthday is the 28th of December, this is my gift to myself.
__________________

 

[Radagast]

One that Peter M. Eick didn't get!

Congrats on a good find. You have to be logged into Gunbroker to see the pics, so remember to posts some of your own when it arrives.

 

[StrawHat]

The Lyman 358429 and 358439 molds were made for that revolver.

 

[JT-AR-MG42]

Looks like a fine shooter!

Some might say that is a lot to pay for a blue worn handgun.

My take is like yours; there is not a DA revolver made today (under Korth prices) that come close to it in fit or finish.

That gun was made back when quality was the standard, not the exception.
Smith & Wesson had guns sent to them for re-finish instead of for warranty work.

It just did not occur to S&W (or Colt) to make anything but the best product they could.

I have dealt with that seller before and found them to be stand up folks.

JT

 

[ultramag44]

Thanks guys!

Yes, I'll post pics once it arrives. Also will check trigger pull weight and see if grip #'s match the frame #.

It will see lots of mid-range loads with Herco powder and my cast semi-wad cutter boolits.

 

[Old Fuff]

On more then one occasion I have won an auction because the previous high bidder wasn't still online when the bidding ended. However be careful you don't get carried away. Enter a bid that is just above the top one, and if the other bidder comes back and tops your bit, STOP! There will always be another opportunity.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Nice gun! I had that one on my watch list for its last few cycles.

 

[788Ham]

Congrats ! I picked up one in a pawn a couple years ago, born in '31. Really a nice shooter, handles the mild .38 loads I shoot, 4.0 gr. Win 231 and 158 gr SWC, barely any recoil. Myself, I wouldn't worry about getting any re-bluing done, if its worn, its earned it. YMMV

 

[ultramag44]

.455 Hunter,

Thanks for not bidding on it! Other posters have vouched for the seller. I feel good about this buy.

BTW, I like your Clint Eastwood quote from "Sudden Impact".

 

[.455_Hunter]

Enjoy your HD!

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I never even saw it so you got a good deal. I normally patrol for HD's on gunbroker and look for good buys but with the season I was missing them.

Enjoy the HD. They are fun!