Value of S&W 38-44 HD?

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Joe_Pike

New member
I'm thinking (just thinking right now) about selling my 1937 S&W 38-44 HD. I don't shoot it and I have really got it in my mind that I want to pay off my house as quick as I can, so, I could use the proceeds to put towards the principle.

The gun itself is, I would say, in at least 95% condition. It has the pre-War Magna grips and all numbers match, including the grips. This is the only one in my area that I have seen, so, looking for a current value locally is out of the question. I know I could check GB, but sometimes I wonder about auction sites when it comes to real world values of certain items. So, I'm curious if anyone has any thoughts on what these might be going for.
 
F

FlyFish

New member
95% condition equates to "Excellent" in SCSW. A pre-war .38/44 HD in excellent condition is listed at $750 in the book, but prices have climbed considerably in the 5 years since the book was published. Assuming excellent or better, I'd say you're easily in the $1000 neighborhood, perhaps more if you hold out for the right buyer.
 
C

carguychris

New member
+2, I would say $700-$1200 depending on options; if it has blued finish and the standard 5" barrel, value will be towards the low end of the range, while nickel finish and the relatively uncommon 4" or 6-1/2" barrel will push it towards the high end. FlyFish is right, these guns seem to be pretty hot with collectors right now, particularly in high condition.
 
M

mes227

New member
There are several on GunBroker right now, with "buy it now" prices in the $600+/- range for average condition revolvers. The condition of yours is going to make a lot of difference (any chance you can post pix? Some of us would love to see it!) and at a true 95% I'd say the price would easily be over $1,000 if you're not in a hurry. Also if you have the original box or any documentation, that adds a little to the price.
 
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Peter M. Eick

New member
600 to 1000 unless it is an odd barrel length.

3_barrel_lengths.jpg


Here are the 3 main barrel lengths in the pre-war 38/44 HDS.

Supposedly there were about 100 4" made (I have 2 now).
Supposedly there were about 28 6.5" made (I have two of those also).
There were about 11,000 give or take 5" made (I have around 20 of them).

I am a 38/44 collector. If you want to shoot me an email with a picture I can give you a better estimate or if you are interested we can talk.
 
J

Joe_Pike

New member
It's a 5" barrel. I'll have to retrieve it and take some photos. I have several of my more prized firearms locked up in a more secure location.
 
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