SMITH & WESSON THE .38/44 HEAVY DUTY (PRE-WAR) Description
.38 S&W Special or .38/44 S&W Special cal., double action revolver built on the larger square butt N 5 screw frame, 6 shot, 5 in. round pinned barrel w/limited production of 4 or 6 1/2 in. barrels, blue or nickel finish. Guns mfg. 1930-1935 shipped in maroon boxes, guns mfg. 1935-1940 shipped in Blue Picture Boxes. 41 oz., 11,111 mfg. April 1930-1941.
12 are documented to be chambered in .45 Colt, some of which were shipped in 1937, 1938, and 1939 to law enforcement.
Originally intended for a high powered .38 Special round, at times called the .38 Super Police (predecessor of the .357 Magnum). Serial number range 35037 to 62335 in the .44 Hand Ejector 3rd Model series.