The Smith & Wesson .38/44 is a series of large N-frame revolvers, beginning with the Heavy Duty model in 1930 and the Outdoorsman in 1931, built to fire .38 Special ammunition loaded to higher pressure than standard for greater penetration. They were developed for police use during Prohibition-era conflicts with criminals driving steel-bodied automobiles, and served as a transitional step between the .38 Special and the later .357 Magnum.
Facts
Weapon Class Introduced Year Caliber Class Classification
Service Status Weapon Class
Weapon Class (category) In the Other Atlases
Manufactured By
Also in Business Atlas: the manufacturer of this subject.
Source Wikidata: Smith & Wesson .38/44
Originated In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.
Source Wikipedia: Smith & Wesson .38/44Infobox: originQuote, Infobox: origin
United States
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Smith & Wesson .38/44
Article body
Revolvers were manufactured from 1930 to 1941, and after World War II from 1946 to 1966 until competitively priced .357 Magnum revolvers became widely available.
Infobox: type
Revolver
Infobox: cartridge
.38 Special
Article text
In response, Smith & Wesson introduced the large frame .38/44 Heavy Duty in 1930.
Lead section
Smith & Wesson .38/44 identifies a series of 6-round cylinder, double-action, Smith & Wesson N-frame revolvers chambered for the .38 Special cartridge loaded to higher pressures than were considered appropriate for earlier revolvers chambered for that cartridge.
View the SourceWikidata: Smith & Wesson .38/44
Wikidata Q15991121, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.