Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentBlogFAQNewsAbout Us
Create Account
Login
AuctionsConsignmentBlogFAQNews & EventsAbout Us
Login
Create Account

History Lives Here

Rock Island Auction Company
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
RIAC Rock Island
7819 42nd Street West
Rock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
RIAC Bedford
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, Texas 76021, USA
8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
Navigation
  • Auctions
  • Consignment
  • Blog
  • FAQ
  • News
  • About Us
More Info
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Job Postings & Careers
  • Contact
  • Order a Catalog
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
  • Auction Catalog #87
  • Lot #1528
Lot #1527
Lot #1529

Lot 1528: Austin P.D. Marked Smith & Wesson .38/44 Heavy Duty Revolver

Rare and Desirable Austin Police Department Marked Smith & Wesson .38/44 Heavy Duty Double Action Revolver

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: December 10, 2022

Lot 1528: Austin P.D. Marked Smith & Wesson .38/44 Heavy Duty Revolver

Rare and Desirable Austin Police Department Marked Smith & Wesson .38/44 Heavy Duty Double Action Revolver

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: December 10, 2022

Estimated Price: $1,600 - $2,500
Price Realized:
Login to view
Login to view

Rare and Desirable Austin Police Department Marked Smith & Wesson .38/44 Heavy Duty Double Action Revolver

Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson
Model: 38/44
Type: Revolver
Gauge: 38 Special
Barrel: 4 inch round
Finish: nickel
Grip: walnut
Stock:
Item Views: 1838
Item Interest: Average
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 365
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Description:

Manufactured in 1956. This revolver is one of two hundred forty-nine received by the Austin Police department between 1952 and 1964, with this one being a part of the December 10, 1956 shipment. The revolver features round blade front and frame notch rear sights. Matching serial numbers are found on the butt, cylinder and barrel shroud. A factory rework star is also found inside the barrel shroud, behind the extractor star, and on the left side of the grip frame with rework dates of "10 66" and "12 75" and "R-N" refinish marking. The backstrap is marked "AUSTIN P.D. 141". These .38/44 Heavy Duty revolvers were ordered to replace the aging stock of .38 Military and Police revolvers the department had in stock and would remain in duty until being replaced in 1968 by the Model 27-2. The article "The Austin Police Department .38/44 Heavy Duty" by Bill Patterson states that one of the officers that helped take down Charles Whitman in the University of Texas Tower shooting was armed with one of these .38/44 Heavy Duty Revolvers.

Rating Definition:

Very fine overall as Austin Police Department used, retaining 98% plus factory refinished nickel finish with scattered dings and scratches and a cylinder drag line. Replacement grips are very fine with scattered dings and scratches as well as crisp grip checkering. Mechanically excellent. The opportunity to own one of these rare revolvers are few and far between, this is your chance to add one to your collection.



Customer Product Questions

There are currently no customer product questions on this lot

    Related Items

    Lot #430: Smith & Wesson 38/44 Outdoorsman (Postwar-Transitional) Revolver

    Lot #880: Smith & Wesson .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 Revolver

    Lot #908: Pre-WWII Smith & Wesson 22/32 Heavy Frame Target Revolver

    Lot #1312: Smith & Wesson Model 629-6 50th Anniversary .44 Magnum Revolver

    Lot #734: Smith & Wesson .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 Revolver

    Lot #1303: Smith & Wesson K-38 Target Masterpiece Pre-Model 14 Revolver