I have two revolvers in my collection that really serve no useful purpose other than periodically providing a few moments of pleasant reflection. Made in the time I call the Golden Age of the revolver — basically, the first half of the 20th Century — the two guns are from the two great American revolver makers, Colt and Smith & Wesson.

They are both big guns, plain of finish and simply equipped, but the heaviest and best that the industry could offer the working cop in the ’30s. The Smith was called a .38-44 Heavy Duty and was built on the same big N-frame as the 1917 S&W .45 revolver. Its competitor, known as the Colt New Service, was likewise made on a frame that Colt used for World War I .45 ACPs.

Both guns were chambered for the .38 Special cartridge. A special high-velocity version of the old .38 round was developed for use in these guns. It was called the .38-44. Today, such a round would probably be called the .38 Special +P or even +P+. Both companies also made smaller and lighter guns for the .38 Special, and the Colt Official Police and S&W M&P were deservedly popular for their smooth actions and relatively light weight.

But when a shooter wanted more smack ’em from a .38 revolver, he went to one of the big bruisers. They worked, too. I once ran over the PPC course with a .38-44 Heavy Duty and the hottest .38 Special ammo I could find. The extra weight in that big frame and massive cylinder really tamed everything down quite nicely. We all know where this all led — right to the .357 Magnum of 1935.