Precursor to the .357 Magnum.

Actually a .38 Special originally loaded with a 158 gr. bullet at just under 1200 FPS. Considering the garden variety .38 Special of the day was a 158 @ 750 FPS, this was a considerable leap forward.
It was chambered in S&W's "N" frame revolvers, first appearing ca. 1930.
With the introduction of the .357 I suppose interest waned pretty quickly in the .38/44.

I located this survivor a few years back and do shoot it on occasion.