I have an opportunity to purchase a S&W Outdoorsman sn 12XXX. It looks to be 98% blue but am concerned it has been refinished. The case colors are excellent and I can't tell any wear at the muzzle. What I would like to know is what it's worth and is there any definite way I can tell about the bluing?
38/44 Outdoorsman
- Thread starter salvadore
- Start date
I am not an expert but from what I hear checking the side plate fit can indicate a reblue. Are the edges of the plate a little rounded from polishing or are they sharp as they come from the factory? Stampings clear and sharp? Check the grip frame under the stocks for a factory rework mark and date (will look something like 4 78 meaning April of 1978). Sometimes a star on the butt indicates a refinish. I hate to give value estimates because they can vary wildly. So don't take what I say as gospel. Seems to me a real nice 38/44 OD will bring around $1,200 or so. More if condition is really good. More if box is there. More if it has pre-war Magna stocks.
PS: That cannot be the serial. Pre-war ODs go from 35,000 (something) up to 60,000 or so and post war guns have a letter prefix.
PS: That cannot be the serial. Pre-war ODs go from 35,000 (something) up to 60,000 or so and post war guns have a letter prefix.
My post here offer no help nor suggestions, but I am also looking to learn something, so I'm awfully curious about the serial number you've listed as 12,xxx.
As I'm sifting through the SCSW bible, that number is coming back as a 1914 production year, which is obviously long before the .38/44 revolvers were ever offered. That serial number seems to be for a .44 Special Triple Lock.
Unless of course...
I'm confused by the book. (highly possible!)
Or you're missing a digit on the serial number, and it's six digits and not five digits as you listed. Or perhaps it's got an alpha leading character?
As I'm sifting through the SCSW bible, that number is coming back as a 1914 production year, which is obviously long before the .38/44 revolvers were ever offered. That serial number seems to be for a .44 Special Triple Lock.
Unless of course...
I'm confused by the book. (highly possible!)
Or you're missing a digit on the serial number, and it's six digits and not five digits as you listed. Or perhaps it's got an alpha leading character?
Piggie is absolutely right, the SN starts with an 8. I didn't write down the sn on the second visit. It is post war with what I know as target trigger and hammer. The bluing looks original and the front sight has a longer base than the pictures I've seen and is pinned twice. It was 'discovered' that the cylinder would rotate clockwise with a little pressure and the shooter was going to be sent to their gunsmith. There is more back and forth cylinder movement than my 28-2. Even at that, I'm thinking I gotta have it @ $750.
Since I lost the one my father gave me on my 21st birthday..
I always try to keep a half an eye open for the 38/44's
seem to be a few available for 2k and less, all the way down to 975.
Of course I asked my bank account and it told me NO (again.....)
www.gunwatcher.com/gun/74AB636D8FFE/38-44-for-sale
I always try to keep a half an eye open for the 38/44's
seem to be a few available for 2k and less, all the way down to 975.
Of course I asked my bank account and it told me NO (again.....)
www.gunwatcher.com/gun/74AB636D8FFE/38-44-for-sale
Peter M. Eick
New member
Refinished outdoorsman, 8 starting digit? That makes it a post war like these so maybe 800 to 1000 if it is really nice.
Here are some variations of the postwar 38/44 Outdoorsman. They are reasonably common so don't way a huge premium for one The collectible ones are the pre-war and transitionals unless you have an unfired in the box one.
I have a couple now like that and they are quite nice.
I collect 38/44's so I need to reshoot this picture. I am now about 25 behind. I frankly have lost track so to speak.
Here are some variations of the postwar 38/44 Outdoorsman. They are reasonably common so don't way a huge premium for one The collectible ones are the pre-war and transitionals unless you have an unfired in the box one.
I have a couple now like that and they are quite nice.
I collect 38/44's so I need to reshoot this picture. I am now about 25 behind. I frankly have lost track so to speak.
Mike Irwin
Staff
You cornering the market in .38-44s or something?
Peter M. Eick
New member
Trying to.
Just kidding by the way.
I have always liked the 38/44's on the principal of it so I just started picking up one here or there and you know how it goes. Start with one and all of sudden you have over 50 of the same model. I think currently I have about 55 Heavy Duty's and 25 Outdoorsman's. I really don't know anymore. I have not pulled them all in a while and I have been on a tear buying them lately.
My latest pickups are consecutive serial numbered pre-war 5" HD's from the British Columbia Police Department. I now have 3 of the 65 they bought prior to 1942. Really neat that they have a lanyard mark.
I also finished off my transition collection so I now have one of every barrel length and stock type pre-war, transitional and post-war.
I am now getting down to the really rear ones.
I don't have the following (if you would like to help me out?
)
5" 38/44 McGivern model (pre-war Outdoorsman 5") My guess is there are dozens only of these.
5" 38/44 Light lug (I believe 12 known to have existed, 3 known to exist)
5" 38/44 light frame (3 (?) known to exist)
5" 38/44 45 Colt (I believe 12 known to have existed, 2 known to exist)
5" 38/44 30 Carbine experimental (2??? made, one known to exist)
Next would be the speculative ones, presumed to possibly exist
8 3/8" pre-war 38/44 (speculated on, but no known copies exist)
Finally, I am always on the outlook for nice 38/44's to save. I am particularly fond of 4" Humpback Hammer Heavy Duty's and 6.5" pre-war Humpback hammer Outdoorsman's.
Have any of these you want to talk about selling?
(yeah I know it is a disease...)
Just kidding by the way.
I have always liked the 38/44's on the principal of it so I just started picking up one here or there and you know how it goes. Start with one and all of sudden you have over 50 of the same model. I think currently I have about 55 Heavy Duty's and 25 Outdoorsman's. I really don't know anymore. I have not pulled them all in a while and I have been on a tear buying them lately.
My latest pickups are consecutive serial numbered pre-war 5" HD's from the British Columbia Police Department. I now have 3 of the 65 they bought prior to 1942. Really neat that they have a lanyard mark.
I also finished off my transition collection so I now have one of every barrel length and stock type pre-war, transitional and post-war.
I am now getting down to the really rear ones.
I don't have the following (if you would like to help me out?
)5" 38/44 McGivern model (pre-war Outdoorsman 5") My guess is there are dozens only of these.
5" 38/44 Light lug (I believe 12 known to have existed, 3 known to exist)
5" 38/44 light frame (3 (?) known to exist)
5" 38/44 45 Colt (I believe 12 known to have existed, 2 known to exist)
5" 38/44 30 Carbine experimental (2??? made, one known to exist)
Next would be the speculative ones, presumed to possibly exist
8 3/8" pre-war 38/44 (speculated on, but no known copies exist)
Finally, I am always on the outlook for nice 38/44's to save. I am particularly fond of 4" Humpback Hammer Heavy Duty's and 6.5" pre-war Humpback hammer Outdoorsman's.
Have any of these you want to talk about selling?
(yeah I know it is a disease...)
Peter M. Eick
New member
I love to reload so I have a reasonable supply. This is actually now building back up in supplies. I should reshoot the shot.
Thanks for the compliment.
My favorites are my humpback Hammers versions.
I should point out my Registered Magnum Humpback is in the top right but the rest are 38/44's. The 2 4" pre-war 38/44 Humpbacks are quite rare. Oops, I guess I have not taken a picture of both 4" Humpbacks. I have a really nice one that I picked up but have not photo-ed yet. Sorry about that.
I love reloading also, but I could never do THAT, and I never will.
I can make similar pictures, but with component bullets.
I love to change loads up all the time, and I also find that I burn through ammo recklessly if I envision a pile of loaded ammo that looks -ANYTHING- like what you show in that picture.
So I keep component bullet supplies building in that manner, and I typically roll ammo to replace what I've shot. It's a rare event if I ever have a thousand rounds of any one single thing loaded.
But this definitely seems to work for you!
Mike Irwin
Staff
I wouldn't mind a 4" version. I'll have to keep my eyes open.
Peter M. Eick
New member
I have one 4" target sighted pre-war 38/44 Heavy Duty. It is a pre-war conversion and it shoots great.
This was me banging away at 15 yrds with it using real 38/44 ammo. It shoots well but the grips leave much to be desired. Lots of fun though with a 4" target sights.
This was me banging away at 15 yrds with it using real 38/44 ammo. It shoots well but the grips leave much to be desired. Lots of fun though with a 4" target sights.