For some perspective, here are the equivalent prices in 2009 dollars:

.44 Magnum M29 - $976
.357 Magnum M27 - $837
Hwy Patrolman M28 - $593
1955 .45 Target M25 - $732
38/44 Outdoorsman M23 - $662
1950 .44 Target M24 - $662
38/44 Heavy Duty M20 - $558
1940 .44 Military M21 - $558
1950 Army M22 - $523
.357 Combat Magnum M19 - $767
.38 M&P M10 - $453
.38 M&P Airweight M12 - $474
.38 Combat Masterpiece M15 - $516

Granted you're not going to find a 38/44 Outdoorsman today for $662, but they're not making them anymore either. I got examples of the current batch of M21 and M22s for about the above-listed prices. And look at how expensive the M19 was compared to the others of its time! $250 more than the similarly appointed (but only .38 Special) M15. Looks to me like price gouging, proabably the M19 was still pretty new and in high demand.