Kicking Myself

MP15TDriver · #1 02-17-2011, 01:33 PM

First things first, I'm new.

Now the story, about 10 years ago I had a S&W revolver .38 Special that my father gave to me. We weren't much of a "gun family", but we did have a couple in the house.

He passed it down to me when I was first married and I dutifully put it in the closet and never shot it (no real opportunity). Fortunately, kids started coming along and before I knew it, but unfortunately my gun-scared wife started asking that we get rid of the gun(s) in the house because of child safety. (No comment necessary....the story gets better

). I ended up selling the gun to a co-worker.

Skip ahead about 10 years and my household is much more gun-friendly (see, told you it got better). The wife and kids are now shooters themselves and we all live in harmony.

Out of the blue, I contacted my previous co-worker to see if he still had the S&W revolver, inquiring whether I could buy it back. Much to my surprise, we ~think~ he still has the one I sold to him (he has a large collection, so we aren't sure yet if it is the same one). I'm going to see if I can find my sales paperwork to confirm the serial number.

Because of this, I'd like to share what I "know" about the gun and what I've "guessed" about it, so as to get some confirmation and valuation of the gun.

I know it was a:
- S&W Revolver (I know, not real descriptive--I wasn't into them back then as much as I am now)
- Blued
- Wood grips
- .38 Special
- My Dad got it on trade in the early 1970's

I ~think~ it had:
- Ejector Rod Shroud
- about a 5-6" barrel (definitely NOT a 4" barrel)

Based on this and the picture of the gun in my mind's eye, I'm guessing it was a:

S&W Post War .38/44 Heavy Duty (Pre Model 20??)
-- N-frame
-- I think the hammer had a striker pin extending from it
-- My previous co-worker has confirmed that the S&W Revolver he currently has is Serial Number S99XXX.
-- Condition - I haven't seen it in 10 years, but back then I don't recall any bluing issues or cracked grips. That is not to say it was pristine (my Dad rarely, if ever, cleaned it and it normally sat in a wool lined case). So, it is probably in decent shape, but not NIB.

Does my identification seem reasonable (in the absence of pictures)? If so, any ballpark pricing info? (Remember, I'm the guy who sold it 10 years ago for probably too little and am now emotionally attached to THIS one.

That doesn't help my bargaining position.

)

DCWilson · #2 02-17-2011, 02:28 PM

Welcome to the forum. That's not an unreasonable line of thought, but there is still room for other conclusions.

Did the gun you remember have fixed sights or adjustable rear sights? If it had fixed sights it would indeed be a Heavy Duty. If it had adjustable sights, it would be a .38/44 Outdoorsman, or Pre-23. The OD came only with a 6.5" barrel. The HD could be had in 4", 5" or 6.5" barrel lengths. If you remember a fixed-sight revolver and the one your friend has now is equipped with adjustable sights, you cannot be talking about the same gun.

A serial number beginning S99 could be either a HD or OD. It would definitely be one of the Model of 1950 guns with the postwar short action.

Price? The Pre-23s are fairly pricy these days, with excellent examples in the box going for $1500 or a even little more. A shooter grade Pre-23 can still be a $700-900 gun, with occasional lucky incidents where one can be picked up at an under-viewed auction for about $500. An HD in the same condition would be (wild guess, so don't take this as gospel) maybe a couple of hundred less.

You may hear other valuations from other forum members, so just average all the replies you get. Remember that the average wisdom of a group is usually closer to reality than the wisdom of any single member.

MP15TDriver · #3 02-17-2011, 03:29 PM

Thanks, David. That is a big help.

I just searched Gunbroker for Outdoorsman listings and, based on the pictures I found, that 6 1/2" barrel just doesn't look like what I recall (seems too long). So, I'm inclined to think that my previous gun was indeed a 5" and, therefore, would have to be an HD (with fixed rear sight).

Thus, based on your valuation guess, that would put it at about $500-700'ish for a shooter grade gun.

zywina · #4 02-18-2011, 01:45 AM

iT IS NICE WHEN YOU CAN BUY BACK A FAMILY HEIRLOOM, AND SHOOT IT! GOOD LUCK!

SINCE THESE 38/44 ARE SO SOUGHT AFTER, WHY HASN'T s&w MADE A DEDICATE 38 SPECIAL M-FRAME? aM i THE ONLY ONE WHO WOULD BUY 2 OUTDOORSMANS?

DALE THE CRAZY CANNUCK!

MP15TDriver · #5 02-18-2011, 10:11 AM

Now, we're getting somewhere.....

My previous coworker just sent me pictures, which is definitely the same gun.

This is the Heavy Duty, correct?

Value?

DCWilson · #6 02-18-2011, 10:30 AM

No, that's the .38/44 Outdoorsman, Model of 1950 variety (or Pre-23). Note the adjustable rear sight assembly. Also the ribbed barrel. The postwar Heavy Duty models did not have ribbed barrels.

Semi-scarce gun. There were only about 6000 of that configuration made between 1950 and 1966, when it was dropped from production. Compare that to something like the Model 10, of which S&W could (and did) make 6000 a month.

Value? Looks like 97% or better, and those target stocks are worth something. Some sellers would list that gun at $1500-1800 and wait for a buyer. I think a buyer could be found for it within minutes at $1000-1250.

EDITED TO REMOVE AN INCORRECT COMMENT ABOUT THE FRONT SIGHT.

MP15TDriver · #7 02-18-2011, 10:41 AM

Gulp.

I'm on the wrong side of this deal.

Thanks for the information!!

roaddog28 · #8 02-18-2011, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCWilson

Welcome to the forum. That's not an unreasonable line of thought, but there is still room for other conclusions.

Did the gun you remember have fixed sights or adjustable rear sights? If it had fixed sights it would indeed be a Heavy Duty. If it had adjustable sights, it would be a .38/44 Outdoorsman, or Pre-23. The OD came only with a 6.5" barrel. The HD could be had in 4", 5" or 6.5" barrel lengths. If you remember a fixed-sight revolver and the one your friend has now is equipped with adjustable sights, you cannot be talking about the same gun.

A serial number beginning S99 could be either a HD or OD. It would definitely be one of the Model of 1950 guns with the postwar short action.

Price? The Pre-23s are fairly pricy these days, with excellent examples in the box going for $1500 or a even little more. A shooter grade Pre-23 can still be a $700-900 gun, with occasional lucky incidents where one can be picked up at an under-viewed auction for about $500. An HD in the same condition would be (wild guess, so don't take this as gospel) maybe a couple of hundred less.

You may hear other valuations from other forum members, so just average all the replies you get. Remember that the average wisdom of a group is usually closer to reality than the wisdom of any single member.

Dave is the expert on the outdoorman/heavy duty revolvers but based on the pictures you just posted you have a outdoorman. Dave with correct me on this if I am wrong.

Nice revolver.
Howard