Outdoorsman from '38

Davwingman · #1 10-10-2011, 07:33 PM

This OD found me today. Best I can figure it is from about 1938, ser # 533XX. The grips do not #, but I guess they are period correct. Anyway they have the concave washers. Gun appears to have been fired very little, but carried some. There is a bit of holster wear at the muzzle & a very slight turn ring. Probably a very high shooter grade. When it gets outa jail I will clean it up & get some better pics. I was actually looking for a post-war, but I guess this will have to do. What you think?

JP@AK · #2 10-10-2011, 07:36 PM

Yes, I believe it will "do." Good heavens, this is a very nice find! The pre-war Magnas are worth something all by themselves. Congratulations.
JP

DCWilson · #3 10-10-2011, 07:47 PM

Keeper!

That's a first-rate score. A couple of years ago I lucked into 55276, a similar high-condition OD from November 1938, but it didn't have the proper stocks. It did have a humpback hammer that I learned was not original when the letter came, but I didn't care. Sometimes there is such a thing as too much authenticity.

Mine's almost too nice to be a shooter -- almost, I say. It is very accurate. I have never had a bad range experience with a .38/44 OD of any vintage, though some seem to produce groups a little tighter than others.

You're a winner. Congratulations!

LEO918 · #4 10-10-2011, 08:08 PM

Great catch! When will get to hear the rest of the story?

Iggy · #5 10-10-2011, 08:37 PM

Got your ol juices flowin' didn't I? *GBG*
I reckon you and I are gonna have to have a show and tell the next time you are out to the ranch.

That is a real beauty. It looks like it is in better condition than mine, and I thought mine was purty durn good.
I suspect when you get it home, it will grow on you. I hope you decide to keep it.

RKmesa · #6 10-10-2011, 09:01 PM

Davwingman:

Dang!! I know how you feel - I always hate it when I go out looking for a nice post-war gun and have to "settle" for a beautiful high condition pre-war O/D!!!!!

O well, like the saying goes "When life gives you a pre-war 38/44 Outdoorsman, clean it up, buff it with some Ren Wax and post a few more great photos for the rest of us to enjoy." -at least I think that is how the saying goes...

In all seriousness - Beautiful Gun and one of my all time favorite S&W models.

Congrats and thanks for sharing.

S&W-Keeper · #7 10-10-2011, 09:33 PM

Beautiful O.D.

GLL · #8 10-10-2011, 09:46 PM

BEAUTIFUL Outdoorsman !

If you are willing I would very much appreciate its serial number or my files (off line) !

Best Regards,

Jerry

[email protected]

Frank V · #9 10-10-2011, 09:51 PM

It would do for me! That's a nice six-gun, thanks for sharing.
Frank

j38 · #10 10-11-2011, 10:38 PM

Congratulations! I think the Pre-War Outdoorsman is one of the finest revolvers ever made by S&W. Glad you found a nice one.

Jerry

zywina · #11 10-12-2011, 01:29 AM

Wish we had as many Outdoorsmans as you Yanks, have south of the border, great gun and you all make me want one even more, cheers your Cannuck neighbor, Dale Z!

JSR III · #12 10-12-2011, 07:43 AM

Quote:

It did have a humpback hammer that I learned was not original when the letter came, but I didn't care. Sometimes there is such a thing as too much authenticity.

I think that many times we collectors place WAY too much emphasis on how a gun was shipped. Yes, that was the way it was born but not necessarily the way that it lived.

If as humans we placed as much emphasis on how we were shipped, we would all still have to be babies and wearing diapers. Not old folks with graying hair (assuming you still have any) and bellies hanging over our trousers.