I'm looking halfway seriously at this gun. Is the seller out to lunch or is this price in the fair market range? (Remember, the price on the listing is in Canadian so it's actually about $1625 USD)



It was suggested to me in a PM that it might be improper to link to a for sale listing. Mods, if that is the case please accept my apologies.

Here is the photo of the gun. It is described in the listing as a "Pre Model 23" so I'm assuming post 1950? I've never seen one of these offered up here in Canada so it is pretty hard to form any idea of value. How would they compare to a pre Model 27 of the same era in terms of market value?

Just by appearance, I'd say it's from the early 1950s. No idea what a fair value would be in Canada.

Thanks for the reply, I was thinking if I could get an idea of 38 44 values relative to more common guns of the same era in the US I might be able to apply that information to our market.

I can only quote the 2014 Blue Book. 98% = 1125, 95% = 975, 90% = 800, 80% = 675, 70% = 385, 60% = 335, 50% = 285.

From sales I have seen, I feel these values are a little low.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I was talking to a friend that has a table at a Texas gunshow and he has a 50s Outdoorsman he is asking $1300 for it. The finish is comparable to the one in your picture.

SWCA 892

I think a fair market value for one of these (assuming the left side appears the same as the right, mechanically perfect, clean bore/chambers, etc.) might be in the low $1K USD range. Other members here collect these extensively and will hopefully weigh in.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I haven't seen a nice postwar OD .38/44 for over a year, I think it had a $1200 tag on it, but don't remember for sure. I'd guess $1000-$1200 for one in that condition.

Wow I must have stolen the last one I bought. It wasn't in as nice of shape as the one pictured but I'd rate it a solid 85% and I gave $350 for it. Paid another $100 for a pair of stags last winter and it's one of my favorite revolvers. Think I'll try to shoot a bear with it this weekend with some original spec 38/44 handloads.

If it is a Transitional model the price may be good.
Tell us the serial number from the bottom of the butt. You can xx out the last few numbers for privacy.
I have a Transitional Outdoorsman I paid $400 about 15 years ago. Found out from a collector on here it has a Registered Magnum checkered barrel rib. That puts it's value nearer to 2 Grand.
These are highly collectable, and great shooters.
Jim

Based on an excellent+ condition for an early 1950s 38/44, I think $1,200.

The gun pictured is not a transitional outdoorsman. Transitional models have the one line "MADE IN USA" address and the pre war hammer. I would say the gun pictured, assuming the other side is just as nice and the grips match, is worth $1200 +/- $100.

Here is my transitional OD for comparison. The stocks are latter than the gun. It shipped in 1946.

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}-----Jim----->
~SWCA #2732~

So,where's the pics?
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

It's definitely a Pre-23 produced between 1950 and 1958; as noted it is not a transitional. Not many were made, and five years ago you could see these things being offered in high condition at scarcity prices in the $2000-3000 range. Some sold at those price points, but a lot didn't. I sort of stopped following them, but my impression is that prices now are significantly lower. A reasonable price for a good specimen is probably in the $1200-1500 range. Anyone who got one for less in the last couple of years just had the good fortune to run into an uninformed seller.

If by any chance you see one marked MOD 23 at that price, grab it up and don't look back. The model-marked .38/44 ODs are few in number and constitute serious collector bait.

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David Wilson

I know of a 98% Transitional 38/44 Outdoorsman for sale for 1695.00. Its been for sale for over a year.

I have been seeing a few of the short action ones lately in the 1600-1200 range with box but also not sold.

Ask and you shall receive.

When I saw my first 38/44 Outdoorsman years ago I knew I had to eventually own one. A couple of years ago I blundered into one while trading off a modified '66 Colt 1911, it was in amazing condition and is a mid fifties model with gold box and diamond matching grips, although they were modified for use of a Pacmeyer grip insert and a red ramp front sight was installed I would consider it a pistol worth an easy $1200, I wouldn't consider selling it for that price. If I had to chose between it and my '49 K-22 Masterpiece with call gold bead sight I would take the Outdoorsman and thats putting a very high value on anything. My Outdoorsman has the highest luster finish I have seen on any Smith and Wesson pistol, it is truly beautiful.

I got a heads up on this one from a buddy (Ruger collector) where this one was, and found it priced very well. That was 3 years ago, and what I paid was just a little over half what you are all saying a good one is worth. This one has just a hint of high spot wear, and a touch of rust where the front sight base sits on the rib. I understand this front sight condition was a common problem caused by insufficient rinsing of bluing salts on the sight.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I paid $350 for mine with a holster, a couple of speed loaders and a couple of boxes of rounds two months ago but I know I got a great deal. Looking for a set of original stocks for it. It's one of my favorites to shoot.

Attached Images

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1971 454 SS