S&W 38-44 Outdoorsman postwar

brendonjames65 · #1 10-11-2021, 05:27 PM

Just won an online bid last night on a S&W 38/44 Outdoorsman 5 screw Postwar Pre- Model 23, 38 special mfg 1956 with magna checkered stocks. It was described as having a little holster wear on the muzzle tip and cylinder front but overall in excellent condition. The photos seem to confirm this. Perhaps other forum members checked it out?

My winning bid was $905. My self imposed budget was $1000 or less so I was actually surprised to win on GB since there were other bidders and it seems like Outdoorsman’s are priced a lot higher lately. Actually everyone I’ve seen lately has been priced well north of a grand. Of course I’ll have to wait to receive it for a hands on detailed inspection. I’ll have to insert a 357 into the cylinder to verify that it wasn’t reamed out to 357, I can’t tell from the photo of the cylinder?

I’m really excited about this revolver, I was about ready to give up trying to find one for under a grand. There is just something compelling about the Outdoorsman, maybe the name, the looks, the history, but I just had to have one!

I’ve acquired several vintage S&W revolvers recently, all early Christmas presents so my wife tells me, so this madness has to stop! I think I’m trying to make up for lost time, having ignored S&W revolvers all these years. Anyways, it’s very addicting! Each time I acquire a vintage revolver, I spend hours researching the history, getting others perspectives from the knowledgeable S&W Forum members, acquiring holsters, replacement stocks and then the best part, shooting them!

Mbrgr1 · #2 10-11-2021, 05:46 PM

Love mine! A prewar and a transitional (not pictured). They are special and who doesn't want to be an "Outdoorsman"!

I would have grabbed that one if I saw it for that price! So good job!

SuperMan · #3 10-11-2021, 06:49 PM

That is a GREAT looking gun for the money...enjoy that one!!

Now you need a matching Heavy Duty...

Bob

H Richard · #4 10-11-2021, 07:01 PM

Mine was a S146xxx, shipped Jan 57. Hadn't been reamed for 357 and a great shooter.

SS336 · #5 10-11-2021, 07:08 PM

That sure is a great buy. 👍 very handsome revolver, at a price that isn’t seen much anymore. More than a little jealous here.

PeteC · #6 10-11-2021, 08:33 PM

I contacted the seller while the auction was active, GenesPics, about the cylinder, and this is what he replied:

Quote:

...Finally looked today. Sorry for response delay. Looks like the cylinder has been bored, as a .357 magnum cartridge fits nicely in the cylinder. Thanks.

In any case, a very nice looking revolver, and bored out or not, it will be an awesome shooter!. By comparison the only ones I see locally to me seem to have the satin finish, and look like a couple generations have taken them hunting.

LPD256 · #7 10-11-2021, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H Richard

Mine was a S146xxx, shipped Jan 57. Hadn't been reamed for 357 and a great shooter.

HRichard-I have S146130. Didn't ship until 1959.

brandonjames65-I think you got a bargain. Congrats and enjoy.

THE PILGRIM · #8 10-11-2021, 09:21 PM

Here’s mine again.
S79810

brendonjames65 · #9 10-11-2021, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeteC

I contacted the seller while the auction was active, GenesPics, about the cylinder, and this is what he replied:

In any case, a very nice looking revolver, and bored out or not, it will be an awesome shooter!. By comparison the only ones I see locally to me seem to have the satin finish, and look like a couple generations have taken them hunting.

Thanks for shedding light on that, probably a question I should have asked! I think it was still worth $905 I hope!

heeter3 · #10 10-11-2021, 09:51 PM

Congratulations and enjoy the heck out of it.

brendonjames65 · #11 10-11-2021, 11:38 PM

Thanks everyone for your responses and pics of your handsome 38/44 Outdoorsman’s. I’m glad to be part of the Outdoorsman club! I can’t wait to get this great vintage revolver and try it out! I think I’ll take it with me on some hunts this season, It’ll go along well with my vintage L.L. Bean and Pendleton wool hunting clothing, plus I have a vintage Hunter holster that’ll fit it too!

PeteC · #12 10-12-2021, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brendonjames65

Thanks for shedding light on that, probably a question I should have asked! I think it was still worth $905 I hope!

I think so. They are pretty cool guns with a lot of history.

RKmesa · #13 10-12-2021, 01:04 AM

Congratulations. AND I agree - they are addictive...

Some pre-war ones:

... and some post-war ones:

Thanks for sharing,

StrawHat · #14 10-12-2021, 06:33 AM

The Outdoorsman was one of the nicest revolvers to come from the factory. Good sights and a great action (either the old long action or the 1950 short action).

If you plan to shoot it, handloading to meet the ballistics of the 38/44 HD cartridge will make it a sweet shooter,

Kevin

brendonjames65 · #15 10-12-2021, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKmesa

Congratulations. AND I agree - they are addictive...

Some pre-war ones:

... and some post-war ones:

Thanks for sharing,

Very impressive collection! I’ve not seen a 4 inch Outdoorsman, that must be very rare. Your collection must have taken many years, thanks for sharing !

fleabus101 · #16 10-12-2021, 11:15 AM

That looks like a gunsmithed model observing the front sight attachment..Still a neat looking
piece..Problably a nice carry and shooting Smith..
Randy..

Wiregrassguy · #17 10-12-2021, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Your collection must have taken many years, thanks for sharing

Richard has a grove of S&W revolver trees on his property. I think he just harvests them when they're ripe. I'd just like to have his culls...jes sayin'

PeteC · #18 10-12-2021, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiregrassguy

Richard has a grove of S&W revolver trees on his property. I think he just harvests them when they're ripe. I'd just like to have his culls...jes sayin'

A whole grove! I think my father had a tree like that in the garden... he must not have known when they get ripe though... all his seemed to produce were J-Frames...

brendonjames65 · #19 10-12-2021, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fleabus101

That looks like a gunsmithed model observing the front sight attachment..Still a neat looking
piece..Problably a nice carry and shooting Smith..
Randy..

Here are some better close up pics of the front sight attachment. I don’t know if this is standard or not?

RKmesa · #20 10-12-2021, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brendonjames65

... I’ve not seen a 4 inch Outdoorsman, that must be very rare.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fleabus101

That looks like a gunsmithed model observing the front sight attachment..Still a neat looking
piece..Problably a nice carry and shooting Smith..
Randy..

Good eye Randy. The 4"er is a well modified O/D that is a great carry gun and a wonderful shooter. Here are a few more photos:

I really do love the Outdoorsman revolvers (both the 38/44 and the K-22).

RKmesa · #21 10-12-2021, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brendonjames65

Here are some better close up pics of the front sight attachment. I don’t know if this is standard or not?

S&W 38-44 Outdoorsman postwar-587b3ffd-b507-4bc6-8519-9ade1c1a0da3-jpg

S&W 38-44 Outdoorsman postwar-587b3ffd-b507-4bc6-8519-9ade1c1a0da3-jpg

S&W 38-44 Outdoorsman postwar-97d5137e-4eef-48bf-ad10-1e80644792fc-jpg

It looks like the standard front sight to me. It is a beautiful gun.

Thanks for sharing,

Walter Rego · #22 10-12-2021, 07:31 PM

My .38/44 Outdoorsman is in the mid-147,000 serial number range and shipped in June 1956. $905 for a nice example is a very good deal these days.

brendonjames65 · #23 10-12-2021, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walter Rego

My .38/44 Outdoorsman is in the mid-147,000 serial number range and shipped in June 1956. $905 for a nice example is a very good deal these days.

Thanks for sharing, they are just a handsome looking gun! The way the bidding was going I didn’t think I’d win since I set a limit to stay under $1000 so I was extremely pleased to win!

I actually had a second gun already picked out since I was sure I’d lose out on this Outdoorsman bid, it was an early model Colt Trooper, I know sacrilegious to mention on the S&W Forum! It was such a distant second choice I wouldn’t have been happy since I simply couldn’t get my mind off the Outdoorsman!

Of course my preference is to collect vintage S&W N frames over Colt’s but they aren’t inexpensive. My brother (forum member mchom) says any decent N frame is going to be $1000 as a starting point nowadays.

Brendon

kscharlie · #24 10-12-2021, 08:14 PM

I took a good look at this one too. Was tempted. What changed my mind for me is that the serial number on the barrel does not match the serial number of the gun. At some point in time, the barrel has been replaced. You still got a nice looking gun, and it should be a great shooter. Enjoy it.

StrawHat · #25 10-12-2021, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brendonjames65

Here are some better close up pics of the front sight attachment. I don’t know if this is standard or not?

As you may have surmised by now, Randy was talking about the 4” OD shown by RKmesa.

Kevin

StrawHat · #26 10-12-2021, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKmesa

Good eye Randy. The 4"er is a well modified O/D that is a great carry gun and a wonderful shooter. Here are a few more photos:

I wonder what rifle that sight was designed for and who made it? That is a good looking set up!

Kevin

brendonjames65 · #27 10-12-2021, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrawHat

As you may have surmised by now, Randy was talking about the 4” OD shown by RKmesa.

Kevin

Thanks, I was a little slow on the uptake but I figured it out! I believe there are 4 inch factory Outdoorsman’s right, but quite rare?

StrawHat · #28 10-12-2021, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brendonjames65

Thanks, I was a little slow on the uptake but I figured it out! I believe there are 4 inch factory Outdoorsman’s right, but quite rare?

I “think” that is correct but I am not a big 44 S&W Special guy. I do not even own one.

Kevin

brendonjames65 · #29 10-12-2021, 09:58 PM

I will say this has been quite the learning experience. Many of you no doubt have learned through trial and error but willingly share knowledge and insight which is most appreciated.

I’ve been lucky on other bids so far due to sheer luck and perhaps good timing but that only last so long. Now I can incorporate a checklist of things to look for. Many of you essentially conduct a forensic analysis on the gun!

This Outdoorsman is really just for my own personal use to enjoy and not for resale so it’s intrinsic value isn’t so important although I still like to think all of my guns are an investment that will yield financial benefit to my family after I’m no longer here.

jimmyj · #30 10-12-2021, 10:05 PM

Several month ago I purchased a Model 20 .38/44 Heavy Duty .38/44 nickeled Revolver with a five inch barrel (S774--) From A Forum Member I think it is post WWII ??

StrawHat · #31 10-13-2021, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmyj

Several month ago I purchased a Model 20 .38/44 Heavy Duty .38/44 nickeled Revolver with a five inch barrel (S774--) From A Forum Member I think it is post WWII ??

jimmy’s,

If it is marked Model 20, it is from 1958 or later, so yes, Post WWII. If not so marked, photos will help.

Kevin

brendonjames65 · #32 10-13-2021, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kscharlie

I took a good look at this one too. Was tempted. What changed my mind for me is that the serial number on the barrel does not match the serial number of the gun. At some point in time, the barrel has been replaced. You still got a nice looking gun, and it should be a great shooter. Enjoy it.

Thanks kscharlie. You, PeteC and others have made some excellent observations. Basic details to you guys but overlooked by me, so all will be added to my repertoire for future purchases/bids on vintage S&W revolvers.

For a shooter and representative sample of a 38/44 Outdoorsman, I believe this beautiful revolver was worth $905 to me at least.