One of my local shops picked up a Model marked 23 serial 165XXX. it is wearing rubbers and as been refinished. What is you guys feeling on this? Is it scare enought to still hold value with a mediocre refinishing job? Is it just a shooter? Never seen one model marked before so it perked my interest. ...Thoughts?
One of my local shops picked up a Model marked 23 serial 165XXX. it is wearing rubbers and as been refinished. What is you guys feeling on this? Is it scare enought to still hold value with a mediocre refinishing job? Is it just a shooter? Never seen one model marked before so it perked my interest. ...Thoughts?
That serial number have it falling right around when Smith gave it revolvers numerical names. So it's a true M23 and not an Outdoorsman. It also should have a S in front of the serial number. So with just a mediocre refinishing job and non original stocks it should value as a shooter. They aren't rare and I really don't want to call one scarce. There are plenty of them in the world it's just that folks are holding on to them. Mine is safely tucked away and I got it a few years back for under 400 bucks in 98% condition and all original.
This one is a bit or a piece meal odd ball... the barrel and cylinder have the same serial number but the frame has a different serial number. I still have not seen it in person this is just pass down. I just checked my SCSW and it is saying that only 50 to 100 were model marked.... Is that true?
I am not sure how you define rare and scarce but I feel the Model 23 is indeed a RARE gun . I have only seen two and have been trying to find one for sale for some time (at a price I can afford anyway ! ) !
Majic1: Would you be willing to share the serial number of your Model 23 for my files (offline)?
Sorry to hear this one has been altered. I would still be interested in getting the complete serial number off the frame.
The revolver's serial number (S165XXX) suggests it is a five-screw. The number stamped in the yoke cut is the assembly number and that might account for the observation of the serial number on the frame being different than that on the barrel and cylinder.
It would be unusual for a five-screw to be model numbered, but this model did not sell well after the ".357" was introduced and may have been a late manufacture and ship date.
Bill brings up an important consideration. Is it a five-screw gun?
Is the "165XXX" from the frame butt or the cylinder/barrel?
Let us know as soon as you see it. I am very interested in the story !
PHOTOS? Especially the "Model-23" stamp, frame butt, and side plate !
The files I have available do not show a record of any Outdoorsman in the S 165XXX range. In fact none after about S 148,000 until about S 177,000! The frame butt may have the answer.
Ok still going on second hand info ... but this looks like a false alarm. The serial number is reported as 165XX. Hopefully I will be able to get some definate info sooon but it apaers as if this not a model marker 23. Oh well....
WOW this is driving me crazy. So the gun is a 5 screw non model marked 38-44 outdoorsman. The serial number is 99XXX the assmebly number is 165XX. The barrel and the frame match so I guess the entire gun is orginal parts now just need to figure out what the finish is like. He is asking 650 so it still might qualify as a shooter.
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