Thoughts on Grandfather's 38-44 Outdoorsman

[rocknroad]

No Judgement, please. As I've posted previously, I inherited my grandfather's old Outdoorsman; the sidearm he used as a Motor Patrol Officer for the Pasadena (CA) police department during the 1940s. Due to this inheritance, I am now the proud collector of one vintage S&W revolver, now.

The reason I ask for no judgement is this, I am horsing around with some various stocks...and, God forbid...they are not period correct. Here is why...

I received the gun with these stocks:

As you can see, they appear to be custom targets, cut out to show the engraved name on the right side of the frame. I have removed those stocks to preserve them, as they were the stocks my granddad handled, himself.

Since this gun is a shooter, I purchased some target stocks to wear to the range...

These are nice but, obviously, not in line with any stocks that were available in the mid-20th century. So, as I spend more time admiring the amazing collectibles I see on this forum, I am wanting to make this gun more "authentic" to the way my grandfather would have purchased it. To make matters more expensive for me, I realized that he carried this gun for years with Magnas, not the custom stocks. When I removed the customs, I found the wear/scratch patterns fit magnas, to a tee.

So, not wanting to spend upwards of $1000 for original magnas, I found some take-offs from a Model 27-9, for MUCH less.

The reason for my post is this: This gun will never be worth collector prices to anyone else. It is priceless to me. I do shoot it, on a regular basis (because is it freaking awesome to shoot), but still want the feel of the "as shipped" gun, and how it might have been the first several year of use by my grandfather.

Am I kidding myself with the modern magnas? Would it be just as blasphemous to put lesser, vintage magnas on, like these?

Am I just fine admiring the modern mangas, and even posting pics here in the future, occasionally, without ridicule?

Again, because of the good but not perfect condition of the gun, the name engraved on the frame and it being a 38-44 instead of a .357, it's never going to be worth much. It's purely for my pleasure...as a single gun collection...for now.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[WCCPHD]

Given the family history, that gun is PRICELESS.

Given its age and the fact it was a working gun and not a safe queen, its in pretty amazing condition.

I would be proud to own such a weapon.

 

[22hipower]

Not sure what you think is "not much worth" but I'd say it is worth quite a bit especially with the box; as well as being priceless to you. The stocks it came with when you got it would be my choice; maybe rosewood? I think I'd letter it, find out what stocks it did leave the factory with, and then look for some. In the meantime, I'd be very happy with those it came with; especially if those were the ones your grandfather used. Very nice, enjoy.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[EarlB]

Very nice gun! I agree with Jeff, if I were lucky enough to obtain such an inheritance - I'd leave Grandpa's stocks on it, he had good taste.

Earl

 

[rocknroad]

Not sure what you think is "not much worth" but I'd say it is worth quite a bit especially with the box; as well as being priceless to you. The stocks it came with when you got it would be my choice; maybe rosewood? I think I'd letter it, find out what stocks it did leave the factory with, and then look for some. In the meantime, I'd be very happy with those it came with. Very nice, enjoy.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Thanks, Jeff.

My concern, and the reason why I took them off, was to protect them from further damage (I will confess, I am a little fumble-fingered and may or may not have already dropped them once)

I am looking for the balance of cost, authenticity and usefulness. Or, just keep what I have on now, the magnas from the 27-9.

 

[GF]

The one's that you got it with are the best looking (to me) of the bunch.

Nice that it came with the box too. If you want to go original it'll cost about 500 or so. And that gun would look good with a set of stocks that had wear on them about the same as the revolver.

No hurry on your part. Shoot it with the smooth Target grips and enjoy it to the fullest.

GF

 

[Jack Flash]

It's true that one bit of advice often given here is
"Now you need to find some period correct stocks."

This is not intended as ridicule. They are trying to be helpful.

Personally, I would just shoot it with whatever stocks I find the most comfortable, fit my hand the best, yield the best results, etc. Granddad obviously settled on those target stocks. You could find functional duplicates for under $200, possibly way under.

But maybe you shouldn't listen to me since I like shooting guns with the much maligned "Goodyears" installed. And I'm not really too concerned if someone else finds their appearance objectionable.

 

[Kansasgunner]

I also think your grandfather had great taste and would stay with the target stocks it came with. It's a wonderful old gun thanks for sharing it!

 

[LPD256]

I also think your grandfather had great taste and would stay with the target stocks it came with. It's a wonderful old gun thanks for sharing it!

I second this motion.

 

[paplinker]

If magnas feel better in you hand than targets you can get into vintage prewar magnas with wear for $350-$500 The WTB here is great for things like that.

I think its great you are shooting this gun. Your grandfather must be grinning. What better honor than for you to cherish something he carried every day and depended his life on.

 

[rocknroad]

If magnas feel better in you hand than targets you can get into vintage prewar magnas with wear for $350-$500 The WTB here is great for things like that.

I think its great you are shooting this gun. Your grandfather must be grinning. What better honor than for you to cherish something he carried every day and depended his life on.

I really appreciate this post. My grandfather became a cynical old curmudgeon by the time I knew him, assumingly from years of law enforcement. I find this gun is my connection to the younger man that was beloved by his friends and wife. Just handling it, and noticing new, little things on the gun, is part of my journey to connect with the man we lost 23 years ago.

When I see the picture of the smiling young man in uniform, wearing this gun, it makes me love this gun all the more.

 

[paplinker]

I really appreciate this post. My grandfather became a cynical old curmudgeon by the time I knew him, assumingly from years of law enforcement. I find this gun is my connection to the younger man that was beloved by his friends and wife. Just handling it, and noticing new, little things on the gun, is part of my journey to connect with the man we lost 23 years ago.

When I see the picture of the smiling young man in uniform, wearing this gun, it makes me love this gun all the more.

I am glad you get the big picture of things with your grandpop. You might consider writing down everything you can about him like years served,badge number etc and keep it in the box.Hopefully one day the next caretaker,hopefully your kin can cherish it and keep the story straight. Funny how stories change by word of mouth.

Can we see the pic?

 

[LPD256]

Rock-My Dad was a State Trooper. His duty gun was a Model 10. But on the Highway Patrol Pistol Team he competed in bullseye events with a 50's vintage 38/44 Outdoorsman with custom grips. Fortunately he kept the Magna grips from the gun and I have them. I post photos of the gun occasionally on the forum as I'm proud of it and it's history. I have a history as a motor officer. Looking back several years, I'd have to say that was my favorite job of all time. I shoot my Outdoorsman. Good on you for shooting yours. They weren't made to sit in the safe.....congrats on having a special gun. Jh

 

[younggun22]

I think the target stocks are fantastic, especially if they were what grandpa preferred.

To be honest the altamonts and modern magnas just look "wrong"

It's a great piece and enjoy it.

 

[Doug627]

Just a 38/44 and not a .357 Magnum? Being a 38/44 makes it special. Be proud of that shootin' iron and its cartridge. Your gramdfather knew what he had. Some have had the chambers of these revolvers bored to take .357 Magnums. They are worth more as 38/44s.

 

[rocknroad]

Can we see the pic?

I posted everything here a few months back. My grandfather's pics are near the bottom.

Just inherited my Grandfather's 38/44 Outdoorsman

 

[Waveski]

That is a fine revolver , condition and all. You are extremely fortunate to be the current custodian of such a family heirloom.

Of the various stocks you showed us , I like grandpa's customs the best , and the newer laminates the least. That new looking laminate on that fine old revolver is hard on my eyes. The checkered targets are very nice , but also rather fancy. You have yourself a working gun there.

I think that having grampa's stocks right there in your hands would really enhance the experience of shooting his sidearm. I'll bet he would not mind , either.

 

[Eddietruett]

I'm in agreement with most here. I'd find the most comfortable to you stocks and put them on no matter how they look. Shoot the snot out of the gun and don't give a rats behind about what it looks like. Its not for sale and you have one of the greatest gifts anyone can get. You have a great gun with great memories to go with it. The last thing I would worry about is what it looked like when I took it out to shoot. Obviously keep the originals which I know you will but I'd never think twice about what I mounted on that fine girl when taking her out to the range.

 

[rocknroad]

I wish he had kept the original stocks in the box. I'd love to know what they were and looked like after his service. I have no idea when he put the targets on but, they have many years of wear on them, too.

 

[ABPOS]

I feel where you are coming from. When I figured out how much the target stocks were worth that came with the Model 19 I received when my step Dad passed away, I took them off lickety split and put the cheap hogues back on. I want to shoot the gun but I don't want to damage the target stocks. LOL. I actually had sold the Farrants that were on the gun when I first got it and gave the money to my Mom because she really was in a bind with debt. And I didn't like them anyways... So.. I do not regret that decision at all. Some may think it was a shame that those stocks aren't on there now because that's how he had it, but his hands were like practically twice the size of mine. It just didn't make sense to keep them on there.

Anyways... Thanks for sharing your experience. It would be interesting to see what kind of stocks came on the gun to begin with. But lettering it will just cost you that much more money. LOL.