1934 .38/44 Outdoorsman

[kscharlie]

I was going to wait until I had this revolver in hand and take some pics myself. Finding that I can't wait that long...

Bought this pre-war .38/44 Outdoorsman Sunday night. Paid more than I wanted to, but these don't come along very often and it appears to be in very nice condition. I also think the .38/44 Outdoorsman is undervalued as there were fewer of them manufactured than RMs. (Not trying to compare the two...just saying.)

The gun also comes with a Letter of Authenticity, signed by our own Don Mundell. I did note one item that I find quite confusing. The letter states the gun was shipped on July 19, 1934, with magna stocks. The letter also states that magna stocks were not offered until late 1935.

At any rate, I think I will enjoy this one.

 

[lestert357]

Are the Magna stocks serial number matching to the gun? If not, I would assume that the gun originally shipped with service style stocks. If the grips match I would assume the shipping date is in error.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Congrats Charlie. That's a handsome creature.

 

[HeloMt]

Great revolver!!! I know RM's get all the love, but these were the pinnacle of prewar, depression era, standard production gun making. It will be interesting to see if the magnas number to the revolver. Glad you were able to snag it...enjoy!

 

[Bald1]

That's way up on my want list. I'm contemplating selling an old model 41 to help fund the purchase. Congrats. She's a beauty.

 

[paplinker]

Very nice 38-44 OD !

I agree the quality of ODs are quite similar to the RMs and if you look around there are lots of different equipped ones out there.

I am up to six different now'
As far as the magnas this is when I would normally go to the old database and look at similar serial numbers to see if any others close in range might also have numbered magnas.

You might consider a set of custom targets for that one. I think ODs handle even better with them and they just look right with a good set.

Just got a old rosewood fitz set for mine.

 

[Babysitr]

That's a beautiful old revolver, bet it will be a pleasure to shoot

 

[6string]

Really, really nice! A great S&W from a great era.
As time goes on, I suspect you'll appreciate it more and more, all the while thinking less and less of the price.
Eventually the value with catch up or exceed your present cost.

By the way, whenever I think of these pre-war target 38-44s, I recall the handloading work of Phil Sharpe. In his book, he cites near-identical loads for the 357 Magnum and the 38-44.
The powder charge, OAL, bullet (Lyman Ideal 358156) are the same, as is the laboratory pressure data. The only difference is the use of a 357 case vs a 38 Spl case. If you know the 358156 bullet you know that it has two crimp grooves, one for either of those two cases. The result is an overall length that is identical.
Very clever!

 

[austintexas]

Heavy Duty outdoorsmen

Habit forming, I started out with a Postwar, then found a Prewar, looked real hard for a Transition Outdoorsman, found it. Then someone offered me a Postwar that had been cut to 5 inch, had to buy It. So now I have 4 and If another shows up at the right price I'll probably have 5. The 5 inch is my go to shooter since it is modified.
SWCA 892

 

[LPD256]

That is an especially nice example of an Outdoorsman. Congratulations on it Charlie.

 

[huthike]

Beautiful gun - nice score!

 

[kscharlie]

Are the Magna stocks serial number matching to the gun? If not, I would assume that the gun originally shipped with service style stocks. If the grips match I would assume the shipping date is in error.

I was told that the stocks on the gun are not serial number matched. However, the letter states that the gun in question shipped with magna stocks.

 

[mh51]

I watched that one, but was chasing another one at the time. Glad to know that you got it. Its a nice one!

 

[lestert357]

I was told that the stocks on the gun are not serial number matched. However, the letter states that the gun in question shipped with magna stocks.

Charlie, I believe the letter is incorrect with regards to the grips. Based on the serial number the shipping date of July 19, 1934 appears to be correct. This is over a year before Magna grips first appeared, so the gun almost assuredly shipped with service style grips. You can contact Don Mundell for clarification and/or a corrected letter.

 

[Ruger 13]

Very nice pistola!

 

[Hawg Rider]

Seven or eight years ago, my son's friend and co-worker (they both worked at a local gun store) took a "transitional" .38/44 OD in on trade and he ended up buying it himself. It was missing its original stocks and the rear sight, and it had a Cockeyed Hammer installed. Finish was probably about 85-90%. As you can imagine, as an employee he only paid a couple of hundred bucks for it. A few months after purchasing the OD, he decided that he'd rather have a new guitar than search for Outdoorsman parts, so he asked me if I'd like to buy it. I said of course, and I ended up making what I thought was a fair offer of $800. He said he wouldn't take less than $1200 for it. Back then, $1200 was too rich for my blood for a revolver that needed major parts and that I didn't really need, so it was "thanks but no thanks". I never followed up to see what ever happened to that revolver. That's the closest I've ever come to owning a .38/44 Outdoorsman.

 

[Rodan]

Beautiful Outdoorsman!

These are wonderful guns, right at the pinnacle of Smiths produced pre-war. And great shooters as well. I'm interested to hear if there is any clarification on the Magna stocks.

Mine is just a couple years earlier, 1932.

 

[RKmesa]

Beautiful guns!!! Thanks for sharing. And I do agree that they are addictive...

 

[kscharlie]

Charlie, I believe the letter is incorrect with regards to the grips. Based on the serial number the shipping date of July 19, 1934 appears to be correct. This is over a year before Magna grips first appeared, so the gun almost assuredly shipped with service style grips. You can contact Don Mundell for clarification and/or a corrected letter.

Terry, I agree that the letter is likely incorrect regarding the magna stocks. I sent Don a PM last night asking for clarification, and waiting for his reply. If the letter is incorrect, I will likely ask for a corrected letter.

Interesting thing about the letter, it was addressed to "Whom It May Concern". I am guessing the person who requested the letter is not a member of SWCA and SWHF, as no invoice was provided. I have also requested additional documentation from SWHF.

 

[rct269]

"-------not trying to compare the two--------"

It strikes me as entirely acceptable to compare any target grade N frame of the era to a Registered Magnum----and having said that, I'm stuck trying to think of anything other than the checkered rib that's any different.

Ralph Tremaine