38/44 Outdoorsman turned poor man’s 3.5 inch non-RM

Nice old conversion, a shooter for sure! BTW, the holster shown with the gun is a Model 1881 "US" built for the Colt SAA, and shortened to fit your Smith...you can see the different stitching on the bottom. I also suspect the holster is a replica, since most of the original Model 1881 "US" holsters show very hard use, as they were used from 1881 until the 1911 became the issue arm. I have a picture of my grandfather in his Corporal's uniform in Cuba, circa 1898, with his "Artillery" Colt in a Model 1881 holster. I have the Colt, but not the holster! ML
 
I think the holster is for a S&W M&P turn of the century. It's a half flap 1917 holster.

Nice revolver!! I'd buy that for a dollar!! :D

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Casual Smith Nut said:
Picked this one up recently and wanted to share. It’s a post war transitional 38/44 outdoorsman and too cool to pass up. It was cut to 3.5 inches to be what I’ll call my “poor man’s non-RM.” It’s been reblued and has evidence of old pitting on the barrel and frame. The action is pretty slick, almost as good as my worn prewar OD. The trigger grooves have been smoothed out. The chambers have been lengthened to accept 357 mag. Also, to my surprise it has a King front sight! :D

I think it’s a cool gun and, given the pitted exterior, one that would have been a good candidate for the mods that were done to it. Chambers and bore are clean.

It came wearing some oversize stocks which cover the backstrap. The stocks have no markings inside or out that I can tell. I put on some mismatched prewar service stocks likely off of a Brazilian. I’m looking forward to shooting and enjoying my budget cut non-registered magnum.
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I have a cut down Outdoorsman as well. Not with me at this time so no pics to show. The cutting down looks expert. Good shooting gun!
 
Have this 1954 short action pre Model 23 that wears a 4" Reg Mag barrel and KB large medallion grips.
Reminds me that I need to find an N frame barrel end ejector rod for it if anyone has a drawer full of spares .😀
 

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Mike LaNier said:
Nice old conversion, a shooter for sure! BTW, the holster shown with the gun is a Model 1881 "US" built for the Colt SAA, and shortened to fit your Smith...you can see the different stitching on the bottom. I also suspect the holster is a replica, since most of the original Model 1881 "US" holsters show very hard use, as they were used from 1881 until the 1911 became the issue arm. I have a picture of my grandfather in his Corporal's uniform in Cuba, circa 1898, with his "Artillery" Colt in a Model 1881 holster. I have the Colt, but not the holster! ML
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I saw this and tried both an N frame and a flattop ruger blackhawk. The N frame will fit up to 4 inch but lose at the hammer leaving a gap and some wiggle. 5 inch N frame doesn’t allow the flap to close and be secure. The flattop ruger (newer 45 dual cylinder iteration) 4.75” fits snug and allows the flap to close and be secured with perfect fit. The rear of the hammer is against the closed flap with zero wiggle. My vote is Mike LaNier and the Colt SAA cut down holster for 4.75” tube.
 
I kinda like it. Here's another chopper, a transitional .44 HE 3rd S66805.
The barrel was cut just above the dingbat on the right side and front sight neatly reattached.
Matching magnas have been modified for a grip adapter (last photo).
Holster courtesy of our friend VM.

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I really like those old guns that someone has altered, modified, to be set up for just what they had in mind.

Many years ago, maybe 20 or so, someone posted his Outdoorsman that had been fitted with an SAA grip frame and stocks. Looked really unusual, of course, but also really cool. I imagined some old guy switching from his SAA to a double action, but wanting the feel of his old sixgun.
 
AKtinman said:
A post-war Transitional Outdoorsman. Is the barrel rib checkered or grooved?
Should be a fun shooter!
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Photos above appear to be grooved or serrated. Base of Kings front sight looks to be checkered. All in all, to me, that looks to be a wonderful find and purchase. Great holster too for field work. I’ll just sit here and drool for a little longer…
 
MG34/bar said:
Looks just like mine, which is S696XX, letters to September, 1946 sent to Sloan Sporting Goods, New York City. My 3.5” barrel looks factory done, but no marks under the original (serial marked) stocks showing return to the factory.
I speculate that some plain clothes officer wanted a factory .357 with the 3.5” barrel, but couldn’t get one any other way. I carried it as a detective sergeant in the early 1980s, and the trigger is like butter-smooth.
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On the job, what holster did you use for thar revolver? I worked with two guys that carried N frame .357s in the 70s and 80s. 3 1/2 and four inch barrels.
 
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