Near mint Model 23 (Correction, Pre War Outdoorsman)

bgrafsr

bgrafsr

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My one FFL dealer went to the Mansfield, Ohio gun show this morning, and while walking around, he spotted a Model 23, 38-44 in the box, with a barely discernible turn line. He said the gun was near mint and the guy was asking $2750.00. He called me to let me know, but I'm tapped out for now , and crying, I turned it down.:(

The guy said if he didn't sell it there, he was taking it to the next OGCA show if anyone is interested. I can also get his phone number if anyone wants it.

I think the price may be high, but in the box and near mint, I'm not sure.
 
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Ten years or so ago, I was looking for a 6" Model 27-2 to go with my 3 1/2". I went to the OGCA show at the Cleveland IX Center. I swear, every other table had a .38-44 Outdoorsman on it. I'd never seen so many in one place. I gave up and went down to the Medina show, which was on the same weekend. The same thing, except there were a bunch of Dan Wessons (wish I'd never sold mine) in addition to the .38-44s.

I gave up and went back to the OGCA. Not five minutes after I walked in, I saw the 27-2 I'd been looking for, MAYBE 25' inside the first aisle of the show area.

You just have to keep your eyes open... unless you're in NE Ohio looking for a 3" Model 13, in which case you're just SOL!
 
murphydog said:
A gun stamped model 23 would be a very rare bird, is that what your FFL saw?
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SCSW guesses that total model-marked production of this gun is less than 100, and that includes the 23-1 and 23-2 variants. I could easily see $2750 for such a gun, maybe even more if it is one of the dash variants. In the last couple of years, I have seen several nice Pre-23s but only one model-marked 23 go by on the usual auction/sales sites.

If this is a Pre-23, it is overpriced by about $1000.

It would be nice to know the serial number.
 
The only stamped Model 23 I've ever seen or heard of was listed on GunBroker for a long time. It was being sold by Parker Gun Shop in Cutoff, LA. The serial number is S177912. I believe the price started out around $4000 and ended up below $3000.
 
I spoke with the gentleman who is selling the gun. It is a Pre War .38-44 Outdoorsman, and has never been fired since leaving the factory. Sorry for the confusion.
 
If it has the blue picture box, a mint prewar OD could still be worth $2750. Without the box that seems a little steep.

Last year I paid way more than that for one with the original box, ivory stocks, an original grip adapter and McGivern gold bead front sight with King U-notch white-outline rear.
 
I was just about to call ! I would love to find a nice model-stamped Model 23 ! :) :)

I have only seen two !

Jerry
 
I don't understand why a stamped model number would be more valuable than a pre gun,its the same gun.I have a pre 24 which is worth less than a stamped 24.what is the difference?there were only 5,050 of the pre 24 and 24 produced.If you look at a model 29 its the other way around with the pre 29 worth more.I think its a bunch of hog wash on the model stamping deal.In my way of thinking, the older the gun the more its worth. Lowhog :D
 
lowhog said:
I don't understand why a stamped model number would be more valuable than a pre gun,its the same gun.I have a pre 24 which is worth less than a stamped 24.what is the difference?there were only 5,050 of the pre 24 and 24 produced.If you look at a model 29 its the other way around with the pre 29 worth more.I think its a bunch of hog wash on the model stamping deal.In my way of thinking, the older the gun the more its worth. Lowhog :D
Click to expand...

I believe in this case, pre Model 23 vs. Model 23, there were only several hundred Model 23's made, hence the value.
 
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The only difference between a pre 23 and a model 23 was the stamping of the model number in 1957.there was no engineering change intill the 23-1 when they changed the extractor rod thread.In my opinion the prewar outdoorsman was the cream of the crop, and should be valued as such.I'll take a prewar smith over a postwar gun any day of the week.compare the s&w n frame numbers to the colt 45 auto.how can they value the colt 45 auto so high when there were truck loads of these produced.Regards Lowhog:D
 
It all depends on why you are buying the Outdoorsman ! If you want it as a smooth as glass shooter the pre-war would be my choice as well. But, if you want the gun as a collector the model-marked 23 is so extremely rare it commands a premium price. It is the same idea as a 5" vs. a 6.5" pre-war Outdoorsman. The 5" is valuable because of it rarity.

These are easy to find:
orig.jpg

These are not:
standard.jpg


Jerry
 
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