A local seller is advertising this gun for $300. He says the nickel finish has some pitting but that the bore and cylinders are good and lockup is tight. The original grips are not with the gun.

I'm thinking about picking it up as a shooter, but I don't know if that pitting makes it worth the $300 he's asking. I do think I'm going to ask for better pictures.

Your thoughts?

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NRA Endowment Member

That's aftermarket nickle plating, and the pitting appears under the nickle. I'd be very hesitant to pay over $175 to $225 for it, and I really wouldn't be interested "except" for the existence of the half target front sight. It might be original, or it could have been created by someone with a file.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

As a "shooter" I'd buy it. Unlike so many here (S&W Forum) I never see N-frames for under $500, anywhere. A working N-frame for $300 seems like a good deal to me. But then I'm not much of a wheeler-dealer either. Good thing I'm not in the gun business...I'd go broke!

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

I'd want to see it in person first, then If you want it as a shooter make an offer that leaves room to haggle, $225-250.
John

Haha. I've been watching that one too. If you don't buy it let me know what you think of it.

Not sure what it's worth personnally but like someone else said I never see N frames for under $500.

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Caretaker of a small herd.

FYI - he's now listing it for $275.

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Caretaker of a small herd.

I don't know why anyone is hesitating-if it locks up, the grips and finish are what they are, but you would have a functional, shooting HD for a song. Try and find a new 38 for 275!
Bill

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38-44heavyduty.com

I'm meeting him tomorrow morning and if it locks up OK and has a decent bore then I'm buying it.

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NRA Endowment Member

And of you are looking for a project gun, that would be a great candidate!

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Even older, even crankier....

Where in Northern Kentucky? And all he's asking is $275 now? Be careful that one doesn't slip through your fingers. My best guess is you won't be seeing any others for that kind of money. It was probably fair at $500.

We do have some dim bulbs living around here, but chances to steal a prewar N don't come every day, or year even.

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Dick Burg

Buy it! Then send it to Ford's to get restored

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Cheers, Charles
SWCA #2442

No matter what as long as it functions it is an incredible price! An old used taurus 85 costs that much

Worth $275? You tell me. Action and lockup are solid.

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NRA Endowment Member

A couple more from an angle that isn't quite as flattering.

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NRA Endowment Member

Looks decent to me. Looks like anything wrong with it is just cosmetic.

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Caretaker of a small herd.

It is worth what you paid for it, plus. You did GOOD. These are scarce in my neck of the woods and one a year at a gun show is a bunch. The only ones I ever see are at the big gun shows like Louisville or Lakeland and on the net. I'll bet she is a good shooter. Enjoy!

For $275 you got a very solid gun. Go to the gun counter and look what $275 buys today. That kind of workmanship and quality is worth more than you paid. Have fun and shoot the daylights out of it!

It's been used, probably an interesting story or two behind those age marks....

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Even older, even crankier....

According to the Standard Catalog the gun dates to 1934.

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NRA Endowment Member

That ole girl has some bad rust pits. It's not in very good condition but it's got a major advantage;
that's just flat out cool !

For the coin, that's a great piece !!

Thats about the most mature perspective I've read here in a while. The simple fact seems to be that guns aren't cheap these days. Not as cheap ast the 1970s, or the 1990s. They didn't make nearly enough of these good old prewar guns. Now the sellers seem to be asking fair prices, at least when compared to the plastic junk being sold along side them.

If you're like Bill Pattison and own half the known production, buying one that clearly is a shooter might not make sense. But its still a very sound gun that will probably work on, long after many of us are dead. My guess is that a gun made in the early to mid 1930s has had at least 3 or 4 owners. I'd also guess they really liked the gun. Now it starts another life and it will probably still give better service than most things made today.

The buyer got his money's worth and then some. If he keeps it 10 years he'll get more back. Probably more than if he put it in a savings account and forgot it.

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Dick Burg

Ya think.................Maybe that's why the front sight has been notched.

Yes he did. In spades.

Sure it's not primo but it's a fully functional HD and that's what makes it cool. I like it !!

Well...it's a shooter!

4.5 gr Unique, 160 gr Lee cast FP, 25 yards

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NRA Endowment Member

Try some real 38/44s in it (158g @ 1100-1150 fps). It will give you a whole new appreciation for that old warrior.

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

Just wondering if you have taken off the grips yet. It has obviously been refinished but I am wondering if therenis an N on the grip frame. Nickle pre war 38/44 are a bit less common.