I have an opportunity to purchase a S&W Outdoorsman sn 12XXX. It looks to be 98% blue but am concerned it has been refinished. The case colors are excellent and I can't tell any wear at the muzzle. What I would like to know is what it's worth and is there any definite way I can tell about the bluing? OH yeah and when it was made.
38/44 Outdoorsman
- Thread starter salvadore
- Start date
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Salvadore:
I would expect that the serial number is preceded by an "S" (and an extra X - S12XXXX) and if so, it should/may look like the ones in this photo:
The top one has a set of aftermarket grips. These are both finished in the early post war mat finish. The SN will put the shipping date for the gun in the mid 1950's. There were some post war Outdoorsmans that were finished in a Bright Blue (High gloss) and the SN range that you gave has some Bright finish guns in it. In judging a refinish, definite signs to look for are:
* Over buffing of the square edges and the roll marks.
* Dishing of the screw holes.
* Factory rework marks (diamonds, stars, dates) stamped on the frame under the stocks.
* Brighter/duller blue than other S&Ws of that era.
Pricing on these guns in 98%+ Condition if original finish and all the numbered parts match is in the $1K to $1.5K range (depending on where you are located, what venue it is for sale on/at and how many willing bidders have $'s at the time it is available). If it comes with a numbered correct gold box, add another $200 or so.
Good Luck,
I would expect that the serial number is preceded by an "S" (and an extra X - S12XXXX) and if so, it should/may look like the ones in this photo:
The top one has a set of aftermarket grips. These are both finished in the early post war mat finish. The SN will put the shipping date for the gun in the mid 1950's. There were some post war Outdoorsmans that were finished in a Bright Blue (High gloss) and the SN range that you gave has some Bright finish guns in it. In judging a refinish, definite signs to look for are:
* Over buffing of the square edges and the roll marks.
* Dishing of the screw holes.
* Factory rework marks (diamonds, stars, dates) stamped on the frame under the stocks.
* Brighter/duller blue than other S&Ws of that era.
Pricing on these guns in 98%+ Condition if original finish and all the numbered parts match is in the $1K to $1.5K range (depending on where you are located, what venue it is for sale on/at and how many willing bidders have $'s at the time it is available). If it comes with a numbered correct gold box, add another $200 or so.
Good Luck,
Last edited:
DWalt
Member
12xxx on an N-frame would indicate it was from 1913-14, and Outdoorsmen did not yet exist. You may be looking an an assembly number.
Regarding a re-blue, a good "tell" is if the sideplate boundary is much more than a hairline.
Regarding a re-blue, a good "tell" is if the sideplate boundary is much more than a hairline.
Doug M.
Member
If it a REALLY well done re-blue, especially factory, the clues that have been mentioned may not be there. A factory refinish would be reflected by the markings that RKmesa suggested looking for. I suspect you need to a) look under the stocks, and get pictures of the grip frame, and b) get other photos, and then post them here so that the really qualified people (not me) can give you some help.
DWalt
Member
For reference the top gun in the photo is S78XXX range and the bottom one is in the S86XXX range.
Good luck,
