38-44 question

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nthrut9

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I have a chance to acquire a S&W early 6.5" barrel, 5 screw, serial number 81946, 38/44 Outdoorsman, in pristine external condition. Any internal worn parts have recently been replaced, and the pistol has not been fired since. Also, has Hogue wooden finger groove grips ( original grips are not available). Cylinders are not lengthened for .357 magnum. Any idea what this is approximately worth? Any input would be appreciated. Pics in a post below. Thanks.
 
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Is it a .38/44 Heavy Duty or a .38/44 Outdoorsman? Makes a big difference. The non-original grips may also depress value. Also, have the chambers been lengthened to accept .357? What is the asking price? BTW, no .38/44 would have a four-digit SN.
 
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38-44

Frame is large, like an N frame. I don't have access to serial #, just what I am told. Got pics, but don't know how to post here. Don't think chambers have been altered. This is part of an offer of 4 pistols in trade, for a rifle I own. just trying to get some idea of minimum value. I will probably post for sale here, if I get it. Below is email link w/ 3 pics of this pistol.

Gmail

Any help would be appreciated.
 
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Both are N frames. The HD has fixed sights, the Outdoorsman has an adjustable rear sight, and is the direct predecessor to the .357 Magnum. That's why the Outdoorsman usually brings somewhat more than an HD. I am not sure if the HD was offered with a 6-1/2" barrel. I don't think so, so it may well be an Outdoorsman. Without the SN or some pictures, we really can't tell much about this particular .38/44. Best to try to seat a .357 Mag empty case in the chambers to tell for sure if the chambers have been elongated. For a high-condition collectible grade gun, that will make a significant difference in value. Not so much for a shooter-grade gun. Better to know than to guess. The non-original grips are also likely to be a significant problem. A good pair of pre-WWII factory grips can be quite valuable. Assuming the gun is pre-WWII, which it may not be.
 
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"... 4 digit serial number 38-44."

Don't think there is such a thing. The .38/44 started at serial number 35037. It did not have its own serial number range. It was part of the pre WW II N frame series.

Make sure the SN is coming from the butt of the revolver.
 
Or this one?
Outdoorsman-1.jpg
 
The Heavy Duty was produced in 4, 5 & 6.5 inch barrels. 6.5 inch are rare in post war guns. Outdoorsman was standard with 6.5". And as already stated there are no four digit HDs or Outdoorsman.
 
38-44

DWalt said:
Is it a .38/44 Heavy Duty or a .38/44 Outdoorsman? Makes a big difference. The non-original grips may also depress value. Also, have the chambers been lengthened to accept .357? What is the asking price? BTW, no .38/44 would have a four-digit SN.
Click to expand...

Chambers have not been lengthened.
 
38-44

Thanks, PILGRIM, finally figured out how to post pics, w/ help from member SFIDEC, here. I'll be 70 next month, and of all things I've lost, I miss my mind the most........
 
S81946 indicates 1951 manufacture, probably late 1951 shipment. I'll leave a better value estimation to someone else, but without the original grips, it would probably take $1000-1200 to buy one like it. Essentially the same gun became the Model 23 in the late 1950s. A pre-war Outdoorsman with original grips might be $1500-$2000, and possibly more.
 
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Thanks. If I get it, will probably offer it for sale on this site.
 
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