Did anyone buy this pre-war 38/44 Outdoorsman?

[6string]

I was watching an interesting S&W on gunbroker and was sorely tempted. It closed yesterday at a user-friendly price.

Here's the auction reference number: 929661173
(for some reason, can't post the link)

It's a pre-war 38/44 Outdoorsman with a short action conversion.
There's a photo of it with the customized long spur hammer at "full cock".
With the conversion that's a little over half what you'd expect!
One of the remarkable images shows the left side of the frame with a second hammer stud added right next to the original.

Just wondering if anyone here was the winner?
Sure would be nice to hear more about it!

 

[moosedog]

That was a great price.

 

[younggun22]

I was looking at it as well, does it look like a possible refinish to anyone else? I see that the stud hasn't been flattened but it just seems "off"

 

[6string]

If you look at the added hammer stud, it appears that the hole is slightly countersunk and blued. So, a refinish seems likely. But, given the extensive custom work, original finish is a moot point.
If so, whoever did the finish really knew their business!
The front sight appears to have a flush (gold?) bead. I'm guessing that was not factory either?

 

[DCWilson]

This is a rarely seen but known modification to prewar .38/44s. Relocating the hammer stud slightly above and back from the factory position is what shortens the lock time.

Here are a couple of old threads about guns with this modification:

Pre-War Outdoorsman Short Action Pics Inside Edition (photos now lost, unfortunately)

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...hrow-post137301415.html?323525=#post137301415

This short-throw design seems to have been the work of Los Angeles gunsmith J.D. Buchanan. King Gun Sight Co. also offered a short-throw modification that involved a redesigned hammer rather than a relocated stud. It is possible that King experimented with the Buchanan design before going with the modified hammer. The hammer on the recently sold revolver looks something like a King hammer, but seems slightly off in its profile. Perhaps others who are more familiar with King hammers can address the question.

 

[mikepriwer]

The front sight is a Call gold bead blade. The lustrous deep blue on the gun suggests, to me, that its been refinished. Maybe that is the reason for the low price, but its also possible that the short throw hammer modification had something to do with that, as well.

Mike Priwer

 

[6string]

This is a rarely seen but known modification to prewar .38/44s. Relocating the hammer stud slightly above and back from the factory position is what shortens the lock time.

Here are a couple of old threads about guns with this modification:

Pre-War Outdoorsman Short Action Pics Inside Edition (photos now lost, unfortunately)

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...hrow-post137301415.html?323525=#post137301415

This short-throw design seems to have been the work of Los Angeles gunsmith J.D. Buchanan. King Gun Sight Co. also offered a short-throw modification that involved a redesigned hammer rather than a relocated stud. It is possible that King experimented with the Buchanan design before going with the modified hammer. The hammer on the recently sold revolver looks something like a King hammer, but seems slightly off in its profile. Perhaps others who are more familiar with King hammers can address the question.

Thanks for the info and links.
Apparently, I had read one of them (and "liked" it) some time ago. Yet, I seemed to have forgotten all about it.
Wish I'd have refreshed my memory before, instead of after, the auction ended!