Is this a grail Outdoorsman?

[AZ Rebel]

Hello, I'm new in joining the forum but not reading it. Last year I was the winning bid on this pre war Outdooorsman. It was listed as an HD. I poured over the listed photos, and I was convinced that it was obviously not an HD but a McGivern Outdoorsman. Being mislabeled it didn't receive much bid action. Am I S&W Lotto ticket holder with an original McGivern OD? It has the McGivern bead site and the barrel has no evidence of being cut. The grips it came with were 70s vintage magnas without the screw! I replaced them with 50s vintage magnas. Serial # is 1934 range. What do y'all think? BTW S&W letter has been sent for. Thank y'all!

 

[robertrwalsh]

Probably not, but......If I had that puppy I would sure as the devil letter it. It's kind of like buying a lottery ticket. You will probably not win, but if you do, you may win big. And you have a primo shooter in any case. CONGRATS. Good luck. (Kind of like the lady who went to the Harley dealer to buy a couple of parts for an old bike she just bought. They asked her the serial number, did a little checking and then made a modestly attractive offer to buy the bike sight unseen. She got suspicious and did a little checking. The original owner was some kid named Elvis Presley.)

 

[bower]

From what I can see the rear adjustable sight looks like it was added later as the top of the frame was not cut for the sight. Does the barrel serial # match the serial on the butt?

 

[Sebago Son]

I would suspect a rework of a much more common 5" Heavy Duty.... have you check the frame under the stocks for a rework code / date? From what era is the serial number dating the gun?

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum! Did you check the barrel for a serial number? BTW, will you share the butt-frame number?

 

[H Richard]

Welcome to these guys, they know what they are talking about. The rear sight does look like it was added to a Heavy Duty. Could you show a top down picture of the rear of the gun ? Looks like a great shooter.

 

[Retired W4]

The front sight base appears to be forged to the barrel and the Smith & Wesson stamping on the left side seems to be correct for the barrel length. We await the posting of the letter (and a top down picture of the rear sight).

 

[handejector]

Are the gripstraps grooved? More pics would be nice.

 

[80sgyrene]

The front sight base appears to be forged to the barrel and the Smith & Wesson stamping on the left side seems to be correct for the barrel length. We await the posting of the letter (and a top down picture of the rear sight).

It is, but the blade has been replaced. Probably started life as a 5" Heavy Duty and someone added the target sights.
You can see the pin in the front base holding the new sight.
Good looking gun.

 

[handejector]

I see nothing to indicate that it is a converted Heavy Duty. The McGivern front sight is expertly fitted and pinned from what I can see. The rear sight is also perfectly fitted. But, if the Factory converted a HD, both sights would look that good. I can't tell if the gripstraps are grooved as they should be.
More pics would help tell us if it is a McGivern or a converted HD.

 

[spin132]

Here is a pic of the rear sight on a 1934 Outdoorsman for comparison -

Mike

 

[AZ Rebel]

Sorry for the delay Gentlemen. Serial numbers match, frame, barrel and cylinder. There is a small "B" within the ejector rod recess on the barrel. If I remember right, there's a "B" on one side of the grip frame, and a "E" on the other. Both hidden by the replacement grips. Both front and back straps are groove milled. I see no evidence that the S&W target rear site was fitted into a site groove if this had been a HD. I can post specific photos if needed. Thanks guys!

 

[SS336]

Wow, nice find that is.
Looks legit to me, but my knowledge isn't up to the gentleman posting. But I would of grabbed that like a hobo grabbing a ham sandwich

 

[22hipower]

Looks like an OD to me, the rear sight and the grooves in the grip strap cinch it. I'd sure get that request for a letter in the mail.

 

[handejector]

Ding-Ding-Ding-Jackpot!!!
One more pic- LEFT side (thumblatch side) of gripframe under the grip.

 

[wheelgun610]

Sorry for the delay Gentlemen. Serial numbers match, frame, barrel and cylinder. There is a small "B" within the ejector rod recess on the barrel. If I remember right, there's a "B" on one side of the grip frame, and a "E" on the other. Both hidden by the replacement grips. Both front and back straps are groove milled. I see no evidence that the S&W target rear site was fitted into a site groove if this had been a HD. I can post specific photos if needed. Thanks guys!

Everything I see in these photos looks righteous to me. Nothing is certain till you receive the factory letter, but I feel safe saying you hit a home run.

Welcome to the forum. You sure made a grand entry.

Mark

 

[AZ Rebel]

There is an "S" stamped on the left grip frame near the grip anchor pin. On the right there is a "B" stamped near the tie of the grip frame. I've used a loupe and did not find any other markings. I can't see anything that would suggest that this isn't factory original, other than the grips. The cylinder is not reamed for .357. I've read that there are 37 documented Mcgivern ODs out of 50-200 produced. I hope this is #38! I await the S&W letter!

 

[DCWilson]

Both 44389 and 44411, only a few SNs away from the OP's gun, are known McGivern ODs. The closest earlier serial number is about 500 distant. The closest McGivern OD on the high side is about 2000 further away. It seems quite possible to me that the company may have made up 10-20 of these at one time in response to a flurry of orders arriving in a close group. I'm guessing the OP's gun is a legitimate special order, and well worth a letter.

I have 46207, which shipped in November 1935. 44411 mentioned above shipped in February of that year. That hints at when this gun may have left the factory.

 

[AZ Rebel]

Ding-Ding-Ding-Jackpot!!!
One more pic- LEFT side (thumblatch side) of gripframe under the grip.

I'm curious, what tell tale clue are you looking for?

 

[80sgyrene]

Awesome find and congrats OP!
Looks like you have an original McGivern!