Hello Gents! This is my first thread and I'm looking for some information on a revolver that was given to me from a friend. It is a 4 screw hand ejector, 6 3/8 barrel, adjustable sights, 38 S&W Special ctg with a serial number of S146424. Some photos are attached. I'm guessing it's a K38, but I'll let you be the judge of that. Thanks for your help.
K 38?
- Thread starter dbrit1
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SVT28
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Lucky you! This actually is a 5 screw (screw at top of the side plate) post war 38/44 Outdoorsman, not a K38. The model you have, to most, is more sought after than any K38.
The differences mainly are your revolver is an N Frame and has a shrouded ejector barrel. Yours appears to be in excellent condition. It should have the serial on the butt matching the serial on the cylinder, barrel, extractor etc.
Cheers
SVT28
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The differences mainly are your revolver is an N Frame and has a shrouded ejector barrel. Yours appears to be in excellent condition. It should have the serial on the butt matching the serial on the cylinder, barrel, extractor etc.
Cheers
SVT28
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You have one very generous friend!
Oscar Zulu
Member
That looks to be a post war "Outdoorsman". Some would call it a "Pre 23". It is a N (Large) frame in .38 special. The K frame adjustable sighted revolvers have a K in the serial #, the N frames a S until they changed to an N in the late sixties I believe.
It looks to be in good shape, and is quite a revolver in it's own right. Much less common than a K-38.
Oscar Zulu
It looks to be in good shape, and is quite a revolver in it's own right. Much less common than a K-38.
Oscar Zulu
As mentioned, that is indeed a 38/44 Outdoorsman. It's built on S&W's 'N' frame which is the original frame size for their .44 caliber revolvers. Hence, a .38 caliber chambering on a .44 frame.
And, by the way, the barrel length is actually 6-1/2 inches.
Mark
And, by the way, the barrel length is actually 6-1/2 inches.
Mark
Last edited:
S146424 is probably from 1955. That is a very nice looking .38/44 Outdoorsman's revolver. Congratulations.
H Richard
US Veteran
That s/n would date to 1955-1956, and it would be considered a Pre Model 20. One of S&W's finest revolvers.
There were about 9500 of them made from 1950 to 1957 when they when they were designated the Model 20 and continued to be produced until 1966.
In this nice of condition, the current crazy market can see prices as high as $1500 to $2000.
There were about 9500 of them made from 1950 to 1957 when they when they were designated the Model 20 and continued to be produced until 1966.
In this nice of condition, the current crazy market can see prices as high as $1500 to $2000.
22hipower
Member
Very nice, they don't show up very often. Most were in a "satin" blue finish but some had the "bright blue." Can't tell for sure from your pictures which finish you have; 25% premium for the bright blue. Here's one from 1954.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
https://flic.kr/p/2n6XYkk \
Jeff
SWCA #1457
https://flic.kr/p/2n6XYkk \
Zarr
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Welcome from Western Massachusetts. Great first thread!
stansdds
Member
Welcome to the S&W Forums! You have made a grand entrance! That's quite a friend who would simply give you such a nice firearm.
Your 38 Special is not a K-38, as mentioned, yours was built on the larger, N-frame. Your Outdoorsman is perfectly safe with any 38 Special, 38 Special +P or even 38 Special +P+ ammo. Many of these 38/44 HD chambered revolvers were converted to 357 Magnum. If the cylinder in your revolver is still reamed for 38 Special, do not modify it as doing so will only damage the value of this fine revolver.
Your 38 Special is not a K-38, as mentioned, yours was built on the larger, N-frame. Your Outdoorsman is perfectly safe with any 38 Special, 38 Special +P or even 38 Special +P+ ammo. Many of these 38/44 HD chambered revolvers were converted to 357 Magnum. If the cylinder in your revolver is still reamed for 38 Special, do not modify it as doing so will only damage the value of this fine revolver.
OP
Gentlemen, thank you so much for the Intel. I will report this to my friend. It belonged to her husband who recently passed away. She will be interested to know. Thanks again.
Model19man
Member
I would guess $2000 based on the condition which looks to be very good. If she wants to sell it would be easy.
