EDITED 4/21/09 TO ADD DETAILS FROM FACTORY LETTER:
Shipped on 7/19/1956 to Basche-Sage Hardware Co., Baker, Oregon.
I bought this gun in San Diego, so in the course of its life it moved south about 800 miles. But it doesn't look like anybody shot it along the way.
DCW
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Today I took delivery of the .38/44 Outdoorsman Model of 1950 (Pre-Model 23) that I paid for a couple of weeks ago. The price was fairly high, so I was half expecting to feel some buyer's remorse once I had it in my hands. To my astonishment, I feel no remorse at all. It's more like buyer's satisfaction or even buyer's elation. This is a pretty nice gun, even if I say so myself. My happiness is strong enough to make up for the fact that the stocks are not numbered to the gun and the box (though appropriate) may not be the original box that this revolver came in. More on that below.
Details: S144228, shipped from the factory in July of 1956. (My thanks to Roy Jinks for this date.) Frame, cylinder and barrel are numbered alike. High polish finish; standard width (i.e., non-target) hammer and trigger. The adjustable sights are not upgraded -- rear has no white outline, front blade has no bead. The Diamond Magnas are numbered 122657, so if anyone out there has that N-frame -- I have your stocks. Ultimately I think I may put some coke bottle stocks on this gun. I know that will not reflect any original configuration, but the current stocks, though appropriate in style, already aren't right in terms of numbering. If you can't dress it authentically, you might as well dress it up.
Nice geometry in the overhead view.
Easy to read the serial...
Same number on the cylinder.
Recoil Shield shows little wear.
After the light turn ring, the worst damage on the gun is the scrape on the left ramp edge near the front sight.
Looks good ready for action.
And the box. That is this gun's serial number on the bottom of the box, but the number seems to be written in ball point or fiber tip ink rather than grease pencil -- an anachronism. I conclude the number was added to the box years after it was first sold. I can't even be sure this is this gun's original box, though some internal scuffing and staining indicate this gun and this box have been together for some time.
The gun came with no tools. It has no cards or other printed enclosures. There is a crumpled sheet of anti rust paper. That's it.
I am extremely pleased.
[Edited 3/3/09 to clarify language and add a couple of details.]
[Edited again 4/21/09 to add new info from factory letter.]
David Wilson
Shipped on 7/19/1956 to Basche-Sage Hardware Co., Baker, Oregon.
I bought this gun in San Diego, so in the course of its life it moved south about 800 miles. But it doesn't look like anybody shot it along the way.
DCW
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Today I took delivery of the .38/44 Outdoorsman Model of 1950 (Pre-Model 23) that I paid for a couple of weeks ago. The price was fairly high, so I was half expecting to feel some buyer's remorse once I had it in my hands. To my astonishment, I feel no remorse at all. It's more like buyer's satisfaction or even buyer's elation. This is a pretty nice gun, even if I say so myself. My happiness is strong enough to make up for the fact that the stocks are not numbered to the gun and the box (though appropriate) may not be the original box that this revolver came in. More on that below.
Details: S144228, shipped from the factory in July of 1956. (My thanks to Roy Jinks for this date.) Frame, cylinder and barrel are numbered alike. High polish finish; standard width (i.e., non-target) hammer and trigger. The adjustable sights are not upgraded -- rear has no white outline, front blade has no bead. The Diamond Magnas are numbered 122657, so if anyone out there has that N-frame -- I have your stocks. Ultimately I think I may put some coke bottle stocks on this gun. I know that will not reflect any original configuration, but the current stocks, though appropriate in style, already aren't right in terms of numbering. If you can't dress it authentically, you might as well dress it up.
Nice geometry in the overhead view.
Easy to read the serial...
Same number on the cylinder.
Recoil Shield shows little wear.
After the light turn ring, the worst damage on the gun is the scrape on the left ramp edge near the front sight.
Looks good ready for action.
And the box. That is this gun's serial number on the bottom of the box, but the number seems to be written in ball point or fiber tip ink rather than grease pencil -- an anachronism. I conclude the number was added to the box years after it was first sold. I can't even be sure this is this gun's original box, though some internal scuffing and staining indicate this gun and this box have been together for some time.
The gun came with no tools. It has no cards or other printed enclosures. There is a crumpled sheet of anti rust paper. That's it.
I am extremely pleased.
[Edited 3/3/09 to clarify language and add a couple of details.]
[Edited again 4/21/09 to add new info from factory letter.]
David Wilson
