About 10 years ago an acquaintance of mine offered to sell me a transitional .38/44 Outdoorsman that he had purchased from the local gun store where he worked. IIRC, this Outdoorsman was missing the entire rear sight assembly and the original stocks, and was in ~85% condition. I offered him $800 (I thought it was a fair offer back then), which he immediately refused saying that it was worth much more $ than that. I really didn't need to add this piece to my modest collection, so I didn't make another offer. Fast forward to last week, when this acquaintance happened to be talking to my son, said he still had the Outdoorsman, and would I be interested in buying it. As far as I know, he hasn't made any repairs or replaced any of the missing parts. I see .38/44 Outdoorsman listed on GB for $1800+ in VG condition, which this one is certainly not. I'm sorry that I don't have any more info (s/n, current condition, etc.) right now that might help, but I would appreciate some feedback on what some of you knowledgeable Forum members think this revolver might be worth. Just a ballpark price would be great. Thanks.
Need some advice on .38/44 Outdoorsman value
- Thread starter Hawg Rider
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Modified
Member
Really hard to ballpark it without pictures.
When you say 85% and missing original stocks/rear sight alarm bells go off in my head. I can't say as I have seen many guns missing the rear sight that don't have other...less obvious...things going on with them.
The big thing though is that I can't tell from your post if you even really *want* this gun. With the condition issues you have described this is no longer a "collector piece". It's not an investment, nor is it something that would be particularly easy to sell down the line at anything other than a deal.
The value of the gun is pretty much; "How much do I want to pay for a fun shooter"
Personally? Fun, early pre-war, N-Frame blasters with issues are in the ~$500-$600 range.
When you say 85% and missing original stocks/rear sight alarm bells go off in my head. I can't say as I have seen many guns missing the rear sight that don't have other...less obvious...things going on with them.
The big thing though is that I can't tell from your post if you even really *want* this gun. With the condition issues you have described this is no longer a "collector piece". It's not an investment, nor is it something that would be particularly easy to sell down the line at anything other than a deal.
The value of the gun is pretty much; "How much do I want to pay for a fun shooter"
Personally? Fun, early pre-war, N-Frame blasters with issues are in the ~$500-$600 range.
jmiles1960
Member
Seriously, people who base firearm values solely off what they find on GB are very misled. I recently acquired a nice 90% 38/44 for a $1000 this year, all complete and original. If this one is missing parts, etc... you may be better off looking elsewhere.
larryofcc
Member
Box? No mention of a box in some of the assessments. Tools either. These two items can raise the values up well over $1,500. Pics of mine are posted in another thread. I have a nice box, but the tools have eluded me.
I see where a poster says $1,800. Mine is a 98-99% revolver and I would not take double that figure for it. Big Larry
I see where a poster says $1,800. Mine is a 98-99% revolver and I would not take double that figure for it. Big Larry
THE PILGRIM
Member
Not one I would buy.
Sounds like the seller has an unrealistic value in mind.
And Those original parts can be hard to find and expensive.
Sounds like the seller has an unrealistic value in mind.
And Those original parts can be hard to find and expensive.
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Sounds to me like what you offered him 10 years ago is a fair price today.
Robert
Robert
$1800 sounds high to me.
38/44 not an Outdoorsman...but similar.
9 Bens about a year ago....I would call 90%.
38/44 not an Outdoorsman...but similar.
9 Bens about a year ago....I would call 90%.
OP
Thanks for the replies and sage advice.
No- truthfully it's not a revolver that I really want or need. However, if I could get it for a great price I wouldn't mind having it and restoring it (hopefully I could find the correct parts!). I failed to mention previously that it had a King's Cockeyed hammer on it, too. I'm thinking, like Forum member "Modified", that maybe $500-$600 would be the number...unless I find other issues when I get a chance to handle it again.
No- truthfully it's not a revolver that I really want or need. However, if I could get it for a great price I wouldn't mind having it and restoring it (hopefully I could find the correct parts!). I failed to mention previously that it had a King's Cockeyed hammer on it, too. I'm thinking, like Forum member "Modified", that maybe $500-$600 would be the number...unless I find other issues when I get a chance to handle it again.
Model19man
Member
There are some folks who would place a premium on King features like the one mentioned. Without pictures it's hard to know what you have or would have.
If it's not the one for you then stay away. Restoration projects can be expensive - usually it's better to buy in the condition you want.
If it's not the one for you then stay away. Restoration projects can be expensive - usually it's better to buy in the condition you want.
Sounds like the seller found out in the last ten years, how hard and expensive it would be to complete the gun.
Modified
Member
Yeah, may need some pictures if has a King Hammer. Could be something actually special in other ways if King had their mitts on it.
I was thinking the same thing. My trans OD with King cockeyed hammer has a short action conversion.
If a true 85% gun it might be worth switching it out on another gun.
If a true 85% gun it might be worth switching it out on another gun.
I'm thinking the 5-6 bills range is about right, with the higher end because of the hammer. Has the frame been drilled to mound an optic? Lots of times that is the cause of the missing rear sight. If it's drilled I'd say maybe 450-500, because in my mind that turns it into a project gun. It would be a good base for building a nice .44 special.....
If your acquaintance is still looking to sell the gun, then it is his responsibility to put a price on it. You tried it the other way 10 years ago, and look how that turned out.
I wouldn't let one unreached deal ruin a minor friendship because I would hope that other deals might work out in the future. But I wouldn't revisit an unsuccessful negotiation in which you believed the other side had unreasonable expectations. The proper action here is to tell the guy, "Thanks, but I'm not looking for one of those at the moment. I hope you get a good price when you take it to the broader market."
I wouldn't let one unreached deal ruin a minor friendship because I would hope that other deals might work out in the future. But I wouldn't revisit an unsuccessful negotiation in which you believed the other side had unreasonable expectations. The proper action here is to tell the guy, "Thanks, but I'm not looking for one of those at the moment. I hope you get a good price when you take it to the broader market."
