S&W 38/44

[Korm357]

Hello, new to the forum. I have an opportunity to purchase this 38/44 in box. It also has the cleaning kit but not pictured. S prefix so post war. What are these going for currently?

Thanks!

 

[SSGRock]

Very nice, hope you enjoy.

 

[s&wchad]

I bought one last year for $1,000 and thought I stole it!
It's probably worth about $2,000+/-.

The tool kit with a steel rod and cellophane bag is probably worth $200 alone.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

That’s the most complete one I ever saw!
(But I don’t get out much).

 

[DWalt]

The .38/44 Outdoorsman model is the most desirable of the .38/44 breed. You might check to see if its chambers have been lengthened to accept .357 Magnum ammunition. I doubt that .38/44 has been modified but it is worth checking to be 100% sure. What is the SN?

 

[Gun Relics]

Hello, new to the forum. I have an opportunity to purchase this 38/44 in box. It also has the cleaning kit but not pictured. S prefix so post war. What are these going for currently?

Thanks!

I'm thinking this was made early 1950's. The box looks like average condition and probably worth $175 - $200. Tools, if similar to the package Chad showed - about the same. The gun looks good, has some wear and use figure between "very good" and "excellent". Probably $1400 - $1500 would be a decent package price.

 

[Gun Relics]

I bought one last year for $1,000 and thought I stole it!
It's probably worth about $2,000+/-.

The tool kit with a steel rod and cellophane bag is probably worth $200 alone.

That's a beautiful package and you absolutely STOLE it. So nice to get that feeling once in a while.

 

[Korm357]

The .38/44 Outdoorsman model is the most desirable of the .38/44 breed. You might check to see if its chambers have been lengthened to accept .357 Magnum ammunition. I doubt that .38/44 has been modified but it is worth checking to be 100% sure. What is the SN?

Thanks! How would I accurately check to determine if the chamber had been lengthened? I understand why people did it, I don’t know how to check for it.

 

[series guy]

easiest way is to insert a .357 round and see if it fits.

 

[DWalt]

Either a .357 fired case or a loaded cartridge. I don’t consider elongated chambers to be a deal killer for an average to lower condition .38/44, but it would negatively affect the value of a high condition specimen as it makes the revolver non-original.

 

[22hipower]

The 6.5 inch is rare, more so in the pre-war model but post war is rare too. I think that is a $2k+ package, maybe $3k if a couple knowledgeable collectors wanted it. I recently paid $1300 for a 6.5 (just the gun) showing wear which went originally to the Washington State Patrol and felt fortunate to find it.

 

[dobegrant]

Very nice, if reasonable I would buy it

 

[robertrwalsh]

Very very nice. I have one not nearly as nice as yours I picked up, gun only, a couple of years ago for (if memory serves) right around $900 and I considered that to be a very fair price. I would put yours at the $1,500 plus level. If it is as nice as the photos look $2k would not be unreasonable.

 

[blue71]

Wow, the box and accessories too! Awesome!

 

[Korm357]

Either a .357 fired case or a loaded cartridge. I don’t consider elongated chambers to be a deal killer for an average to lower condition .38/44, but it would negatively affect the value of a high condition specimen as it makes the revolver non-original.

Loaded cartridge did not fit. Chambers not lengthened. Thanks for the advice!