Well-Used, Modified 38/44 Outdoorsman

[RKmesa]

A lot of my collection is comprised of nicely engraved S&Ws. HOWEVER, I also have an extreme fondness for, and a collection of well-used (but not abused) and purposefully modified S&W revolvers. One of the primary reasons that I collect the engraved and well-used/modified guns is that with the engraving, the modifications and the wear, each of them becomes unique and somewhat one-of-a-kind. That differs from the pristine unmolested new-in-the-box guns in my collection (which I love as well) that have little to make them unique from any other new-in-the-box pristine gun of the same model and configuration.

Here is one of my latest acquisitions - a modified and VERY well-used 38/44 Outdoorsman Revolver, SN S78600. It most likely shipped in late 1950, based on another 38/44 O/D I own that is only 3 SNs lower (S78597 shipped in October 1950). It came to me in a gold period correct box that bears SN S147690 on the bottom, and arrived to my home for just under $550 (purchase price, shipping, insurance and FFL fees). This is another reason I love the modified/well-used guns - the price is much more manageable.

When I received it, it was wearing a set of worn (and boring) checkered target grips from the 1970s. After an hour of cleaning (even though this gun was pretty clean when I picked it up) and playing musical grips with the grips in "my grip box", I settled on a set of bigmtnman elk stags that just looked "right" on this gun.

Here are some iPhone photos :





Notice the "drill press triple-porting" on each side of the barrel tip and the modified front sight (most likely left the factory with a Patridge FS, that has now been ramped with some red paint applied)...





... then there is the cut-away and smoothed area on the front right side of the trigger guard (similar to the trigger guard on the 1973 Texas Ranger Commemorative 19-3)...





And then there is the overall wear on the gun that shows the high-edge silvering that comes with countless times in and out of a holster. I sure wish I knew some of the history of this gun.

... oh - and then there is the fact that it is a nice complement to my 2.5" 19-3 that is also "drill press triple-ported" on each side of the barrel...







Perhaps I am in the minority - being drawn to these well-used gems... but I don't think so. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this gun and see photos of any of your well-used and modified S&Ws.

 

[bdGreen]

Ha.
Thought I would throw this one in because we all know everyone is expecting something a little different from 'RKmesa'.

Sans the extra holes.

enjoy,
bdGreen

 

[mchom]

38/44 OD

Here's mine
Barrel shortened to 4.5, front sight modified and previous owner embellished it. I added the Ram horn stocks. Shows wear.

I love working guns with period modifications.

Thanks for sharing your other side Richard

 

[RKmesa]

Thought I would throw this one in because we all know everyone is expecting something a little different from 'RKmesa'. Sans the extra holes.

Bruce, just like mine, that one is also "nicely silvered" on the high edges... and on ALL the rest of the parts. Remind me of the story surrounding that Outdoorsman. The engraving looks to be Tommy Freyburger - but he was not at the factory in the 1950s when that gun was produced. I assume that sometime in the 1970s it made a trip back to the factory for the engraving and nickel? In addition to a bit more of the gun's history, I would LOVE for you to post a few more photos...

 

[Oscarflytyer]

Same as you on all mine! My particular 38/44 came with a letter/shipped 1/9/1939 - day the Blitzkrieg into Poland kicked off. And came from same area where it was shipped to. It has what I thought was a set of factory presentation grips - but instead turned out to be a set of high end Keith Brown grips - they are beautiful! The one thing that makes it well-used/modified - it has a person's name engraved on the grip strap. And the price was def right! Right up my alley (and prob would be yours too!).

 

[Frailer]

I've often heard the phrase, "Buy the gun, not the story." But I like stories, and modifications are often part of that story.

Clearly a previous owner of this very early Centennial wanted to be able to reload quickly with a speedloader, which makes me assume it was a primary rather than a backup gun. This revolver originally shipped to San Francisco, so perhaps its first owner was a SFPD detective who had a different approach to firearms than Harry Callahan would a couple of decades later.

 

[bdGreen]

Bruce, just like mine, that one is also "nicely silvered" on the high edges... and on ALL the rest of the parts. Remind me of the story surrounding that Outdoorsman. The engraving looks to be Tommy Freyburger - but he was not at the factory in the 1950s when that gun was produced. I assume that sometime in the 1970s it made a trip back to the factory for the engraving and nickel? In addition to a bit more of the gun's history, I would LOVE for you to post a few more photos...

I purchased this and a few others from the gentleman that commissioned the work done at Smith and Wesson. He was one of the original members of the S&W Collector's Association.
He was tight with Ray's Police Supply and handled his requests through their avenue to the factory.

Yes, is a Tommy Freyburger gun. I actually spoke to Tommy about it and secured verification.

It is a beautiful piece done by a Master Engraver.

I have three of his pieces and am proud to be in possession of them.

 

[Modified]

Perhaps I am in the minority - being drawn to these well-used gems... but I don't think so. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this gun and see photos of any of your well-used and modified S&Ws.

I can't help you with that, I don't own any such guns.


Seriously though. I can't really speak too much to your guns, I like them but they are a bit out of my knowledge. So much so in fact that I have a question;

How do you like the porting?

Is it sort of like the Fitz job; trendy but ultimately not worth it?

Or do you really notice a difference when shooting?

 

[RKmesa]

I can't help you with that, I don't own any such guns.

HaHa - you are the king of nicely modified guns. And I love your collection.

How do you like the porting?

Is it sort of like the Fitz job; trendy but ultimately not worth it?

Or do you really notice a difference when shooting?

I have no real objective way to measure if the porting helps. I have not shot the O/D yet, but I have shot the little 2.5" Model 19. It could be purely psychological, but the porting does seem to help - the recoil on the little guy is very manageable. But more than that it pegs the cool meter when you light off some 357s at dusk - quite the muzzle flash.

 

[mikepriwer]

Richard

Most likely, that blade on your gun is factory. I have a 38/44 Outdoorsman that went back to the factory to have the barrel shortened to 4". Roy told me that he had seen people in the service department making those blades by hand, so as to get the right height. The one on my gun looks pretty-much like yours.

Regards, Mike

 

[Bald1]

I too like a story. I am definitely not of the mind things have to be factory original on any gun. Old cars yes. Guns no. But I can't help but wonder why OPs gun is not classified as BUBBA'd ?????? I mean someone took a drill press to it. That's pretty extreme. I'm not criticizing the gun. I like it. I just think it's funny what is deemed acceptable and what completely ruins a gun.

 

[raljr1]

Oh, Richard, we knew you had to have SOME guns that you could shoot.

 

[Truckman]

I just think it's funny what is deemed acceptable and what completely ruins a gun.

Agreed...No gun was ever ruined that still serves a purpose for its owner......Ben

 

[A10]

Though I find the porting on a .38 special Nframe amusing, I doubt it actually helped with muzzle flip. It was truly the "thing" back in the day though.

I really Really like properly cared for and well used firearms!

 

[quinn]

Richard, have you no concern that those rufians won't contaminate the bloodlines that run in your gun safe?

 

[Iggy]

I spent an afternoon shooting with Bill Jordan and the trigger guard of his model 19 was modified like that first gun in this thread.

He had huge hands and he had to modify the trigger guard to be able to get his finger in place quickly.

 

[The Gila Bender]

I love your OD Rich!

 

[mtgianni]

I am not a fan of porting just because of the noise factor. I am however, intrigued by the looks of that 38-44 and would consider it a useful part of any collection.

 

[22lrfan]

I only have one modified S&W, a 1909 TL. 6 1/2" barrel was cut to 4", a new front sight and rib added and an adjustable rear sight added. I have no idea who did the work or when it was done.

 

[Modified]

I only have one modified S&W, a 1909 TL. 6 1/2" barrel was cut to 4", a new front sight and rib added and an adjustable rear sight added. I have no idea who did the work or when it was done.

You can date the work somewhat by the era the rear sight comes from. That's a post war sight, and some of the features on it may date it further.

At a glance it looks like a 1960s-70's style upgrade.