Pre War Outdoorsman Price

I would be interested in such a gun. I am not a collector but I like old S&Ws. I am interested in the opinions of those more knowledgable than I.

As long as the timing, endshake, and bore check out good, thats a fair price. With clean factory grips and 90% bluing, they seem to be right around $1000.

Assuming the gun is not in a state which restricts such things, that is a fair price. In a state like California, it would be a screaming deal.

Those grips are a crime against humanity. (Sorry. I just had to point that out.)

.38 Special said:

Those grips are a crime against humanity. (Sorry. I just had to point that out.)

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I agree, the grips are not pretty, but I bet they are comfortable when target shooting. I have a set of old wood Fitz grips for a square grip K- frame S&W that look like that. I switch them from one gun to another periodically. When shooting bullseye style it feels like the gun is holding my hand rather than my hand holding the gun. Not good for carry certainly, but fun nonetheless.

J-Bar said:

I agree, the grips are not pretty, but I bet they are comfortable when target shooting. I have a set of old wood Fitz grips for a square grip K- frame S&W that look like that. I switch them from one gun to another periodically. When shooting bullseye style it feels like the gun is holding my hand rather than my hand holding the gun. Not good for carry certainly, but fun nonetheless.View attachment 943054

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Those are a little bit like the Ruger target grips I have on my Mk II. The big shelf for the right thumb makes it a righty-only shooting proposition, but man are they comfy!

As for the OPs question, as the guys said if it’s mechanically sound those older S&Ws aren’t inexpensive at all. It’s not in awful shape, there is some pitting near the muzzle but the rest isn’t bad from that angle. $800-$850 is about where I would expect a .38/44 to go on GB in that condition.

If it’s one you’ll want to reblue, that’ll run roughly 300-500 depending on the level of polish, pitting and scratch repair the shop does for you. Some of the reblued guns I’ve seen seriously look and shoot as good as the day they were first boxed and shipped from Springfield. If it’s one for the grandkids someday I would definitely look into that.

Stay safe.

Those grips look like early Ropers.

-Stan

.38 Special said:

Assuming the gun is not in a state which restricts such things, that is a fair price. In a state like California, it would be a screaming deal.

Those grips are a crime against humanity. (Sorry. I just had to point that out.)

Click to expand...

Those ugly grips probably custom-fit the original owner’s hands like a glove, so the beauty would be in Form Following Function. A new owner would probably have different hands, so, yeah, replacement, or perhaps re-carving, would be necessary.