S&W .38/44 Outdoorsman (Pre-war)

[FPrice]

There I was, entering one of the local gun stores. I had just barely cleared the door when the owner told the other guy working, "Show him that Smith.".

I knew I was in trouble. Almost as much trouble as the last time I ran into "No-neck" Tommy Barnes (see http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=98787 ).

I moved carefully to the counter as the guy pulled out a huge S&W revolver. I had never seen one like it, at least not in the real world. It was .38/44 Outdoorsman, the pre-war predecessor of the Model 23. Page 113 in Supica and Nahas. The serial number dated it to about late '33 or early '34. The blueing was the deep blue-black of early Smiths, with some muzzle wear and a very distinct dragline on the cylinder. A very nice double-action trigger pull with an almost non-existent single-action pull. 6 1/2 inches of barrel, patridge front sight and a target rear sight. A SMALL rear sight. Original grips.

The cylinder has a little play, rotates a little back and forth, and a tiny amount (1/16"?) of front and back play. Lock-up is oaky, not tight, but oaky.

$450 plus tax out the door. Should I? What say you fellow THR'ers.

 

[Old Fuff]

You didn't put down a deposit ???

The end play is easy to correct, and a middle-30's .38-44 Outdoorsman is about as close to a registered .357 Magnum as you can get without getting the Magnum itself. As it was intended to be a target revolver special care was taken in adjusting the action. However sales were relatively slow because of the Great Depression. Consequently they are seldom seen in the condition you describe - or for that matter in any condition. The value of classic S&W revolvers is only going in one direction, and you know what that is as well as I do. Money on the other hand keeps getting cheaper. What you are looking at is a safe queen that can still be shot so long as it's not abused.

You want egg in your beer ...?

 

[FPrice]

Old Fuff...

"You want egg in your beer ...?"

Actually I'd settle for a few more bucks in my checking account. That way I could get this without feeling so guilty.

Or is that without feeling so broke???

 

[ACORN]

IMHO, go for it. When have you had the chance before? You may never have it again. Eat pb&j's for lunch and store brand macaroni and cheese for dinner.

 

[Majic]

You mean you took the chance of leaving it there to ask us?

 

[grendelbane]

I made a similar mistake a couple of weeks ago. It was a sister to yours. .44 Special, nice and tight, but with the wrong stocks.

I walked away, and have regretted it ever since.

I do have an excuse. I used all my available funds buying another S&W, but not a vintage one.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I wouldn't have left it in the shop ten seconds.

 

[Yooper]

I would RUN, not walk, back to the store and buy it.

 

[Old Fuff]

Ya see ...!!!

FPrice is going to mess up, and not get this gem ....

And the rest of us will go out and get drunk on Tuner's Turbo Coffee ...

 

[Old Fuff]

Guys ....

They only made 4,761 of these between 1931 to 1941. That comes out to an average of 476 a year!!!

Such a deal ....

 

[FPrice]

"FPrice is going to mess up, and not get this gem ...."

Okay, who's gonna lona me the money to get this?

 

[FPrice]

Sorry guys. Had to pass it up. Funds just too tight right now.

I know. It hurts.

:banghead:

 

[Old Fuff]

SNIFF .....


Well better luck next time ...

 

[carpettbaggerr]

Is it still in the shop?

 

[FPrice]

"Is it still in the shop?"

Yes, but he is probably going to advertise it on the internet. If he does, I'll try to get the url.

 

[Majic]

Post the shop's name and phone number and it probably won't be around long enough for him to advertise on the internet.

 

[carpettbaggerr]

Nevermind, just reread your first post, and I don't want a 6.5 inch barrel.
But post the name and # anyway, I'm sure someone here would love it.