( I posted this same topic on the S&W forum so some of you have probably already seen it. Just trying to get the maximum input from folks.)
Last week I was processing some evidence when I observed a tagged N frame sitting on our evidence tech's desk. Needless to say I picked it up to look at. It was an S frame five screw Outdoorsman with a 6.5 inch barrel. I looked up the serial number in the catalog and determined that it's date of manufacture was 1953/54. The piece appears to be in fairly good condition though the cylinder crane is gone - somebody took it off and never put back from the looks of it. Still has it's original diamond magna grips.
This specimen was recovered in 1999 when serving a search warrant. Some nine handguns were recovered during the search. Eight of them were determined to be stolen and have long since been returned to their rightful owners. All that's left it this Outdoorsman. I'm a firearms instructor with my department and it's well known that I'm a "gun-nut". The lieutenant in charge of the firearms training saw me drooling over the gun and asked if I would like the job of trying to trace the owner. I jumped on it.
Last Friday I called S&W and was put through to Roy Jinks. He ran the serial number for me and I learned that the gun was shipped in August of 1953 to a gun store in New York City. I then filled out the trace paperwork and sent it to the ATF.I doubt I'll find the owner. It's in Idaho and it's fifty-two years later, but I have to try. If we don't have any success it, along with some other guns, will be traded to a local dealer who will then sell it. But I was informed that If I really want the Outdoorsman I could have first bid.
Would it be worth it? The crane needs to be replaced and I would imagine that I would have to send it to the factory for a complete workover. Just to be on the safe side. There isn't any observable corrosion and with the exception of some scratches the finish is in fairly good shape. No doubt the dealer would sell it to me for a song because of it's condition. I mean who wants an old revolver? I'm tempted. Any opinions?
Last week I was processing some evidence when I observed a tagged N frame sitting on our evidence tech's desk. Needless to say I picked it up to look at. It was an S frame five screw Outdoorsman with a 6.5 inch barrel. I looked up the serial number in the catalog and determined that it's date of manufacture was 1953/54. The piece appears to be in fairly good condition though the cylinder crane is gone - somebody took it off and never put back from the looks of it. Still has it's original diamond magna grips.
This specimen was recovered in 1999 when serving a search warrant. Some nine handguns were recovered during the search. Eight of them were determined to be stolen and have long since been returned to their rightful owners. All that's left it this Outdoorsman. I'm a firearms instructor with my department and it's well known that I'm a "gun-nut". The lieutenant in charge of the firearms training saw me drooling over the gun and asked if I would like the job of trying to trace the owner. I jumped on it.
Last Friday I called S&W and was put through to Roy Jinks. He ran the serial number for me and I learned that the gun was shipped in August of 1953 to a gun store in New York City. I then filled out the trace paperwork and sent it to the ATF.I doubt I'll find the owner. It's in Idaho and it's fifty-two years later, but I have to try. If we don't have any success it, along with some other guns, will be traded to a local dealer who will then sell it. But I was informed that If I really want the Outdoorsman I could have first bid.
Would it be worth it? The crane needs to be replaced and I would imagine that I would have to send it to the factory for a complete workover. Just to be on the safe side. There isn't any observable corrosion and with the exception of some scratches the finish is in fairly good shape. No doubt the dealer would sell it to me for a song because of it's condition. I mean who wants an old revolver? I'm tempted. Any opinions?
(Just kidding.)
