What's this worth?

[W Turner]

I found an N Frame SW .38spl. at a local shop the other day and had some questions about it. Here are the details...

-N Frame
-6-Shot
-4" barrel
-.38spl.
-Fixed sights
-Nickel plated, about 75-80% condition, looks to be factory plated , but I can't say for sure. The shop says it is, but they also offered me $125 for an 80% Model 28 too....
-No model number on the frame
-Timing is excellent, but it has noticeable endshake
-Looks like the grips are original and very worn
-Someone installed a trigger shoe on the trigger
-Price was $199

I looked specifically for the .38/44 outdoorsman or similar roll mark and did not see it. IIRC, one side of the barrel read ".38 S&W special cartridge" and the other just said "Smith and Wesson".

Would this one have any collector value?
Any clues I should look for to be able to tell if this was factory nickeled or if it was refinished? The rollmarks are all clear and don't appear to be disfigured at all if that helps.

Thanks,
W

 

[BigG]

My factory nickel Smith N frames are marked "N" on the back of the cylinder, when you swing it open you see it.

 

[mjb]

I believe you have a S&W model 20 heavy duty. It was made from 1930 until the late 60's? I had one in blue steel a long time ago. It is the father of the .357 magnum. When it came out, the +P ammo came out with it. The outdoorsman model had a 6 inch barrel, the model 20 has a 4 inch barrel.

 

[Jim Watson]

As said, likely a Heavy Duty, pre-Model 20.

Are the hammer and trigger plated? S&W did not plate them, case hardened hammer and trigger on a nickel gun give you a chance it is factory. If they are plated it is definitely aftermarket.

Dollar value, I dunno. An 80% nickel gun is normally pretty ugly, but any shootable N-Smith ought to be worth that much.

 

[Bill B.]

Buy that N frame quick at $125.00! They sold out some 38/44 police trade ins at KY Imports for $250.00 each that were no better than what you describe. These same guns have now sold on the S&W forum for as high as $600.00 + that I am aware of. You can easily double you money on the gun you describe. Personally I would rather have a good heavy barrel S&W M10 to shoot but you should make enough on the 38/44 to clear a M10 which is a pretty good deal!

 

[W Turner]

Jim - The hammer and trigger were case hardened, not plated so I would think that is a positive sign. The 80% rating is my estimation, someone else could rate it hgher with no argument from me. It's general wear, no signs of neglect and the nickel is not abnormally yellowed.

BigG - thanks for the tip, I will look for that today

Bill B. - they offered me that price when I was looking to sell my model 28. If I found one at that price I would jump all over it.

Thanks guys,
W

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Sure sounds like a heavy duty. The last 3 of them I bought all cost over 500$ and frankly some where not in as good shape as you describe.

If it were me, I would snap it up in a second. Prices of heavy duties have gone up about 200$ in the last year or so (or at least in Texas).

 

[W Turner]

I went back an looked it over again the other day and I think I'm going to pass. The hammer and trigger are plated and the SW rollmark on the sideplate is disfigured which tells me it has been refinished. I suppose that it would still be an ok deal, but I'm not as excited about it as I was.


If anyone would like contact information for the shop, pm me.

W