A very Rare Find. The S&W 38-44 Pre-23 Outdoorsman series Revolver

[Hammerdown]

Hello All
I came across a very hard to locate revolver yesterday here at a Local Gun show. This is the 38-44 Outdoorsman Pre-23 Target Model. It is a .38 Special with a 6-1/2" Barrel and the adjustable sighted version of The Famous Heavy Duty Model. I suspect it is an early 1950 Era Model due to the Six Groove backstrap it has, but am awaiting to hear from the factory Historion Roy Jinks on it's exact shipping Date.These were made in small quantities Prior to World War II, then productrion ceased because of The war Effort on them until 1947. in 1947 They were reintroduced & In 1950 They started making the New Intro model of 1950 which this one is ,with The new Micro sights, revised Hammer block, and short Cocking actions. The Post 1950 Models ran from 1950 -1965 with only 6039 Total Revolvers Being made. Sadly this revolver was not made very Long due to the Popularity of The Hotter .357 Magnum Cartridge. This is the very same revolver that Elmer Keith Hot Rodded to expand on the .38 Special cartridge to the Point of it being what is currently now The famous .357 Magnum. I have the Son to this revolver , which is The K-22 Outdoorsman series and now have the set of Outdoorsmans in my collection. Regards, Hammerdown

[SHOOTALL]

you lucky dog !

[jdinil]

Those are really nice revolvers! You'll want to hang on to that one! I have one of them in the pre-war version.

[Hammerdown]

Those are really nice revolvers! You'll want to hang on to that one! I have one of them in the pre-war version.

Hello
I am Hunting one of those Too. This one is a Transition Model with the slightly Larger extractor Being Early Post war version, and the Cylinder release is transition Piece as well. There are very few transition Pieces out there and I found out this One shipped in December 1951. Regards, Hammerdown

[Ken ONeill]

Congratulations on your find. It appears to be in very nice condition.

[Hammerdown]

Congratulations on your find. It appears to be in very nice condition.

Hello ken
Mechanically it is Tight as a drum, But one would expect that being it is a .38 Special Caliber. The Problem with this model is for those that knew it could take anything loaded to max and not be effected by it, They loaded them hot and some were shot Loose from that. The finish from back then leaves a lot to be desired, as this one has Little depth or Beauty to it Bluing, but that is what they looked like back then. I know S&W claimed that After World War II Consumer demand was so hungry for revolver's that they chose to Matte blue their handguns as a faster way to get the product available. That may sound Logical to most, But I believe it was a Lot Cheaper for them to ship them out with a matte bluing as a high Polished finish takes much more time in the final stages before finish. In The Very Early 1960's S&W returned to Their Deep Bluing high Polished finishes as I feel Colt was Blowing their Door's off in sales because of the gorgeous finishes they were using Regards, Hammerdown