Make: Smith & Wesson

Model: .38/44 Outdoorsman (Target Sights)

Serial Number: 49049

Year of Manufacture: 1937 (Factory Letter )

Caliber: .38 Special

Action Type: Double / Single Action, Swing-Out Fluted Cylinder Revolver

Barrel Length: 6.5” Pinned Round Barrel with Shrouded Ejector Rod

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Gold bead “Call” Patridge style, blade front sight on a raised, pinned boss, with adjustable rear sight, square butt target sights to the top strap and frame.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checked walnut with smooth diamonds around the grip screw escutcheons. They are Magna Style. They are original to the weapon as they are stamped with the serial number to match inside the right panel. There are no compressions or draglines. The most noticeable marks are on the bottom of the panels. They are tiny scratches. The checking is strong. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.5/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. There are a few little handling marks and maybe tiny scratches on the barrel, most noticeable on the left side. There are some light handling marks on the grips. No notable burnmarks on the cylinder face. There is an extremely light turn line on the cylinder. The hammer and trigger show minimal operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Excellent condition for C&R.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder produces hardly any movement in full lockup of all 6 chambers. The double action trigger pull is smooth, single action is crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: none

Our Assessment: While the K and even smaller J-frames would become those most commonly associated with .38 Special Smith & Wessons, when the cartridge was first being developed, the more stout N-frame was chosen to chamber the new round. This became the .38/44, offered in the Heavy Duty configuration with fixed sights and the Outdoorsman version with target sights. This Pre-War example was produced around 1930-1935 and is in excellent shape for a gun of its age.This gun left the factory on January 8,1937 with a Gold Bead “Call” front sight and square butt target rear sights. It has a limited production 6.5” barrel and is equipped with its original, number matching,checked walnut, Magna style stocks. This would make a prized centerpiece as an addition to any Smith & Wesson collection as they are hard to come by.

While the K and even smaller J-frames would become those most commonly associated with .38 Special Smith & Wessons, when the cartridge was first being developed, the more stout N-frame was chosen to chamber the new round. This became the .38/44, offered in the Heavy Duty configuration with fixed sights and the Outdoorsman version with target sights. This Pre-War example was produced around 1930-1935 and left the factory in January of 1937. It is in excellent shape for a gun of its age. It has a limited production 6.5” barrel and is equipped with its original, number matching,checked walnut, Magna style stocks and the Gold Bead “Call” front sight with Square butt target rear sights. This would make a prized centerpiece as an addition to any Smith & Wesson collection as they are hard to come by.