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1932 Smith & Wesson .38/44 Outdoorsman King Super Target Conversion w/ Sanderson Grips, Factory Letter SOLD
Guns International #: 101459982 Seller's Inventory #: CM20-826
Category: Smith & Wesson Revolvers - 38/44 - Smith & Wesson Revolvers
Seller's Information
When emailing or calling sellers direct, please mention that you saw their listing on GunsInternational.com
Seller: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc.
Company: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc.
Member Since: 4/27/15
State: Kentucky
Zip: 40503
Country: United States
Phone: (859) 276-1419
Fax: (859) 278-0838
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 190
Total Number of Listings: 14879
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Visa,Master Card, Discover,Check
Description:
If you have been looking for a new extremely cool, sought-after, and scarce vintage target pistol for your collection, this is it! This is a 100% original 1932-production Smith & Wesson Model .38/44 Outdoorsman that underwent the full King Super Target conversion. It is loaded with every option that King offered and fitted with beautiful no-thumb shelf Sanderson grips, and comes with a S&W Factory Letter and a copy of the original order invoice. This revolver started life as a standard .38/44 Outdoorsman. The N-frame S&W .38/44 Outdoorsman model was first offered in 1931 as a sister model to the .38/44 Heavy Duty that featured adjustable target sights and a 6.5" inch barrel. It quickly earned an stellar reputation for build-quality, accuracy, and reliability, particularly with competitive target shooters and policeman all over the United States. Production of the .38/44 Outdoorsman continued at Smith & Wesson until the outbreak of WW2 in 1941, when production was halted in order to produce U.S. Military weapons. There were 4,761 of the .38/44 Outdoorsman revolvers made during the pre-WW2 period. As mentioned earlier, this particular example is serial number 40870 and was manufactured in 1932. It was shipped to Shapleigh Hardware Co. in St. Louis, Missouri as part of a 25 gun shipment, the last part of a 100 gun original order. After being purchased from Shapleigh Hardware it was sent to the King Gunsight Company sometime between 1933 and 1955 to be converted to a King Super Target revolver. The King Gunsight Company was THE premier revolver accurizing and custom tuning company in the U.S.A. They were located in San Fransico California and were well-known among the premier target shooters of the period. The King Super Target package that this Outdoorsman received took this S&W to an entirely different level. A 1-piece ventilated and weighted rib was added to the barrel to aid in holding it still, reduce muzzle-flip when firing, and provide a platform for the improved sights. A "reflector" Patridge front sight blade with a red insert was installed that uses a mirror inset into the rib at a 45 degree angle to aid in lighting-up the front of the sight blade, and the integral target-style rear sight features a white-outlined square-notch and micrometer click-adjustments equalling 1" inch of adjustment at 50 yards. The factory hammer was either modified into, or replaced with, a King "Cockeyed" hammer that has a left-offset spur specific to a right-handed shooter to aid in the ease and speed of cocking the action. The revolver's action was then completely reworked for a shorter hammer-fall and a silky-smooth action. The shorter hammer-fall required the timing of the gun to be completely changed which was no small task and required an expert to complete. Finally, the gun was fit with a set of high-end custom Sanderson checkered Walnut grips. The Sanderson grips on this S&W are unique in that they do not have a thumb-shelf like the vast majority of them that you see. This was special-ordered this way we are sure. This .38/44 Outdoorsman King Super Target really has to be held to truly be appreciated. It is in very good condition overall and is in excellent mechanical condition. It has obviously been shot and used some over the years but well cared-for. The original factory blue finish is still handsome and bright overall with only minor wear and handling marks visible. The worst of these wear areas are the drag-line around the cylinder and some abrasive lines/marks on the right side of the frame behind the cylinder/recoil shield. You can see these spots and the other minor stuff in the pictures provided. All of the factory stampings and serial numbers are crisp and clean, as well as the King Super Target lettering on the barrel rib. All of the factory numbered parts are matching including the barrel, cylinder, and frame. The bore in the 6.5" inch barrel is excellent, free from any pitting, erosion, or visible imperfections of any kind. The rifling still shows sharp lands and grooves throughout the entire barrel. The 6 cylinder chambers are equally as clean and pristine. The vintage custom Sanderson grips are in excellent condition overall. The checkering on both panels is still crisp and clean, and the carved gooves on the front strap are still sharp. These grips were fit to this gun perfectly with a cut-out rear backstrap to expose the rear grip frame for added control of the gun. Both panels are free from any cracks, chips, or repairs, and both panels are tight to the gun with zero wiggle. The action on this Outdoorsman is phenominal. These pre-WW2 Smiths are well-known for their excellent actions right from the factory. The King Company managed to make a superb factory action even better! The hand-tuned action is perfectly "in time", silky smooth, and it locks up tight. The trigger is amazing, particularly in single-action operation where it breaks like a thin glass rod with light pressure. All of the controls on this S&W are in perfect working order and we have no doubt that it will still shoot just as accurately and reliably as the day it left the King Gunsight Company many decades ago. This was the very best target revolver you could own in the 1930's and 40's and it still better than anything you can buy today that is currently manufactured. This 1932 Smith & Wesson .38/44 Outdoorsman King Super Target would be a superb addition to any Smith & Wesson or Target gun collection and should continue to be an excellent long-term investment.
SOLD
Curio/Relic: Yes
Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson
Model: .38/44 Outdoorsman King Super Target Conversion
Serial Number: 40870
Barrel Length: 6.5" Inches
Caliber Info: .38 Special
Condition: Very Good
Metal Condition: Very Good
Wood Condition: Excellent
Bore Condition: Excellent
Manufacture Date: 1932