S&W Model 23?

[Wayne Dobbs]

Also noted from SCSW 3rd Edition that the Model 23 numbered guns are extremely rare with less than 100 made after S&W changed over to a model number system from a name ("Outdoorsman"). Quite a find you have there!

[Hambo]

One word: wadcutters.

[Det1397]

SCSW says that serial number left the factory during the 1957-1958 time frame.

Also noted from SCSW 3rd Edition that the Model 23 numbered guns are extremely rare with less than 100 made after S&W changed over to a model number system from a name ("Outdoorsman"). Quite a find you have there!

I've been doing some "off duty" investigations on the gun, while awaiting a letter from S&W.... I'll advise as soon as I know much more. The best I have right now, is the gun was originally registered in NYS on 11/01/1960 and changed hands in 1973, until sold to the LGS.

[Rex G]

Beautiful! Enjoy!

[Jim Watson]

Good catch.
I had to run look at mine, been a long time since I had it out.
No Mod 23 so mine is a "pre-23", otherwise known as an Outdoorsman.

[Det1397]

That is COOL!

Would it be rude to ask how much you paid for it?

I've been doing some "off duty" investigations on the gun, while awaiting a letter from S&W.... I'll advise as soon as I know much more. The best I have right now, is the gun was originally registered in NYS on 11/01/1960 and changed hands in 1973, until sold to the LGS.

So, getting ready to start a new thread here on a few Smith and Wesson N Frames that I recently acquired, I see that I never updated this post…
The gun was lettered by the SWCA and Roy Jinks, the official Smith and Wesson Historian reported that the Mod 23 left the S&W Factory in 1960.

[jtcarm]

Also noted from SCSW 3rd Edition that the Model 23 numbered guns are extremely rare with less than 100 made after S&W changed over to a model number system from a name ("Outdoorsman"). Quite a find you have there!

I read the same thing just the other night.

The OP might want to get an appraisal before shooting.

[UNM1136]

One word: wadcutters.

In my limited revolver knowledge I am not sure I realize how great this unicorn is. But after 15 years as a firearms instructor, almost exclusively supervising cops shooting autos, I look rather lustfully at guys shooting groups with wadcutters. Not only is the recoil generally much less, but those neat little holes...

I'll say it now. I want wadcutters for everything in my safe, and everything in my cops' safes, if they will feed in the autos.

I plan to retire in 5 or so years, and there are a bunch of revolvers on that "gotta get" list....

Stangely enough, my wife still doesn't understand the phrase "I need" as much as I would like her to.

pat

[Det1397]

I read the same thing just the other night.

The OP might want to get an appraisal before shooting.

Actually it’s a safe queen. It’s been shot a bit over its time.
And right after I bought the Mod 23, with the help of some very sharp guys over at the Smith-Wesson Forum, I got in touch with a very well know S&W collector/auctioneer. Based on a couple of dozen photos sent to him, he had a buyer willing to pay CRAZY money for the gun… CRAZY MONEY.

[revchuck38]

In my limited revolver knowledge I am not sure I realize how great this unicorn is. But after 15 years as a firearms instructor, almost exclusively supervising cops shooting autos, I look rather lustfully at guys shooting groups with wadcutters. Not only is the recoil generally much less, but those neat little holes...

I'll say it now. I want wadcutters for everything in my safe, and everything in my cops' safes, if they will feed in the autos.

I plan to retire in 5 or so years, and there are a bunch of revolvers on that "gotta get" list....

Stangely enough, my wife still doesn't understand the phrase "I need" as much as I would like her to.

pat

Just FYI, if you’re a handloader, you can get SWCs for 9x19s.