Old .38 S&W Ammo and Box

wogentry · #1 07-12-2010, 03:00 PM

For all you .38 S&W aficionadoes, I inherited this box with 5 rounds of .38 S&W. They came with a Harrington and Richardson 5 shot top break revolver. I do believe they are pretty old. The picture showing the side of the box has the date "August 1st 1898" though that could be advertising. The box also states "expressly for Smith & Wesson New 38 Cal Central Fire Revolver". Head stamp is "W R A Co 38 S&W" Don't know much about the revolver. Has no visible serial number and I can't get the grips off as someone has buggered the screw over the years. Last patent date on the top of the barrel is Aug 5 89. Bore is rough but not too bad. Don't see myself firing it anytime soon but it will make a great wall hanger! Would be interesting to know more about the history of the gun but it belonged to my father in law's mother and she passed away a while back.

ArchAngelCD · #2 07-13-2010, 12:56 AM

Those pocket pistols were very popular back in the day as small J frame revolvers are today. That's a nice old revolver you have there. There are many shooters using them in SASS side matches now. They are fun to shoot if they are in good operating condition. Get it checked over and if it's safe have a go with it... (I would save the box and ammo though)

wogentry · #3 07-16-2010, 10:37 AM

Thanks for your reply. I think I will have checked out by a gunsmith. If all else fails I thought of putting it in a shadow box with the box of ammo.

desi2358 · #4 07-19-2010, 06:57 PM

nice old revolver and box. I like the shadow box idea, makes for a nice display. Not sure when winchester phased out the picture boxes, they were used for a long time and in a number of styles.

nostraDONus · #5 07-19-2010, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wogentry

For all you .38 S&W aficionadoes, I inherited this box with 5 rounds of .38 S&W. They came with a Harrington and Richardson 5 shot top break revolver. I do believe they are pretty old.

Those bullets must have belonged to the bank guard, Asa Breezy. Barney Fife would never let his bullets get all moldy like that. He could show you bullet maintenance. Well, maybe one bullet maintenance.

tbury · #6 07-19-2010, 08:05 PM

The corrosion and black stains on the shells look exactly like some black powder .32-20 loads I inherited. Keep them dry and do not try shooting them. Nice accessories for you old gun.

wogentry · #7 07-21-2010, 10:02 AM

I wondered if they could be black powder. I will save them for display. I have some .41 Long Colt that came with a Colt New Navy Revolver that are only slightly better looking.