Newly discovered 38 Safety 5inch nickel

minnesota · #1 11-30-2010, 12:29 PM

Good morning from snowy Minnesota. I'm a new member to this forum and am excited to mutually research a recent acquisition. I acquired this gun from a neighbor who was cleaning out her grandfather's house here in Edina Minnesota. She came across many boxes of firearms and I immediately purchased them basically sight unseen for a fair price. The item in question is a S&W 38 Safety 5 inch in nickel serial number #209618. The serial number is on the grip butt and also on the cylinder. There is also faint writing on the back of the box with the same number. It is in it's original box with the "3 in 1 oil" paper advertising flyer and a still intact bottle of oil, still full of oil swishing around! There is also a 8 inch barrel cleaner. From my quick Googling I believe it is a 4th model because the sight is pinned. I also believe the box is corrrect based on the phrasing. My local Gander Mountain gunsmith believes the gun has never been fired! I'm looking to verify the model, it's manufacture date and the box being correct. I'm am going to sell it to help my daughter pay for her college tuition. What is the best method of selling the gun in a safe and professional marketplace? Any insights will be greatly appreciated. I will post pictures, hopefully attached to this post. Thanks, Jay from Minnesota

minnesota · #2 11-30-2010, 12:47 PM

Two more pictures that didn't fit in the first post. Thanks again Jay

nutsforsmiths · #3 11-30-2010, 12:50 PM

Jay,

You will probably get a better response if you post this lovely pistol in the S&W Antiques section of this forum. That is where top break pistols are talked about and a lot of experts are on that part of the forum often.

What a nice pistol and great original packaging.

minnesota · #4 11-30-2010, 12:53 PM

Many thanks for the advice. I will try to post there as well. Cheers and Happy Holidays! Jay

opoefc · #5 11-30-2010, 03:55 PM

Jay, You are correct that it's a 4th model, .38 Safety Hammerless. Close serial numbers were shipped in mid 1908, however S&W didn't ship guns in serial number sequence, so the actual ship date for your gun can only be determined by a factory historical letter from Roy Jinks, S&W Historian,( cost $50. ) The red over stamp on the box end lable of --2385N is not a factory stamp, but done by the distributor who received the gun from the factory and is an inventory number of the distributor. You have a nice combination or all original material, except the gun oil bottle, probably added by the neighbors grandfather. The combination is what all collectors of Safety Hammerless models look for, so you should get top dollar by (1) Post here on the Forum at a price you are comfortable with, or (2) post in one of the online internet gun auctions, such as Gun Broker, Auction Arms, etc. The gun is classified as a Curio & relic under ATF rules, not an antique, so you must legally transfer it to a buyer who has a Curio & Relic license or through a Federal License gun dealer, if the tarnsfer is to another state. Check your Minnesta laws for intrastate an transfer process. The gunsmith ,who examined your gun, can probably advise you on the correct process. Ed.