Help Identifying 38 S&W

jsutherlin · #1 02-24-2012, 10:42 PM

I have an old top break over 38 S&W that my grandfather had and I would like to find out how old it is and find out if it is a 3rd model. I can't find any identifying marks except for the top of the barrel. It has a serial number of 246800 on the butt and also on the cylinder. Any help identifying it would be very helpful.
Thanks,
Todd

glowe · #2 02-24-2012, 11:08 PM

Welcome to the Forum. Your S&W is a 3rd Model 38 Double Action shipped from the factory in 1889 or 1890. There are not many stampings on these top breaks other than the barrel address and serial numbers. The gun is chambered for 38 S&W ammo, which is still available from major manufacturers.

glowe · #3 02-25-2012, 09:36 AM

Forgot to mention that the grips are not original. Interesting design, but no S&W logo on the top rounds. Can't quite make out the logo on those grips, but maybe someone else will recognize them.

grey2393 · #4 02-25-2012, 10:04 AM

The grips are Iver Johnson owl heads.

jsutherlin · #5 02-25-2012, 04:52 PM

Thank you for the help. The owl head grips were throwing me off. I could find any S&W with owl head grips.

glowe · #6 02-25-2012, 05:52 PM

You should be looking for grips that look like the ones below.

You can buy reproduction grips for $20 a set at Vintage Gun Grips that should fit if you can not find originals.