Is this a model 3?

[afaletto]

Hello to all,

This is my first post, however, I have been viewing for some time. I recently acquired this pistol from a family member and am just a little unsure as to what I have or the age of the gun. I am amazed at the finish. The blueing is quite good, very bright, dark and shiny. The pic is showing lots of reflection from the counter. It is a .38 S&W.

The top of the barrel reads:

Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass. USA Pat'd Jan 24 65
July 11 65 Aug 24 69 Reissue July 25 71 May 11 80 Jan 3 82

The serial number is 2838XX.

Thanks for your help. Heres the link in case the pic doesn't work.

[Model19man]

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. You actually have a 38 Double Action revolver shipped in the early 1890s. Model 3s were large frame top breaks mostly in a 44 caliber - American or Russian.

I am guessing you have a pretty good quality reblue job and the 38 S&W cartridge is great fun at the range.

[opoefc]

As said above, your nice family heirloom revolver is a .38 Double Action, Third Model, manufactured circa early 1890s. It has been refinished, at least once, and if it's in good mechanical condition, should make a fun shooter. You can obtain a factory historical letter from Roy Jinks, S&W factory historian, that will tell you when the gun was shipped, to where & whom , and the configuration of the gun at that time. Original grips were probably the black hard rubber S&W logo style. The grips on the gun now are the later plastic type, made by Franzite probably and were probably added when the gun was refinished. Ed.

[DWalt]

I like this grip style for shooting purposes, as the originals were too small for shooters with larger hands. Are those, or any like them, still available anywhere?

[afaletto]

Thanks for all the replies. As interesting as the gun is, I don't reload for the 38 s&w and am thinking of moving it on to someone who might more enjoy it. (I do however enjoy my model 19 .357, which I have learned alot about from this forum.) Does anyone have any idea what this 38 Double Action might be valued at? You guys are great, thanks for the help.

[glowe]

I have seen this model in good refinished condition going for $300 to $350, but it all depends on how many people at the auction want the gun.

[kenny s]

Nice gun, but remember, they were made out of the same steel as coathangers...yeah, it's steel, but 1890's steel. NO smokeless at all. you'll stretch the frame. I took the latch off a #3 once with extremely light smokeless loads and lead bullets. got a new latch,,,but done push it. Ken

[afaletto]

Good to know about the smokeless powder. I did not think about that. Is the factory ammo I received with it, and shown in my pic safe to shoot? I would imagine it is smokeless?