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S&W Antiques S&W Lever Action Pistols, Tip-Up Revolvers, ALL Top-Break Revolvers, and ALL Single Shots


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Old 08-11-2012, 12:42 PM
i.hunt i.hunt is offline
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Default Help with history...

Well not sure what I have here it is a Smith and Wesson, 5 shot top break, says something about pat. info late 1800's I do have a serial number 439xxx*, I inherited this from my Pop, he kept it in his top drawer in an old holster... thanks in advance for any help....

Last edited by i.hunt; 08-11-2012 at 01:30 PM.
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Old 08-11-2012, 02:18 PM
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You have a .38 Double Action, 4th model, made about 1902. Don't leave it in the old holster as the tannic acid in the leather will gradually remove the bluing of the finish. It's a nice old family heirloom, and if still tight and in good mechanical condition would be a good shooter. Ed.
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Old 08-11-2012, 03:08 PM
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That one looks to be in pretty nice condition. If you are knowledgeable and it is solid I'd shoot it. It would probably pay you to put a little lube in it. Just thumb the hammer back and drop several drops of "light" gun oil down into the action. Also in the notch in the recoil shield face, on the shaft of the ejector rod when you open it up, and in the hinge. Break Free or Kroil would be good.
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Old 08-11-2012, 05:19 PM
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Default I've got a younger sibling to that one

My Grandad's old S&W revolver looks just like that one. The story goes that he kept in the bottom drawer of his restaruant's cash register in Oklahoma City back in the 1930's.

Caliber: .38 S&W CTG
Serial Number: 444xxx
Double Action 5 shot Revolver

PAT'D MAY 11, 1880 JAN 3, 1882 APRIL 9 1889 on top of barrel
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Old 08-12-2012, 03:33 PM
i.hunt i.hunt is offline
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Hey folks thanks a bunch for the info. that's exciting to know as a matter of fact immediately upon me getting it from my Grandmom I removed it from the holster, I knew abot the acid destruction from tanned leather I work a little bit with leather as a hobby, gave it a light surface oiling, I have shot it in the past I remember as a teenager maybe 16 sneaking it out and shooting a squirrel with it, all the while my brother had a shotgun and missed it lol lol it does shoot pretty good, the recommendation to give her a little oil will be adhered to, now is it a .38 S & W or is it a .38 short ??? that has always been a ??? of mine I wasn't quite 100% sure... I plan on keeping this in the family no matter the value it was Pops revolver I could never get rid of it.... Thank you again everyone...
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Old 08-12-2012, 04:29 PM
opoefc opoefc is offline
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.38 S&W and .38 Short are essentially the same cartridge, although the .38 Short came in both center fire and rim fire. Both were originally black powder rounds, however modern .38 S&W ammo. is loaded to same pressures as the original black powder rounds so that it's safe to shoot in the older guns like yours. Ed.
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Old 08-13-2012, 12:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by opoefc View Post
.38 S&W and .38 Short are essentially the same cartridge, although the .38 Short came in both center fire and rim fire. Both were originally black powder rounds, however modern .38 S&W ammo. is loaded to same pressures as the original black powder rounds so that it's safe to shoot in the older guns like yours. Ed.
The .38 Short Colt is essentially a centerfire version of the earlier .38 Short rimfire cartridge. It originally had a heeled bullet, and later used an inside lubricated bullet. The original intent was for use in modified .36 caliber cap and ball revolvers of the post-Civil War period. It is very similar in appearance to the .38 S&W, but its case and bullet diameters are a bit less, and are the same as those of the .38 Special and .38 Long Colt. Surprisingly, the .38 Short Colt cartridge is still with us and available, and is still used in .38 Special revolvers for some special types of competitive shooting in which a very light recoil is desired. Having not tried it, I would think that the .38 Short Colt would fit and fire OK in a .38 S&W-chambered revolver, assuming you ran across any. Just with a little sloppier fit.

Last edited by DWalt; 08-22-2012 at 05:13 PM.
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Old 08-15-2012, 04:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt View Post
The .38 Short Colt is essentially a centerfire version of the earlier .38 Short rimfire cartridge. It originally had a heeled bullet, and later used an inside lubricated bullet. The original intent was for use in modified .36 caliber cap and ball revolvers of the post-Civil War period. It is very similar in appearance to the .38 S&W, but its case and bullet diameters are a bit less, and are the same as those of the .38 Special and .38 Long Colt. Surprisingly, the .38 Short Colt cartridge is still available, and is still used in .38 Special revolvers for some special types of competitive shooting in which a very light recoil is desired. Having not tried it, I would think that the .38 Short Colt would fit and fire OK in a .38 S&W-chambered revolver, assuming you ran across any. Just with a little sloppier fit.
I think along with the 4th Model I got from my Pop there is a box of both the .38 S & W and the .38 Short Colt ammo..... I know it has shot both....
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Old 08-15-2012, 05:43 PM
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Back when I first started shooting the .38 S&W revolver, I made reloadable cases for it by shortening .38 Special cases, essentially creating .38 Short Colt cases. It worked OK at the time. I don't do that any more as I have accumulated a large supply of .38 S&W brass.

By the way, I also have a DA .38 much like yours, but with longer barrel, and an 1898 SN. If you wish to shoot yours much, you might want to pick up a pair of S&W J frame grips. They should fit. Whatever you find will probably not look that great, but will provide a much more comfortable shooting hold.
See mine below:

Last edited by DWalt; 08-15-2012 at 07:59 PM.
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