Hey guys! I'm new to the forum and was wondering if you guys could help me date an old .38 S&W top break I found. The serial is 2175xx. It definitely looks old enough to be pre-1898. Could anyone give me a more accurate date or at least a yes or no that it is a pre-1898 model? (FFL stuff)

Welcome to the Forum. You neglected to say what type of 38 you have. S&W made lots of 38s from spur triggers to double actions, to hammerless guns.

With that serial number, I would assume you are referring either to the 38 Double Action or the 38 Safety Hammerless. The antique cut off dates are as noted below.

S&W DA .38 top break revolvers with hammer (serial # below 382,022)

S&W DA .38 top break hammerless revolvers (serial # below 119,900)

Actually the BATFE antique cutoff is not pre-1898, but pre-1899. glowe is correct on cutoff SNs. That assumes yours is actually an S&W, as you don't say. There were plenty of other makers of top break revolvers in .38 S&W.

Thanks guys! The pistol is a Smith and Wesson 5 shot DA top-break (not hammerless nor safety). So if the 382,022 is right, then no FFL paperwork should be needed, correct? Thanks again!

Just be aware that not all dealers will honor this and will still want it to go through a FFL for the transfer. I used to have a Curio and Relic FFL and some dealers would not take it on any firearm purchase no matter what I showed them and there is no law that requires them to do so.

I have a 38 DA with sn 222XXX that was shipped from the factory in July 1889, so you are good . . . but you may need to prove it to the seller. As merl67 says, the seller does not have to sell it to you. Good luck.

I own a 38 Sp Gunsmithed By Travis Strahan...spoke with Travis about the advanced design changes..the model is 10-C 5 i see it is a 1966-1967 is that true? Is has a hog barrel with double action revolver,mascot I site designed for Law enforcer target match gun i gather..wondered what you guys knowing more than me what it may be worth keeping it for protection and carry trigger is adjustable shaved hammer..hog gripps...what do you think? Thanks Michael....

That literally just happened to me... I went just now to try to buy the pistol and ran into that wall. I'm under 21 (not a minor though) and he said he couldn't sell it to me. He acknowledged that is was a pre-1899 model and that the BATF didn't consider it a firearm, but he does paperwork for all metallic cartridge guns. He was understanding at least and explained I could have it gifted to me by someone and it would be fine. Not BATF policy, but store policy. In that case as well, I could also go for a newer post 1899 model that has modern steel and is cheaper too, since I'm required to use a FFL...