Break top, 5 Round Revolver. Looks to be .38. Markings on top of 4" barrel "SMITH & WESTON SPRINGFIELD MASS USA PAT'D JAN 24.65 JULY 11.65 AUG 24.69 REISSUE JULY 25.71 MAY 11.80 JAN 5.82". Stamped on butt "D2315"or "02315". Cylinder marked 502315. Leaf trigger spring. Three frame pins.

Is this sufficient to identify model and approximate manufacture date?

Thanks

The serial number on the cylinder puts it as a.38 Double Action 3rd Model. The barrel patent dates agree. However there is something wrong with butt serial as it should be the same as the cylinder. Sounds like there is something missing. Is it battered of filed on? Pictures would be a big help. 3rdModels were made 1884-1895.

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

With that information, I was able to find a number of photos of this gun on the web. A closer examination of the minute S/N on the cylinder looks like 302315, this must be relatively late in the production span. Yes the butt is a little worn near the start of the S/N and may explain the missing 3 and partial 0.

What I have not yet found is, can smokeless powder cartridges be used in this pistol?

Yes, modern factory ammo can be shot in your .38 DA. It chambers .38 S&W...not .38 Special. Those cartridges were originally available in black powder and later in smokeless. The powder charge with smokeless was calibrated so the older BP guns could shoot them. Otherwise, the ammo manufacturers would not have a market. S&W in 1909 released a statement that factory loaded smokeless rounds were okay to shoot in their older guns. The problem was with reloads. Back then, some folks put the same volume of smokeless as black powder in their reloads, thus causing some damaged guns, because accurate reloading data wasn't available. You will be fine shooting .38 S&W. I do in my top break safety hammerless and it is fine.

BTW, welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass!

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629