38 Safety hammerless?

onetonson56 · #1 11-27-2008, 05:55 PM

Need a little help to positively identify my friends revolver. This gun belonged to his great grandfather so its been in his family for a long time. Pics are attached. They don't show the absolutely perfect grips well or that it shows little bluing loss. I have a SCSW #3 and I believe this gun shows up on page 85. 4" barrel. SN# 1640XX. I own only N and L frames and am amazed at how small this revolver is. It has a pinned front sight. 4th change? What are these worth nowadays? He is not selling. I don't blame him I would keep it too.

onetonson56 · #2 11-27-2008, 05:55 PM

Need a little help to positively identify my friends revolver. This gun belonged to his great grandfather so its been in his family for a long time. Pics are attached. They don't show the absolutely perfect grips well or that it shows little bluing loss. I have a SCSW #3 and I believe this gun shows up on page 85. 4" barrel. SN# 1640XX. I own only N and L frames and am amazed at how small this revolver is. It has a pinned front sight. 4th change? What are these worth nowadays? He is not selling. I don't blame him I would keep it too.

cflier · #3 11-27-2008, 06:01 PM

Hello oneton,

It is a 4th change Safety Hammerless. It looks like a 3 1/4 in barrel to me. It's the most common of Safety Hammerless guns, but is in nice shape. I would insure it for about $400.

Regards, Mark

onetonson56 · #4 11-27-2008, 07:26 PM

I didn't measure the barrel. I should have. Probably is 3-1/4". Thanks for the confirmation on model#.If I am correct the serial number puts this in the late 1880's?

Mike

cflier · #5 11-27-2008, 11:02 PM

Mike,
Safety Hammerless 4th model revolvers with a serial number in the 164xxx range were manufactured between 1902 and 1909. A double Action with that serial # would have been made in the late 1880s, but that is a completely differant model.
regards, Mark

onetonson56 · #6 11-27-2008, 11:45 PM

Thanks for the clarification. I was looking at a double action instead of 38 safety in the book.

Mike

Bullseye Smith · #7 11-29-2008, 07:17 PM

Very nice gun, I would keep it to. They are getting hard to find in good shape anymore. I picked up this one a few years back at a OGCA show.

opoefc · #8 11-29-2008, 10:08 PM

.38 Safety serial number 164992 was shipped in July 1907. Your gun was probably shipped 1906-7 range.

Rafsob · #9 12-08-2008, 12:08 PM

I picked this one up a few years back and used it for side matches in CAS shooting.

I am not sure what model it is. It is in very good shape. The finish has some holster ware and some minor discoloration from rust. The serial number is 251XXX.

Does anyone know the model number of it?

opoefc · #10 12-08-2008, 12:50 PM

Based on the serial number, it's a 5th model, however most 5th models by this high a number have the forged front sight, not the pinned sight you have. All that means is that S&W never threw anything away and used the last 4th model barrels , with pinned front sights, to make 5th models. Your gun is still a fifth model .38 New departure safety Hammerless.

cflier · #11 12-08-2008, 03:09 PM

S&W didn't always ship in serial number order. If the grips on your gun have the same serial number as the rest of the gun, it was probably shipped out very late in production. Most of the guns I have seen with factory wooden grips were shipped in the 158000 to 160000 seial range. If it shipped out with the later guns it might explain the pinned front sight also. At that point I believe they were trying to use up parts that weren't moving fast and Cut the longer barrels both 4th and 5th model barrels down to shorter lengths, because the big sellers were 2 and 3 1/4 inch guns by then. Hence, some of the later 5th model guns ended up with pinned sights. I have owned several of them and they were all guns from late in the production cycle.

Mark

LEADNUTS · #12 08-27-2013, 08:21 PM

I acquired a 4th model (2148xx)..38 s&w, Nickle finish, and 3 features which I have questions about:

1) My specimen has the pearl grips (which are a matched set) and i was wondering if that was an add on, or if S&W offered some factory options when buying this gun?

2) The latch on mine and rear sights appear to have been enhanced. The right thumb can actuate the release mechanism if pressing forward in between the two sides above where the hammer would be had it a hammer, and it locks up tight so you can hear a positive detent when clasping it after loading. In addition, there are metal target sights fashioned into and integrated into the latch.

Furthermore the barrel appears to have been shortened to about 3.5 inches, barrel re-crowned and blended into frame professionally. Not some hacksaw and file chop job...

3) Did S&W ever offer and performance enhancements to this model? Seller said he had brought it to a gunsmith who stated, " it might have been done at S&W as it was done so well."

Any comments are welcome. I am older, but new to the forum. I will post some pictures as soon as I can with my ****** cellphone cam. I always liked these, but never could find one worth buying. I also like guns with fancy grips, ivory, MOP, ox horn, sambar, etc..Adds a classy retro vibe to this shooter. I got it to shoot now and again sparingly. I found an ammo supplier at Bud's online, seem reasonable?

LaVistaBill · #13 09-05-2013, 04:38 AM

I have two of these compact revolvers, both have 4" barrels and pinned front sights. One is pretty rough, but still tight and shoots well; I use it for SASS and NCOWS side matches. It has serial #128999. The second one is in much better shape and reputed to have been carried by a deputy US Marshal. It also has a 4" barrel and unlike the other its barrel is marked on the left side +38 S&W CTG+. Its serial number is 146384. I believe both are 4th Models. If anyone can offer further information I'd appreciate it.