Anyone Tell Me About This Top-Break?

polixines · #1 01-21-2015, 11:14 AM

Worth $375?

1) Is this an authentic original one? Didn't S&W have a line of re-productions lately? Body in very good shape, wanted to make sure which it was.

2) Why is there no stamp on the barrel, or for that matter anywhere on the body? That usual for whatever Type this is?

3) If original, what's its status for safety mechanisms?

O and one other thing, approximate weight?

Thanks for any info.

H Richard · #2 01-21-2015, 12:01 PM

That appears to be a .32 Double Action. Without a S/N I couldn't know what specific model. It looks to be a S&W, and no, S&W have not made any repro's of these older models, They did make a repro of the much larger Scofield in .45 caliber in 2000. Many other makers made "similar" models to the S&W .32's, and many were of questionable quality. This one appears to have been refinished, and not by S&W, as the markings are polished off, another clue is the grips appear much more worn than the finish and that is indicative of a refinish. The weight would be about 14 oz. This gun if original would be around 100 years old and it has no special safety mechanism's, You pull the trigger and it goes off. Value of a gun in this condition, depending on the mechanical functioning, may be between $100 to $200.

polixines · #3 01-21-2015, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H Richard

That appears to be a .32 Double Action. Without a S/N I couldn't know what specific model. It looks to be a S&W, and no, S&W have not made any repro's of these older models, They did make a repro of the much larger Scofield in .45 caliber in 2000. Many other makers made "similar" models to the S&W .32's, and many were of questionable quality. This one appears to have been refinished, and not by S&W, as the markings are polished off, another clue is the grips appear much more worn than the finish and that is indicative of a refinish. The weight would be about 14 oz. This gun if original would be around 100 years old and it has no special safety mechanism's, You pull the trigger and it goes off. Value of a gun in this condition, depending on the mechanical functioning, may be between $100 to $200.

Thanks so much for all the info. Much appreciated

Old 44 Guy · #4 01-26-2015, 12:50 AM

Are you sure it's a S&W ?

DWalt · #5 01-26-2015, 07:18 AM

Looks like a .38 Double Action to me, probably 4th Model. SN (on butt) would help identify and date it. The .32 version has a different appearance in its proportions.

By "Why is there no stamp on the barrel..." does that mean everything is completely blank? Nothing at all? No serial numbers? About the only way that could happen is that it has been re-plated and all markings have been buffed completely off.

No matter, that price is far too much.

glowe · #6 01-26-2015, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWalt

By . . . "Why is there no stamp on the barrel..." does that mean everything is completely blank? Nothing at all? No serial numbers? About the only way that could happen is that it has been re-plated and all markings have been buffed completely off.

Something is not right about the gun. The stocks show many decades of use and handling, yet the nickel looks fresh. If those stocks are original to the gun, it has to have been refinished and if so, a nice job. The seller is dreaming as $375, unfortunately there may be somone out there that will pay the price.

Mossyrock · #7 01-26-2015, 11:15 AM

That gun looks to have been polished and re-nickled. The hammer stud has been polished flat on the right side of the frame.

BigBill · #8 02-01-2015, 05:18 PM

44 special??