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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 02-21-2015, 10:16 AM
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.38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial #  
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Default .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial #

Waiting to see how it letters.
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File Type: jpg IMG_0007.JPG (82.1 KB, 139 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_0009.JPG (86.4 KB, 130 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_0015.JPG (148.5 KB, 121 views)
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Old 02-21-2015, 11:30 AM
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.38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial #  
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Interesting gun. The grips won't be original, and don't fit all that well. There may be a question of it being refinished, as the latch ends appear to be nickel, but should be blue. Hoping it letters with that barrel length.
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Old 02-21-2015, 11:50 AM
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.38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial #  
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Looking at the second picture, of the butt, it looks like there was maybe pitting there at one time that was nickled over?

Or am I seeing that wrong? I'm not much of a nickel guy, but on bluing seeing something like that would make me jump straight to re-finish.

Neat gun though, I've long wanted one of these perfecteds and that barrel length looks great on the gun.
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Old 02-21-2015, 12:07 PM
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.38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial #  
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Thanks for the input, members. The grips do stand proud at the top of the frame. Almost like they were from a .32 Safety hammerless.They are scalloped nicely, though.The case hardening in the protected part of the hammer is quite good. Notice the S&W logo/TM is on the left side, and about 1/2 inch?
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Old 02-21-2015, 02:05 PM
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.38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial #  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hunter Keith View Post
Notice the S&W logo/TM is on the left side, and about 1/2 inch?
My #3946 (with rack number) is only 876 guns from yours and also has the logo on the left side. I don't think there is anything unusual about this.

The grips are more likely from an I or J frame - .32 New Departure grips would be much smaller.

Interesting gun, but I think it has been refinished (the pins on the left side have been polished flat and the butt looks rounded). I'd bet that the barrel has been shortened. It would be the first 2" Perfected I have seen.
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File Type: jpg perfected 3.jpg (72.5 KB, 45 views)
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Old 02-21-2015, 02:21 PM
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.38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial #  
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I would love to shoot that gun, but it is unlikely it will letter to its current configuration. Looking at the front sight, it appears to be set in a slot, but the Perfected revolver had a forged front sight with the barrel. Even if the factory were to manufacture a special order gun, they would have at least pinned the sight, but I cannot find any indication of a pin in the rib? Also, there is no mention of a 2" Perfected in Jinks book, the 3 1/2" was the shortest listed.
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Old 02-22-2015, 09:23 AM
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.38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial #  
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You guys have good eyes and knowledge. I did not notice the front sight was in a slot! And the shortened bbl. would explain no Patent dates on top. They were nickled over. And the top latch is not blue, but nickel. Finally found one on GB to compare.Is there any possibility, this is factory work?
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Old 02-22-2015, 10:53 AM
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.38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial #  
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Quote:
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. . . Is there any possibility, this is factory work?
I do not think the factory would have ever released a revolver of any make or model with a front sight not pinned to the barrel. They never glued or soldered these sight into the barrel slot. Also, there has to be a factory return mark of some sort, most likely a star or a date inside the butt-frame.
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Old 02-22-2015, 10:58 AM
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.38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial #  
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Thanks Gary! I did not notice the butt rounded off, either. Someone made a snubbie out of a "Perfected" It does lock up tight, cycles perfectly. What would be its value, in its configuration?
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Old 02-22-2015, 11:45 AM
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.38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial #  
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I have bought a nice cut barrel 38 DA, plus a 32 Safety, both with 2" barrels, and nicely done for less than $200 each, but the Perfected is typically a higher priced revolver. Bottom line is that people would like to have it as a shooter or conversation piece, but would be unlikely there is much value there.
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Old 02-22-2015, 12:27 PM
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.38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial # .38 S&W "Perfected" 4 digit Serial #  
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Again thanks Gary. Broke even, with the factory letter coming. I will shoot it now, with some NOS Western, .38 S&W.
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