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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 04-05-2016, 11:57 PM
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Default 38 Double Action Perfected Model

38 Double Action Perfected Modelucket.com/albums/ag201/sonicconnection/DSC01119_zpsxzcygwjm.jpg[/IMG]




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Old 04-06-2016, 08:59 AM
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Mark, very nice 38 Perfected, especially with the box, papers, and cleaning brush. I am wondering if you could tell me if the barrel has a 1909 or 1914 patent date? I am continuing to track this model to further refine when the switch to a safety block was made. To date, it appears to be around serial number 57,500. This patent change signaled a model number change in both the 38 M&P and the Model 1903 and I am trying to add the late production 38 Perfected to that list.

i have been opining that this design change should be given a formal model name change. Those made with the safety block should be recognized as a 38 Perfected, 1st Change revolver, just as the M&P and Model 1903 received their own model change designations.

This has been a neglected collector firearm and often thought of as an oddity, but with almost 60,000 made I would argue it was a success made during an important transition period in firearm design and smokeless powder introduction. Anyway, that is about as close to Perfected perfection as one can get.
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Old 04-06-2016, 12:25 PM
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Old 04-07-2016, 09:18 AM
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That is a great package. Did you also buy the CLUB GUN he had?
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Old 04-07-2016, 10:38 AM
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That is a great package. Did you also buy the CLUB GUN he had?
No it wasn't offered...
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Old 03-15-2018, 03:03 PM
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Default 38 S&W Perfected w/safety

I have a S&W 38 perfected w/safety, last patent date on barrel 1909, s/n 41059. would like to find the production date and value est.
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Old 03-15-2018, 03:24 PM
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Welcome to the forum these were made from 1909-1920 serial number range was 1-59400 so probably shipped in the late teens, but short of a factory letter could be sooner or later than that as they were not shipped in any particular order. We would need good clear pictures to estimate value. Starting a new thread would be better for obtaining the most information.
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Old 03-15-2018, 05:22 PM
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Welcome. There is no safety on any top-break 38. The difference between the 38 Double Action and the 38 Perfected was the added thumb release. That serial number would have shipped from the factory in the early 1910s. Slow sellers by the time this one was made, so the factory had lots of inventory, plus they did not ship in serial number order. If you are interested in an exact date, one can be had for $75 in the form of a factory letter.

There is no way to give a value estimate without good pictures or an in-hand assessment. They can sell for $200 in poor condition to maybe $700 in near perfect shape.
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Old 03-20-2018, 04:58 PM
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Default Perfected late serial no.

Gary, I found this Perfected at my LGS a couple weeks ago. Finish is not great but function is good.
IMG_0268.JPG
The serial no is 55549. The last patent date is Sept. 14, 09. Since it doesn't have the 1914 patent date, would we think it does not have the hammer block? I am not sure I know how to tell if it has it, but when the trigger returns after a snap it makes three little clicks and then the hammer is solid as a rock in rebound position.

I think it will be a good shooter but haven't had it to the range yet. BTW I gave $200 for it.
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Old 03-20-2018, 07:50 PM
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If you do not intend on dropping the revolver much - - - don't worry about the hammer block. The way to tell without taking the gun apart, pull the hammer to full cock and look at the right side of the hammer slot. If it has a hammer block safety, it would be visible. Look at the first image in the link below to see the hammer block and the last image showing one without the block. If there is no 1914 patent on your revolver barrel, it should not have the hammer block safety. The hammer block was introduced around 57,500 serial number.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/members...-pictures.html

This safety device is not to be confused with a gun safety that will prevent one from pulling the trigger and requires an action to put it on and off. A hammer block type of safety that is a passive safety feature that prevents accidental discharge if dropped on hammer.
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Old 03-21-2018, 10:44 AM
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Thanks. You're right, no hammer block on mine.
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Old 06-20-2018, 04:01 PM
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Just picked up one today. It is in the lower #57000's. Still has the Sept 14th date & no hammer block. For some reason the top latch won't close. The gun doesn't seem to have been worked on & the ears where it should latch are not shiny or worn, so it looks like it hasn't closed in a long time. I pulled the screw holding the latch & could that to go far enough to close, was just off a tiny amount. The gun is tight as new, but wasn't stored properly & has some surface issues. Any suggestions other than a smith?
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Old 06-20-2018, 04:49 PM
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Hey big, that thar is one pretty combination of a perfected. Congrats. Mike
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Old 06-20-2018, 06:32 PM
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magnificent quality package. 25 years back, most collectors sneered at Perfected revolvers. They were not yet old enough and seemed plentiful but over these years since have gotten harder to find in top conditions.

The only Perfected models I kept were the single shots. I should have kept a few of the odder configuration revolvers. (another "shoudah, wouldah, couldah" story of lament). LOL.

This one you post is just breathtaking. Congrats.
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Old 06-20-2018, 10:02 PM
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Mark-
That is a beautiful example of the 38 Double Action Perfected. Mine was given to me by my Father just before he passed away. It was a working gun purchased new by my Grandfather and carried by both he and my Father. It is no where near as pristine as yours, but the sentimental value to me is priceless. Serial #47XX. It is my intent that it stays in the family and has my new Grandson’s name on it.
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Old 06-21-2018, 09:14 AM
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Check the dates on this thread, over 2 years old and Big Tex, who revived it, did not even post pictures of his gun????????
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Old 06-21-2018, 09:44 AM
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Actually it was M14guy that revived this 2 year old thread in March. Still a neat package and I would have not seen it had the thread not been brought back.
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Old 06-21-2018, 10:18 AM
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Actually it was M14guy that revived this 2 year old thread in March . . .
Yup, you're right. Still want Big Tex to know that we like photos.
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Old 06-21-2018, 02:48 PM
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Wowzers, that is perfect! I just posted about mine that I recently inherited from my dad. SN 3120.
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Old 07-11-2018, 11:46 AM
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Thank you guys for reviving my post snd the very nice comments. I have been off grid for a while but not done yet of pushing up daisies. I will make a few new posts in the next week.
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