**Update** .38 Double Action Perfected without the thumb latch.

Club Gun Fan · #1 05-01-2016, 07:30 PM

I bought this at a gun show a few weeks ago. It is a .38 Double Action Perfected Model. When I first looked at the dealer told me he had no idea what it was. He said he had it for a few years and decided to move it. I'm glad he did. The serial number is 43602. It is in nickel with a 6 inch barrel and has walnut extension stocks. A check of company records reveal that it is one of 1000 units shipped to Cowdrey, New York City on January 30, 1913 for export to the Brazilian market. These 1000 units between serial numbers 43001 to 44000 were made for Brazil. They did not want the thumb latch. The blue .38 D A Perfected is one of my Club Guns and I've included it for comparison. It is only the second one known at the present time.Since I posted this, I've had PM's phone calls and a text. Seems there are more here then originally thought.

merl67 · #2 05-01-2016, 09:35 PM

WOW just WOW a rare one for sure !

glowe · #3 05-02-2016, 08:41 AM

Thanks for sharing that oddity of the 38 Perfected world. I was aware of one other example being reported, but that is the first one I have ever seen.

You stated that that Perfected was one of 1000 send to Brazil. I assume the distributor got all 1000, or was it possible that the order was not totally filled?? Would the S&W Historical Foundation have any documentation from Cowdrey?

Don, I forgot to ask about the target stocks on both your guns? At one time Roy told me that it was not unusual to find that the factory applied target stocks on the Perfected revolvers. I have one example that had target walnut diamond stocks, but the serial number was not on the front strap. I cannot quite tell if either of yours has the front strap serial number?? I guess if you special ordered the target stocks with the gun, the factory might not re-stamp the gun??

Club Gun Fan · #4 05-02-2016, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glowe

Thanks for sharing that oddity of the 38 Perfected world. I was aware of one other example being reported, but that is the first one I have ever seen.

You stated that that Perfected was one of 1000 send to Brazil. I assume the distributor got all 1000, or was it possible that the order was not totally filled?? Would the S&W Historical Foundation have any documentation from Cowdrey?

Don, I forgot to ask about the target stocks on both your guns? At one time Roy told me that it was not unusual to find that the factory applied target stocks on the Perfected revolvers. I have one example that had target walnut diamond stocks, but the serial number was not on the front strap. I cannot quite tell if either of yours has the front strap serial number?? I guess if you special ordered the target stocks with the gun, the factory might not re-stamp the gun??

Gary
I haven't had a chance to check the sn range to see how many went to Cowdrey. The serial number on both of mine are on the butt. The blued example is a Club Gun and the front strap is stamped CLUB PISTOL.
I'll check with the SWHF to see what records they have.

deadin · #5 05-03-2016, 07:42 PM

Here's another one and I think it's still in Brazil....

Help to Identify a top break revolver

Club Gun Fan · #6 05-11-2016, 09:02 AM

Don, I forgot to ask about the target stocks on both your guns? At one time Roy told me that it was not unusual to find that the factory applied target stocks on the Perfected revolvers. I have one example that had target walnut diamond stocks, but the serial number was not on the front strap. I cannot quite tell if either of yours has the front strap serial number?? I guess if you special ordered the target stocks with the gun, the factory might not re-stamp the gun??
__________________
Gary
SWCA 2515 Grip is a verb
Gary
In the 1911 "POLICE MODELS" catalog page 5 shows a PERFECTED model with target stocks.

policerevolvercollector · #7 05-14-2016, 11:59 PM

Congrats!! That is a real find!!

Best,
Charles