Identification

rsnipes · #1 09-02-2016, 03:48 PM

Thanks in advance for assistance.

Inusuit · #2 09-02-2016, 05:03 PM

You will get better information if you read the sticky at the top of each section of this forum that describes what you need to tell us in order that we might give you an accurate evaluation of your firearm. From your pictures, I can't tell the barrel length, which could have an impact on rarity and therefore value. If it is in fact a Smith and Wesson, it may be a .38 Double Action 4th Model made between 1895 and 1909. The serial number for that range is 322701 to 539000. So I can extrapolate that your revolver was made near the end of that series, maybe 1908 or 1909. It is probably safe for current .38 S&W ammunition, NOT .38 S&W Special which should not chamber in your revolver anyway. Note that some revolvers marked ".38 Smith and Wesson CTG" may not have been made by S&W as this is the cartridge (CTG) designation, not an indication of the maker.

gmborkovic · #3 09-02-2016, 07:05 PM

That is a nice old SH ( New Departure) in 38 cal. From the looks of the back strap it may be a Police Dept. gun. A few more pics would help a lot.

JSR III · #4 09-02-2016, 07:25 PM

Welcome to the forum.

As others have stated, a few more photos from a little farther away of both sides would help.

A couple of questions for my colleagues here on the forum.

Do S&W copies or non S&W guns have the funky little marks before and after the caliber designation like we find on S&W's?

Do these other guns use the lazy "&" found on older S&W's?

I ask only because these appear on the OP's gun and might lend a little insight when looking at this and future unknown guns.

deadin · #5 09-02-2016, 08:06 PM

Just going by the caliber and serial number, it appears to be a very late .38 Double Action 4th Model made in a range of 322701-539000 from 1895 to 1909.
(It's not a "New Departure" aka "Safety" as the serial is too high and there is no grip safety.)

Of course there's always the chance it is a copy of some sort. We need more detailed pictures to determine this.

mmaher94087 · #6 09-02-2016, 08:29 PM

I'll bet a dollar that deadin nailed it. The numbers on the back strap are possibly Police Department "Rack Numbers" which were used for property identification purposes. A factory letter may help but only if it shipped to the PD directly and not a distributor. The latter is more probable.

glowe · #7 09-02-2016, 09:25 PM

Welcome to the Forum. You have a 38 Double Action, 5th Model. You can see the rear of the hammer in the OPs's last picture. Your revolver was shipped from the factory around 1910, making it a very late production gun. I don't have the end number at my fingertips, but I think The end was around 550,000.