Top break identity question

Matt Black · #1 10-16-2016, 01:08 PM

I have a S&W safety hammerless that I'd like to know a little more about it and this looks like the place that can do it!

It is nickle with pearl, 5in barrel, looks like .38 S&W although I can't find it marked anywhere. Trigger guard is blued, trigger is case hardened. Serial number is stamped on the butt and cylinder, both numbers match.

I'd like to know what specific model it is.

Thank you all for any help,

Dave

gmborkovic · #2 10-16-2016, 01:41 PM

#62506 SH 3rd model. 5" ,factory nickel with nice MOPs
You have an antique, ref. BATFE. I would say 38 S&W cal. Nice little gun. Best

H Richard · #3 10-16-2016, 01:49 PM

You have a very attractive looking 3rd Model of the 38 Safety Hammerless. The pearl grips look to be aftermarket, as nearly all the factory grips had the S&W medallion embedded in the side of the grips. The 3rd model was produced from 1890-1898, in the s/n range of 42484 - 116002. It was produced in a 3 1/4", 4", 5", and 6" barrel length. Your nicely preserved one would have a value in the $350 to $500 range. S&W made 5 versions of the 38 Safety Hammerless, with minor variations in the design.

Welcome to the S&W Forum, whatever your questions might be there is most probably someone who will be able to answer them for you. Collecting these older S&W's can be a rewarding activity.

In addition to the 38 Safety Hammerless, S&W produced the .32 Safety Hammerless in about the same time frame, it being a slightly smaller handgun. It was made in 3 model variations. (I happen to collect the 32's),

While these 125 year old guns can be used (if mechanically o.k.), they serve better as decorations for our hobby. (These are my 32's).

And even more interesting both the 38 and 32 versions were produced by special order in a 2" version. They are much more scarce and more difficult to find. They do provide you with "something" to always be hunting for.
My 2"

sw44russ · #4 10-16-2016, 04:07 PM

Love your Bicycle Gun H Richard; pic saved to my 'S&W Porn' Folder!!

Matt Black · #5 10-16-2016, 07:19 PM

Thank you both for the information! This was given to my Mother by my Grandfather. She has had it since I remember (I'm 45) and decided today was the day I should have it. She was planning on giving it to me at Christmas, but my son is leaving for the Navy in Nov and she wanted him to see it. Neither of my Parents are much into firearms so I'm not sure where I got the gun gene from but my Son also got it.

It means a lot to me to know more about this particular revolver, thank you again.

Dave

glowe · #6 10-16-2016, 08:14 PM

Welcome to the Forum. I agree that you have a very nice 38 Safety Hammerless, 3rd Model, shipped in 1891. These are fun guns to shoot with any standard 38 S&W ammunition. They can be a little challenging to get good accuracy since the double action only offers a stiff trigger pull, but if you pull slowly you can feel a stop when the hammer is at full cock. A gentle pull from there will fire the revolver. With a little practice, you will get good results on target.

Great family heirloom.

Forgot to add that I really like short barreled Safeties. I did find a little blued 32 Bicycle Gun, but have not been able to resist nicely done cut barreled revolvers as well. Just thinking about when and why these were cut conjures up all sorts of old time concealed carry owners. Some fine upstanding people probable carried this type of gun, but some shady characters might also have owned my little revolvers.

mmaher94087 · #7 10-16-2016, 08:36 PM

"The pearl grips look to be aftermarket, as nearly all the factory grips had the S&W medallion embedded in the side of the grips." This is true for factory supplied pearls after about 1893 - 95. Pearls supplied from Smith & Wesson prior to that time may be correct. A letter should confirm the originality of your revolver.

glowe · #8 10-16-2016, 09:36 PM

Mike - I mentioned the ship date as 1891, which makes those stocks correct for the era of the revolver. There is a good chance that a penciled serial number may still be on the inside of the right stock.

I just reviewed the images again and see that they do not fit the frame, so agree they are not the original stocks for the gun. Correct era, but replaced from another gun somewhere during its long life. S&W revolvers were finished by hand and the stocks would have been fitted precisely to the butt-frame before final finishing, so would have been a perfect fit. Some ivory stocks shrink over time, but not pearls or hard rubber.

simmitt · #9 10-16-2016, 10:15 PM

Her is my early smith. Mr Roy did a letter on my gon and all items were correct, but the grips. My gun was shipped to the largest in us in New York, and he did special orders and would have changed the stocks, but a letter fro Roy would give you all the info as it was shipped. Great looking gun.

JSR III · #10 10-17-2016, 07:43 AM

Nice piece and since your son has the gene it can continue to be handed down through the family. Ask your mother to write down all she remembers about the gun, where grandpa got it or when if she remembers. Some of us have failed to get this information and after a bunch of years it can be lost to time.

Since it IS a family gun, I would also probably invest the $75 for a factory history letter. Send a few good close up photos with your request and ask any specific questions that you might have. You may not get a lot of information as it probably shipped to some mercantile outfit of the time, but the letters look cool when displayed with the gun and every once and a while, some very interesting factoid surfaces.

mmaher94087 · #11 10-17-2016, 11:44 AM

Gary, although I didn't say it; the pearls appear to be added later. I'd guess by the distributor. The fit leaves a bit to be desired.

BRush · #12 10-17-2016, 12:04 PM

Nice legacy Hammerless. I too am a fan.

Personally, I always liked the longer barrels.