I have received my stepfathers old top break S&W (Model 3?) s/n 1144xx and would appreciate any information on value, year of manufacture, desirability. etc.

It has lost a lot of blueing but is not pitted and seems to be mechanically solid with good lock-up and timing. The barrel looks good too. Thanks in advance for your help.

Produced from 1887-1940
As a rule unless they are near perfect they don't bring a lot of money as there were a lot of them made. Smith dubbed the "New Departure" as it was a departure from everything they had done to that point. Also referred to as the "Lemon Squeezer"


Interestingly enough, S&W chose that design for its 100th anniversary Centennial model which would become the Model 40 and its offspring.


My very first factory historical letter (back when they were FREE) was on one of these my grandfather found in a trash can in Emporia KS.

1144XX is right on the cusp of being an antique made before Jan. 1, 1899, or a Curio & Relic made slightly after that date, and considered a firearm by the ATF. Only a Factory Historical letter will tell you for sure. Ed.

Hello fishy, appears to be a nice old 38 SH. Still some factory blue and no chips out of the stocks. I have been watching and buying them for 50 years. The only ones that people collect are pristine in the box, minty 2" examples that are correct, MOP factory grips, and engraved guns. Only basing this on what I see at shows/clubs. Still a nice old curio piece. Best

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

No need for a factory letter to determine whether you have an antique or modern revolver. The BATF and Roy Jinks cleared that issue up in 1972. The cut-off for antique status for the 38 Safety revolver was 119,900, so you have an antique gun as far as the BATF is concerned.

Shipping date is another matter. Looking at serial numbers, your gun could have been shipped from the factory in 1898 or 1899.

There were over a quarter million of the 38 Safety manufactrured, so value is low unless it was in pristine condition. I would guess that your revolver would be worth around $200 - $250.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Hello fishy, jump on $250, and giggle. Gary is spot on for value. If someone has to have it. Still a nice little gun. Best

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

I think I paid $250 for mine which, if IRC, is a Model 4. I've shot it, too - it definitely works. Fun gun to own!!! Good luck!

Thank you much for all the information. I did not think it was that old so that is good to know. Is it a Model 3?

Fishy, was that gun being stored in a holster? If so, it needs to stay in a silicon sock or rug to stop the rusting. I'm not sure I'd go as high as $250. They rarely get above $200 in my area unless they are in much better condition.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

The Line between the 3rd and 4th Model is 116002 (last 3rd Model) and 116003 (1st 4th Model) At 1144xx your Gun is definitely a 3rd Model and well inside the Pre 1899 point as all 3rd Models are.

The 4th Model had the new T Shaped Barrel Latch and as stated 119,900 is the Cut Off; so several Thousand 4th Models were made before 1899 also.

Private and Gun Show Sales are a bit different to the Auction Sites on the Interweb and I've seen these go for $350-400. Not that I'd pay that either and prices vary, one went last week for $97!! and was a 5'' barrelled one. (a tad more uncommon)

it all depends on who's looking for one and what they're prepared to pay.

$200 sounds about right to me.

It may have been stored in a holster at one time but I'm keeping it in a rug. I did lightly oil it and wipe it down with a silicone cloth (a couple times).

Thank you much for your input.

I just inherited one of these. All I can find for a serial number is on the butt of the pistol and is 16379. This seems to be short a number or two? Patents listed on the barrel appear to go up to Oct 2, 93'. Is there some way to determine model, date of MFG from this number?

Attached Images

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If this is a hammerless, and I cant tell from the photo, it would be, according to the serial number, a 2nd model Safety Hammerless, and they were made from 1887 til 1890. Some photos of the whole gun would help us to identify it. Serial numbers ranged form 5251 to 42843. So I'm guessing 1888-1889?

Best regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Welcome to the Forum. I do not see a 1893 patent date on your picture? What I do see is a Aug 4, 1885. I am going out on a limb here and say you have a 32 Safety Hammerless, 1st Model revolver. That top rib address & patent line only go with early 32 and 38 Safety, 1st Model revolvers, but the 38 with that serial number would have to be a 2nd Model with different barrel stamping. If a 32 Safety, 1st it would have shipped around 1890

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Good eye, Gary. I was just still thinking about the 38s from the OP's post.

Mea culpa.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064