Picked this up at local gun show this morning.

Came with Brauer Bros. leather holster. Functions as it should and is in good condition.

Blueing appears to be mottled maybe due to long term storage in holster?

I had never seen a 6" barrel before.

Grips turning to brown but intact and good shape. Couldn't get them off to check for match.

Serial number 350,XXX, which I believe makes it an antique.

Any ideas on value?

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Assuming it is mechanically functional, it could be a fun shooter, but it has no collector value due to loss of finish ( partially due to being in that holster too long). The 6 in barrel is a slight plus for accurate shooting, however retail value at most gun shows would be in the $200 range, plus or minus $25. Ed.

Looks like a 4th model .38 double action pre-1898 (before s/n 382022) so antique. Clean and oil it up....I'll bet it will be a dandy shooter. Holster looks nice too.

Using the SWCA database, the production of 6" 38 DAs was about 10% of production. Considering that there were over a half-million made, that would still equate to over 50,000 6" guns sold. I will agree that you do not see many 6" up for sale today, but there was a rare variant of this model that had an 8" barrel.

Your serial number puts that revolver just past the transition time for 3rd to 4th Models, so as stated, it is most likely a 4th Model. There are no external changes visible to differentiate the 2 models, plus there was a transition period for these models, using up parts from the previous model, but it is definitely an antique as defined by the BATF and shipped around 1897-1898.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Gary, Even rarer than the 6 in & 8 in barreled .38DAs is are the 10 in and 2 in guns. There a nice nickel with ivory, 2 in ( factory special order) coming up in a large auction in Illinois a few days. Ed.

Yes Ed, but those are as close to non-existent as you can get. There are two 2" in the SWCA database. Years ago, Supica had a 3 barrel set for sale in 3.25" & 6" & 10", but that was the only 10" in the database. I am sure one of our reclusive members has that set stashed away.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Got this one out to the range today. Great shooter!

First time shooting these old Smith & Wesson's.

Here's another image of the gun.

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