I'm hoping you all can help me figure out how old this is and if there is anything interesting about this particular model. I believe it's a model 3.

It was my dad's cousin's father's gun and no one seems to know much about it anymore.

Top Break
SN 6904 or 6804 (2nd character is kind of weird looking)
38 S&W CTG
Barrel length?
Fixed sights

Hello Rexinthecity, You have there is a .38 Double action perfected Model. I would say its got lots of character. Manufactured from 1909 to 1920 and yours is an early one. It fires a round called 38 S&W not to be mistaken for 38 special. Great little pistols.

Everett

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Everett Briggs
SWCA#3124

Don't know enough about these but something looks odd, as if perhaps it is a copy but the part of the barrel roll stamp that is shown, looks ok. You never know.

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

Definitely a Perfected model, the ultimate S&W .38 DA top break. Too bad it's not in a little better condition. They are not often seen. Probably it doesn't warrant being called "rare" but it's certainly uncommon. .38 S&W ammo is still made, but most retail outlets don't carry it. You would probably be able to find a dealer to special order it for you. Some can usually be found at gun shows. Usually not cheap.

Thanks for the quick response and the tip on the ammo. I had just assumed 38 S&W was another name for 38 special.

I've never owned a firearm this old before. It seems mechanically sound and I can't find any cracks in the frame. Do people still shoot these or are they just for display?

Shoot it. You won't hurt it.

Welcome to the Forum. The proper name for this model is simply 38 Perfected, not 38 Double Action. I have a few of these and they shoot and function just fine. The 38 S&W that is currently available is made by Remington & Winchester is perfectly fine to shoot in your revolver. All of the examples made in this model are "modern" firearms, introduced in 1909. It is not a common gun to find, but there were almost 60,000 made. It is speculated that they were popular export guns for Europe and South America, which may be why not many are seen in the U.S.

If you are interested, there is more information on this model in the following link. http://smith-wessonforum.com/blog.php?b=109

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Great find there Rex. I'm not a collector so will defer to the more knowledgable here on the forum on that. The 38S&W though... I acquired a Pre Victory not too long ago in 38 S&W and the forum here convinced me the best purpose for this firearm is a shooter. Worried about ammo,I started looking around. Almost a full box of ammo, about 25 years old, came with the pistol, my son found a couple boxes @ an Academy in the Houston area and on a local sporting website I found 1000+ rounds for sale. 1 sealed and one opened can of 500 each, imported military(?) stuff and some opened boxes of various commercial stuff. All brass, boxer primed. With the addition of a set of dies I now am set for life on ammo for my firearm. I have also seen it advertised on various sporting goods (Midway + more) web sites. It is a very mild round which even Mrs Lobo enjoys shooting and is one of my "planted" home defense arms.

I had a Perfected model like this many years back. Nicklel, 3 1/4 " bbl., Perfect hard rubber grips, # 1xx. Was about 98%, wish I still had it.

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! In my area, the big box sporting goods stores all carry .38 S&W. You shouldn't have any problems finding it. The .38 S&W was originally loaded with black powder. When smokeless powder became available, the ammo manufacturers made sure the energy in the cartridges didn't change so the abundant (at the time) black powder guns could use it. Your Perfected was made after most S&W guns were easily digesting smokeless loads. It should be fine with standard load commercial ammo.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629