My neighbor has a blue steel Smith and Wesson .38 revolver that his father carried as a St. Louis Police Officer in the 1930's.

Serial number 417260

On top of the barrel the following is stamped:
S&W Springfield MASS USA
Pat'd May 11. 1880. Jan. 3. 1882. April 9. 1882

It's in fairly good shape and everything works.

He's interested in selling it but does not know what it's worth and doesn't want to be taken advantage of.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

You need a period expert; but IIRC the top breaks were discontinued prior to WWI

Edit SCS&W puts 417xxx around "1905ish"................

Hello and welcome. Be glad to help. You help us with some pics and more info. You will get the straight Poop here.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

I'd agree with Bam-Bam that, if it is a top break and the serial number is correct, it is probably a .38 Double Action (4th Model). Another top break gun, the Safety Hammerless model, was produced in the 1930's (when his father was an officer), but there was no Safety Hammerless with the serial number that you show.
As mentioned, a picture or two would be enormously helpful, particularly so if you are looking for some estimate of value.

Perhaps I should have checked this before my earlier response, but here is a picture (not a great one, but it gives you the idea) of a .38 Double Action 3rd Model S&W. The patent dates on the top of the barrel are the same as your first two (i.e., May 11, 1880 and Jan. 3, 1882), so presumably what you are looking at is a later 4th model with an additional patent date.

Attached Images

IMG_2335.jpg (51.4 KB, 89 views)

Neat barrel length. 6"? Value? Depends on shootable condition.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Yes a 6", but mine, not the one that the OP is requesting information about. Just trying to provide a picture of the gun that he/she is trying to identify.
Perhaps the OP will provide a picture or two to help ascertain the value.

To OP that gun may be marked as a .38; but be careful, as a top break I'm sure it's not .38 special and it may not even be .38S&W ....... the top breaks were discontinued because (in part) they are not as strong as solid top strap guns