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Old 07-13-2017, 10:05 PM
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38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number 38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number 38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number 38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number 38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number  
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Default 38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number

Came across this revolver a few days ago. Not the greatest shape but sometimes uniqueness trumps condition for me.

What is the earliest known serial number for the 38 double action 2nd model? The books say about serial number 4000 but here is an example of one with an earlier number.

Mark
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Old 07-14-2017, 10:40 AM
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38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number 38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number 38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number 38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number 38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number  
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Looks like you found the earliest documented 2nd. Have you checked the database?
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Old 07-14-2017, 03:48 PM
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38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number 38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number 38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number 38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number 38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number  
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I don't know how to check the database or where to find it.

Mark
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Old 07-14-2017, 06:52 PM
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38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number 38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number 38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number 38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number 38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number  
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About all I can say is that "History of S&W" says it started at SN 4001 in 1880. Regardless, yours looks like a second model, so the book is obviously incorrect.

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Old 07-14-2017, 07:06 PM
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38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number 38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number 38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number 38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number 38 Double Action 2nd Model Serial Number  
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I've always been suspicious of these Model "changes" that happened exactly on a major number such as 4000, etc.
I can't believe that S&W, when they realized that they had a turkey in production, waited for a nice even number to make the change or made exactly 4000 guns and then realized they had a bummer on their hands. I don't think things were quite that neat and orderly.
It is my understanding that most of the serial ranges published are just an estimation based on observations rather than actual records.
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Old 07-14-2017, 07:21 PM
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Definitely a 2nd Model with the round sideplate and the early trigger configuration. The SWCA database shows a 1st Model with 3000 serial number and a 2nd Model with 3900 serial number, so your revolver pushes back the 2nd Model introduction to somewhere in the mid-3000s. Great looking mottled stocks.
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Old 07-14-2017, 07:39 PM
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Regardless of the finish condition of the gun, those red mottled stocks are a real plus. You don't see those all too often.
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