Looking for info on a Top Break, Auto extractor revolver. S/N is 216X5X. Caliber is 38 S&W CTG. Barrel length is 3 1/4" with top break fixed sight.
What is the model number and value?

Welcome to the Forum. Is your gun a Smith & Wesson? Blue or nickel finish? Post some photos showing condition, as that is the key to value. Ed.

Yes it is a Smith & Wesson. It is blued with about 1 1/4" of wear on the front of the barrel and top of the front blade sight.

Welcome to the forum.

As Ed stated above, value and condition are synonymous. Without photos it is impossible to give a realistic opinion. Even with photos it is not always easy. Some folks 95% condition is other folks 90%. 1% of condition difference in the range between 90% and 100% can mean hundreds of dollars with some guns.

S&W antiques are soft right now as the younger generation wants black plastic guns that hold 20 to 1,000 rounds. The older collectors that appreciate the antiques are either dying off or selling their stuff in anticipation of dying off. Add to that fact that S&W made many of these models in the 100's of thousands and unless you have a pristine example, price will be low.

Typically, a gun like you describe will fall into a range of $200 to $700 with condition and extras setting the price.

A near perfect example with the original box and tools will bring top dollar whereas a lesser example not so much.

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James Redfield
LM #497

The other reason for photos is to determine for sure that the gun is a S&W. We don't know your expertise so no insult is meant but some folks come here thinking that because their gun shoots the .38 S&W cartridge and is so marked on the barrel that it has to be a S&W. Sometimes it turns out they own an Iver Johnson instead.

There are also many many S&W copies out there that will even have Smith and Wesson, Springfield, MA roll stamped on the barrel rib that turn out to be fakes.

So, we are not trying to be difficult but merely trying to give you honest and real information.

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James Redfield
LM #497

A .38 Safety Hammerless with a 216,000 serial number was probably made in the mid-1900 decade, perhaps 1905 or '06. If mechanically sound and finish worn as you describe it, I would agree with the lower end of James' value range - many survivors and low collector interest at present.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! If it has a trigger guard, it is a .38 Double Action. I don't have my SCSW in front of me so can't say what change.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Thanks Guys. I appreciate you responses.
WSD