Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Antiques
o

Notices

S&W Antiques S&W Lever Action Pistols, Tip-Up Revolvers, ALL Top-Break Revolvers, and ALL Single Shots


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 08-16-2017, 11:07 PM
Beveaux Beveaux is offline
Member
Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification  
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times in 2 Posts
Default Another Top Break Needs Identification

Smith & Wesson Topbreak
Serial number is 73724.
Exposed hammer. T-latch.
Patent dates are January 24,65; July 11, 65; Aug 24, 69; July 25, 71; Dec 2, 79; May 11, 1880.



Reply With Quote
The Following 7 Users Like Post:
  #2  
Old 08-17-2017, 08:23 AM
ddeanjohnson's Avatar
ddeanjohnson ddeanjohnson is offline
SWCA Member
Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification  
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Maryland, USA
Posts: 348
Likes: 180
Liked 479 Times in 69 Posts
Default .38 Double-Action 2nd Model

You don't say what it is chambered for, but it appears to be the .38 Double-Action 2nd Model (chambered in .38 S&W). These were produced 1880-1884. The serial number places this example about midway through the production run, so it dates to 1882 or 1883. The grips may be later additions.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-17-2017, 09:00 AM
glowe's Avatar
glowe glowe is online now
US Veteran

Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification  
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Michigan Western UP
Posts: 12,916
Likes: 3,028
Liked 14,258 Times in 5,435 Posts
Default

Welcome to the Forum. Dean gave you the model and manufacture date, so not too much to add, other than Mother-of-Pearl stocks were an option when ordering a revolver from the factory. The distributors also offered a post-manufacture selection of MOPs as well. Your revolver was made before the addition of gold medallions in the top round of the stocks, so those could be original to the gun. Normally, the factory stocks are much thicker and provide a perfect fit to the gun, but the only way to be sure is to get a factory letter that will tell you exactly how the gun left the factory.

I cannot tell from the photos if the trigger and hammer are plated or not, but look too shiny for original, so may have been buffed?? The finish is of the type that looks too good to be true, but cannot tell without a detailed inspection. Unfortunately, the 38 Double Actions do not command much value, mostly because there were over a half-million made, but are great examples of the typical high quality manufacture from S&W.
__________________
Gary
SWCA 2515

Last edited by glowe; 08-17-2017 at 09:02 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-17-2017, 01:03 PM
Wiregrassguy's Avatar
Wiregrassguy Wiregrassguy is online now
SWCA Member
Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification  
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: AL Wiregrass
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 34,560
Liked 10,739 Times in 3,659 Posts
Default

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass!
__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-17-2017, 08:09 PM
JSR III's Avatar
JSR III JSR III is offline
SWCA Member
Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Massachusetts USA
Posts: 9,575
Likes: 3,695
Liked 8,924 Times in 3,545 Posts
Default

Welcome to the forum.

Quote:
I cannot tell from the photos if the trigger and hammer are plated or not, but look too shiny for original
My sentiments exactly. Although I cannot tell from the photos if the gun is refinished, it almost looks too pristine for 100+ years unless it lived in a museum. Only a close up and personal examination will say for sure. Still a very neat gun.
__________________
James Redfield
LM #497
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-17-2017, 11:45 PM
mmaher94087 mmaher94087 is offline
SWCA Member
Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,562
Likes: 4
Liked 2,494 Times in 1,296 Posts
Default

Maybe this is where my ****** monitor is useful. That revolver appears to be in almost new condition. I'd purchase that Double Action in a heartbeat. I see no indications of any refinish or polishing. The lighting doesn't show off the case colors on the hammer and trigger very well but, without a hands-on examination, I believe this is a very fine example of the quality of work produced by Smith & Wesson at that time.
__________________
Mike Maher #283
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-12-2017, 05:20 PM
BMur BMur is offline
Member
Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification  
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 1,779
Liked 4,511 Times in 1,658 Posts
Default

Wonderful piece of history. The model II 38 top break is surpassed only by the model I in rarity. Especially in this condition. Re-finished or not it commands value. I do honestly suspect those pearl grips as being aftermarket. I have 3 in my collection that letter and the top of the grip profile where it meets the frame is flush on all of them with the butt being rounded. Not flat like these. The factory grips always fit "Perfectly". Likely a Major Distributor addition during period of use. A factory letter would confirm it. Still a beauty.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-12-2017, 07:36 PM
glowe's Avatar
glowe glowe is online now
US Veteran

Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification  
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Michigan Western UP
Posts: 12,916
Likes: 3,028
Liked 14,258 Times in 5,435 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BMur View Post
Wonderful piece of history. The model II 38 top break is surpassed only by the model I in rarity . . .
The 38 Double Action, 2nd Model revolver was made from serial number 4001 to 119,000, so are not rare or scarce and when all models are added up, the 38 DA totals over a half-million made. When asked (and sometimes when not asked), we try to give the most accurate assessment as possible and the others on the Forum will help out if we are in error. There is no argument here that it is a very nice looking revolver, but unfortunately they remain low value guns compared to many other models.
__________________
Gary
SWCA 2515
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-13-2017, 12:14 AM
iby iby is offline
Member
Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 930
Likes: 2,054
Liked 828 Times in 334 Posts
Default

Re Refinish
I see no hammer stud
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 09-13-2017, 08:42 AM
JSR III's Avatar
JSR III JSR III is offline
SWCA Member
Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Massachusetts USA
Posts: 9,575
Likes: 3,695
Liked 8,924 Times in 3,545 Posts
Default

Upon closer examination by enlarging the photos, I see no evidence of flattened round pins or any indication that the gun is refinished other than the outstanding condition that it presents. I think that we collectors see so many abused and finish challenged guns that we begin to question any gun that appears to be too good to be true.

I will say that if the gun IS refinished, then it was an outstanding job and one that did not leave any of the telltale signs of said refinish.

Like Mike, I would add that one to my collection without much hesitation whether it is original or not. It is still an amazing example of what a new S&W looked like coming off the factory floor.
__________________
James Redfield
LM #497
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 09-13-2017, 08:58 AM
S&WsRsweet S&WsRsweet is offline
Member
Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification  
Join Date: May 2017
Location: TTown Alabama ,Roll Tide
Posts: 1,652
Likes: 9,772
Liked 2,220 Times in 1,031 Posts
Default

Nice gun welcome to the forum ,hope you stick around and become a rabid ah I mean avid reader and collector.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 09-16-2017, 12:31 AM
BMur BMur is offline
Member
Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification Another Top Break Needs Identification  
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 1,779
Liked 4,511 Times in 1,658 Posts
Default

Collecting the early Smiths like this one is often not specific to numbers manufactured but "Early production" and "Condition". In this case, finding a model II 38 top break(Circa 1880's) in this condition is definitely scarce. Been collecting for a while and you don't see them in this condition very often. That translates to value and a solid investment!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Top-break identification help Millertimeisnow S&W Antiques 11 09-12-2017 04:59 PM
Top Break Identification duck32man S&W Antiques 4 07-04-2015 07:47 AM
Top break identification help cproctor S&W Antiques 8 09-06-2014 06:12 PM
S&W Top Break Identification Engel22GL S&W Antiques 2 02-13-2013 04:29 PM
Top-break identification torpedo363 New Members Introduction 7 10-15-2010 08:41 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:48 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)