Hello all! Have lurked here for awhile and finally decided to join up last night because I need some help. I have an opportunity to purchase a 38 S&W Perfected Model from an estate sale. Nobody seems to have any idea what it's worth and I'm trying to pick it up before it hits the public view. I noticed right away that it is missing the side cylinder latch button and there is something occupying the screw hole. I hope to have an opportunity to handle it Friday evening to find out more about the mechanical condition. Based on the pix and the missing part, can y'all give me an idea what a fair offer would be? TIA

Later!

Simi

Well, not sure what went wrong, but none of the pic links worked. Will try to solve the problem tomorrow. Thanks for your patience.

Later!

Simi

I figured out the problem. I haven't used Photobucket in so long, I didn't realize I couldn't link to it anymore unless I pay them. So, I guess I gotta figure out another way to post pix. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Later!


Simi

Welcome to the Forum. Try the instructions in this link. http://smith-wessonforum.com/faq.php...b3_attachments

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Gary
SWCA 2515

I saw one Saturday at the local gun show. I think they were asking $800 but that is just a WAG on my part. They don't come around that often and I would think that finding parts for one would be a bear. That button is unique to that gun IIRC so it could be real hard to find.

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James Redfield
LM #497

Since the Perfected was built on the 1903 I frame, the cylinder release button from that model should work. It is held on by a slotted nut, not a screw.

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Tom
1560

I paid $300.00 mine in 2012....

Lettered with the MOP grips....

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! From the description you gave, I wouldn't give more than $200 for it. Here is what the SCSW, 4th Ed. says:

ANIB Exc+ Exc Fine VG Good Fair Poor
1800 800 ..650 450 285 225 150 100

(Page 97).

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

We really need a picture of the side latch area as there were some Perfected made without the side latch. They are fairly scarce and will bring a premium....

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

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Ok, looks like I got pix attached...THANK YOU glowe!! This will give everyone a better idea of what I'm looking at. My friend sent me these cell phone pix, but I'm hoping to see the weapon in person tomorrow night and will get an idea of it's mechanical condition. Thanks for all the replies thus far!

Later!

Simi

Thanks for this info! I always thought a screw held the latch on. So, this means I'll need to look for two parts; the nut and the latch. I'll check Numrich and Bob's. Thanks again!

Later!

Simi

Simi, You can be sure the finish that is left is original and the gun has not been modified of refinished. The missing side-latch can easily be found, since the frame and components were modified from a Model 1903, 32 Hand Ejector. Most parts for this gun are readily available, not only because of the abundance of 32 HE internal parts, but because the barrel assembly is made up of 38 Double Action parts. A 38 DA, 5th Model barrel assembly will drop right into a Perfected revolver.

As for value, the same gun could sell from $250 to $500, depending on the seller's description, or if the potential buyers/bidders know what they are buying. There were almost 60,000 made, so they are relatively common, but I think most current owners are holding onto them and not many come up for sale.

For comparison to yours, I bought this 4" Perfected for $450 last year. If I sold it tomorrow, it might bring $500.

I forgot to mention that revolver might be one of less than 2000 made with the 1914 patented improved hammer block. I have been lobbying for a 1st Change designation for this patent change, since both the 38 M&P and the Model 1903 both were given a change designation with that improvement. If you check Jim Supica's new book, there is now a reference to the 38 Perfected, 1st Change and if you are interested in the model, take a look at this Commentary. http://smith-wessonforum.com/blog.php?b=109

Attached Images

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	P1010005.jpg (112.7 KB, 106 views)

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Gary
SWCA 2515

I just looked at a photo in the SCSW 2nd edition and the thumb piece looks like a normal thumb piece. I must have been thinking of something else.

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James Redfield
LM #497

I haven't seen a Perfected Model for a very long time. I'd make a run at any one that I came across if it didn't have a ridiculous price.

Welcome from Pennsylvania!
I would give a try at picking that one up as well. Good luck, and keep us posted!

WOOOHOOO I GOT IT for $125!!! There's a small chip on the bottom of one grip and the latch pieces that are missing, but I think it'll be a shooter. I've located the latch parts already for about $20 plus shipping. And, since they're used parts, they shouldn't look out of place. Happy camper! Now I just gotta clean it to get the dust bunnies off and out of it.

Later!

Simi

ps. - Oh yeah...parts ordered!

Mine $350 20 years ago --

Wow you did very well at $125 . I would buy them all day long at that price in similar condition. While they are not uncommon with approximately 60000 being made many are believed to have been shipped overseas, and they just don't show up that often.

I take it did not come with wood grips?? The one I bought has wood

No sir...those are the grips it came with.

Later!

Simi

***UPDATE***

So...I ordered the two missing parts and as usual, Numrich came through with both parts in a very timely manner. However, the parts I received were nickel instead of blue.

I contacted Numrich and the young lady I spoke with was very helpful, sent me a return shipping label, and the parts were off to New York the same day to be swapped. Great folks to deal with in case you've never shopped Numrich.

After a week, I checked the tracking number and they were out for delivery. The status remained "Out for Delivery" for several days. I called Numrich back and the young lady I spoke with this time said they had no record of receiving the package. Hmmmm. I was advised to contact the post office customer service line.

I did. A TWO HOUR hold time to have my phone call answered to get any information. RIDICULOUS!!! I say this tongue in cheek because my dad spent 37 years with USPS and I grew up healthy on it's money. And a portion of the message said that the only information the customer service people could give me was what was available on the tracking site. Two hours to get told what I already knew; these dingos lost my package between the post office building and the destination. How does that happen!?!? I hung up.

I decided my sanity was not worth the time and inconvenience of being on hold for two hours. I called Numrich back and spoke with a gentleman, told him the situation, and just reordered the parts; making sure he knew I needed blue this time. An extra $30 bucks spent, but I'm still in the revolver for less than $200. Hopefully, the parts will arrive today, as they are out for delivery AGAIN, and I can get them installed this evening. Wish me luck!

Later!

Simi

My neighbors and I are re-delivering mail frequently. The other day a lady two streets over brought me some pills that had been delivered to her mailbox. We have different street names but same house number.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

I have the same thing happening to me.
Three days ago it was prescriptions for the guy on the next street from the VA.

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

USPS is at an all time low. We have not had a consistent mail route person in over a year (That was along way to say mailman but I am not sure that you can say mailman anymore? Not PC? :-) )

Long story short, at least I have been able to get to know neighbors fairly well that I would never meet otherwise. It is as if we have a neighborhood Mail call some days.

While mildly inconvenient, I've kinda gotten used to the neighborhood mail shuffle; mis-delivery seems to happen a lot around our hood too. I normally get packages sent to my office and so far have had much better result at getting them than most of my neighbors who have stuff sent to their house. It's just irritating when it's easier to re-order something and pay for it again than it is to try to figure out what happened to the original item. And the idea that they could lose a package that is "Out for Delivery" is beyond my understanding. The current status is again, "Out for Delivery." So this afternoon between 4 & 5 we'll see if it gets delivered.

Later!

Simi

If it doesn't arrive, it is probably with the first one that was misdelivered.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Well, they arrived and are now installed. And as you can see from the pix, they are NICKEL PARTS AGAIN!!!! UGH!!! I'm guessing I'm just going to keep them this time. I don't think I want to go through the headache and risk of trying this all a second time. Any suggestions?

Later!

Simi

Perfected.jpg

Perfected latch.jpg

Are you sure they are plated? They look in the white to me. If you've got some cold blue, you might try it on them.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

I'm pretty sure they're plated; ****** lighting. Without the flashlight shining on them they are shiny. In fact, if I had a nickel weapon and needed these parts, there wouldn't be too much to do to clean them up.

Later!

Simi