Identification of S and W revolver

Keithze1 · #1 05-23-2018, 03:36 PM

Please help me identify the revolver pictured below. It is a top break double action.2880F763-1099-4288-875E-1CF02D278BFE.jpg

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A18A979A-2894-44C0-AF8E-EEC707622EBC.jpg

murphydog · #2 05-23-2018, 03:56 PM

It is a .38 Double Action. If you can post the serial number from the flat bottom of the grip frame we can probably get you a production year estimate.

glowe · #3 05-23-2018, 04:42 PM

Welcome to the Forum. I see serial number 592,146, which would actually be way past the end date for the production of the 38 Double Action. It could also be a 502146??

The 38 Double Action, 4th Model ran from 322,701 to 539,000, while the 38 Double Action, 5th Model ran from 539,001 to 554,077. Depending on what the second number is, you have one or the other. The 4th Model was manufactured from 1895 to 1909 and the 5th Model dates from 1909 to 1911.

There are recorded examples of the 5th Model that ran past the documented production numbers, so it is possible your gun could be a very late 38 DA, but more likely the second number is not a "9". The 4th Model has a pinned front sight, while the 5th Model had a front sight that was forged with the barrel, but I cannot see whether it has a pin or not in your pictures.

model3sw · #4 05-23-2018, 05:22 PM

Gary, when enlarged and rotated, upright, appears to be 392146. Sal

gmborkovic · #5 05-23-2018, 05:54 PM

Man, your eyes are better than mine.

glowe · #6 05-23-2018, 06:39 PM

Could very well be a "3", and that would make it a 4th Model that would have shipped around 1900. Proper identification of the serial number is somewhat important on the gun, since anything made before serial number 382,022 would be classified as an antique.

I just obtained a K22 Outdoorsman and asked for a ship date, but had to admit to Roy that I could not be sure if I was looking at a "9" or a "0" in the serial number. Hope only one of the possibilities turn out to be a K22. I bought the gun that the gun shop swore the serial number was correct, even though it was the assembly number, so I now have to read the number on the gun. Even the other stampings are in question, so the factory did not always carefully apply the numbers.

Keithze1 · #7 05-23-2018, 06:46 PM

SN# 392146

model3sw · #8 05-23-2018, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glowe

Could very well be a "3", and that would make it a 4th Model that would have shipped around 1900. Proper identification of the serial number is somewhat important on the gun, since anything made before serial number 382,022 would be classified as an antique.

I just obtained a K22 Outdoorsman and asked for a ship date, but had to admit to Roy that I could not be sure if I was looking at a "9" or a "0" in the serial number. Hope only one of the possibilities turn out to be a K22. I bought the gun that the gun shop swore the serial number was correct, even though it was the assembly number, so I now have to read the number on the gun. Even the other stampings are in question, so the factory did not always carefully apply the numbers.

Gary, in this type of older, ornate style, number stamping the 6 and the 9 were not the same die rotated 180 degrees as in newer number stamp sets (e.g. from about the 1940s and newer) while I don't think S&W did this (use one die for both the 6 and the 9).

The bottom loop of the 9 is very tight while a 6 is not near as tight and completely different. Each of these old number stamps are unique. The 9's often get confused for a 0 unless clean and viewed under magnification. I've done the same myself. One of my 8" NM3 Target Revolvers was sold to me from an auction house years ago with the one of the SNs a " 9 ", posted and listed on receipt at a " 0 ".

Some times, usually on smaller frame guns where the digits are the same type but a smaller size, the 5s and 3s ... at a glance ... can be easily confused, too. Also, sometimes the 2s and the 7s.

As if that weren't difficult enough, as the number stamps wear and / or some serial numbers were originally stamped deeper than others ... add to that 100+ years and that, some minute rust or dirt build in the recess of the numbers and you've got a chore to properly verify the correct serial number. Fortunately, the serial number stamped in at least 3 different places in different sized ( and sometimes different style) numbers stamps, we can usually ascertain and verify the correct serial number by comparing serial numbers on the components.

I have a 40x magnifier I use for these older serial numbers, which is usually the deciding factor over a 10x lupe.

glowe · #9 05-24-2018, 09:36 AM

Thanks Sal. I have a 3 lens loop and use it regularly, I also have a Bausch & Lomb 10X magnifying flashlight, but the "0" or "9" is stamped too deep so looks like a canyon under high magnification.

Sorry for the diversion from the Kieth's request but unfortunately, your 38 DA, 4th Model revolver missed the antique cut-off by 10,000 guns. Most likely shipped in 1899 or 1900.