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 06-10-2018, 10:49 PM
neverenoughguns neverenoughguns is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Tampa Florida
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Liked 65 Times in 21 Posts
Default top break question

I had a friend approach me regarding a top break that a friend of his has for sale. It was a 38 S&W model and in maybe 75% condition. Quite a few scratches but the plastic grips looked original and complete. The revolver had a hammer w/ a firing pin attached. My question is, did these come original from the factory w/ a chrome/stainless finish or am I correct in assuming this had to have been refinished? If so, what is the approximate value?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-10-2018, 11:46 PM
rct269 rct269 is offline
SWCA Member
top break question top break question top break question top break question top break question  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Pikeville, Tennessee
Posts: 6,025
Likes: 910
Liked 9,880 Times in 3,633 Posts
Default

They came from the factory with either a blue finish (black oxide) or a nickel (plated) finish.

As to the value, that would be dependent upon myriad factors unknown to us at this point in time. If memory serves, there's information up above to give you some guidance as to the type of information required for a worthwhile response.

Ralph Tremaine
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-11-2018, 12:07 AM
merl67 merl67 is offline
SWCA Member
top break question top break question top break question top break question top break question  
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Northern Middle Tennessee
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 3,413
Liked 4,084 Times in 1,449 Posts
Default

As my fellow Tennessean has said many factors come into play when estimating a value on a firearm. We would need several good photos for that. The factory did indeed offer nickle plated ones, but it could have been done outside the factory which generally will lower the value. A dead giveaway for a nickle plating job done outside the factory is nickle plating on the extractor, hammer, trigger, or trigger guard as these parts were not plated even on nickle guns. The hammer, and trigger were casehardened and the trigger guard, and extractor were blued. I am probably leaving something out, but you get the idea. As a wild guess on value, if in good mechanical condition, and 75% I would think $125-150 would be in the ballpark.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-11-2018, 08:51 AM
glowe's Avatar
glowe glowe is offline
US Veteran

top break question top break question top break question top break question top break question  
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Michigan Western UP
Posts: 12,916
Likes: 3,028
Liked 14,263 Times in 5,435 Posts
Default

Does the revolver have a spur trigger or a trigger guard? S&W made both in 38 S&W caliber. Also, original black stocks for either of these models were actually made of hard rubber.

As stated above, more information and a few photos please.
__________________
Gary
SWCA 2515
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-11-2018, 09:22 AM
Wiregrassguy's Avatar
Wiregrassguy Wiregrassguy is offline
SWCA Member
top break question top break question top break question top break question top break question  
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: AL Wiregrass
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 34,562
Liked 10,739 Times in 3,659 Posts
Default

This is a .38 Double Action 2nd Model. Does your friend's gun look similar?


__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #6  
Old 06-14-2018, 09:53 AM
JSR III's Avatar
JSR III JSR III is offline
SWCA Member
top break question top break question top break question top break question top break question  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Massachusetts USA
Posts: 9,575
Likes: 3,695
Liked 8,924 Times in 3,545 Posts
Default

As my learned colleagues have stated, it is very difficult to place a value on a firearm with the information that you have provided. Even with photos it is sometimes difficult to determine whether a gun has been refinished or not unless some of the obvious things show up as mentioned above. There are shops out there that will take the time to disassemble the gun so that only parts that should be plated get plated. Many times unless the gun is looked at close up with a glass it is tough to tell.

These guns don't command high prices unless in mint condition. Based on what you have provided, I don't think the gun is worth more then $100.
__________________
James Redfield
LM #497
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
.32 Top Break question Housepuss S&W Antiques 4 10-14-2017 09:12 AM
S&W .32 CTG Top Break Question 326MOD10 S&W Antiques 3 07-23-2015 05:41 PM
Top Break Question Oktoc S&W Antiques 15 01-17-2013 08:41 PM
.32 Top Break Question OFT S&W Antiques 5 04-21-2008 02:16 PM

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 02:43 AM.


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