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 08-26-2018, 11:40 PM
rifleman401 rifleman401 is offline
Member
Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W  
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default Researching My Schofield 45 S&W

Hey everyone I have a .45 S&W Schofield made in 1876. I need to see if someone can help me a little on maybe identifying some marks. On the bottom of the handle it has the initials TA and under that is has 38 NC W. I have no idea what this could be. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 08-27-2018, 01:25 PM
opoefc opoefc is offline
Absent Comrade
US Veteran
SWCA Founding Member
Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Diego, CA. USA
Posts: 10,536
Likes: 3,529
Liked 6,883 Times in 2,796 Posts
Default

Welcome to the Forum. Is your Schofield a 1st or 2nd model? Are the numbers matching on all parts ? We need good clear photos of all markings, etc, including the stampings on the butt, that you cite. What is the serial number of your Schofield? From the info. you have proved, so far, it is probable that the marks you mention are either a militia mark ( State Guard ) or someone's initials. however w/o all the info. requested, it would be difficult to precisely answer your inquiry. Ed .

Last edited by opoefc; 08-27-2018 at 01:30 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-27-2018, 04:11 PM
rifleman401 rifleman401 is offline
Member
Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W  
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

The serial number is 5189, and its a second model. Right now I don't have any photos of it on line but will try and post some soon. All numbers do match.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-27-2018, 04:16 PM
bdGreen bdGreen is offline
SWCA Member
Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W  
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,505
Likes: 1,817
Liked 13,532 Times in 1,710 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by rifleman401 View Post
The serial number is 5189, and its a second model. Right now I don't have any photos of it on line but will try and post some soon. All numbers do match.
SN 5541 2nd Model Schofield shipped October, 1876.

bdGreen
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-27-2018, 04:18 PM
rifleman401 rifleman401 is offline
Member
Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W  
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Ed it is also marked US on bottom of handle. Like I said serial number is 5189.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-27-2018, 05:10 PM
opoefc opoefc is offline
Absent Comrade
US Veteran
SWCA Founding Member
Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Diego, CA. USA
Posts: 10,536
Likes: 3,529
Liked 6,883 Times in 2,796 Posts
Default

2nd model Schofields can either be military shipped guns or civilian shipped guns. The US stamp on the butt is no guarantee it is a military gun. Does it have a cartouche on the grips? Where are all the inspector/fitters stamps and what letters/numbers are they? The gun needs to be disassembled completely to see all the marks, but they are vital clues as to the nature of the gun. You should order a factory historical letter for the gun. Ed.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 08-27-2018, 05:13 PM
Shark Bait Shark Bait is offline
Member
Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W  
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 3,183
Likes: 9,014
Liked 9,908 Times in 2,006 Posts
Default

I wanna see it, cuz I doubt I will ever own one....
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 08-27-2018, 05:20 PM
rifleman401 rifleman401 is offline
Member
Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W  
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

I do have a factory letter for it and yes it has a cartouche on the grips.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 08-27-2018, 05:32 PM
Inusuit's Avatar
Inusuit Inusuit is offline
Member
Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W  
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: SE Wyoming
Posts: 2,983
Likes: 4,748
Liked 4,790 Times in 1,678 Posts
Default

So what does the factory letter say, and what is the cartouche?
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-28-2018, 01:07 AM
opoefc opoefc is offline
Absent Comrade
US Veteran
SWCA Founding Member
Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Diego, CA. USA
Posts: 10,536
Likes: 3,529
Liked 6,883 Times in 2,796 Posts
Default

Are those initials/marks on the metal part of the grip frame bottom, or on the wood of the stocks ? Or Both, if so, which are where? How are they applied? Scratched, engraved, stamped, etc. ? Have you researched the military archives for the period to see if your Schofield shows up as assigned to any Army unit's small arms inventory? Ed.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 08-28-2018, 08:30 AM
JSR III's Avatar
JSR III JSR III is offline
SWCA Member
Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W  
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.

Is it me or are some neat guns coming out of the woodwork lately? There is an adage used here on the forum that goes "without photos, it didn't happen". Similarly, when trying to get information about a specific gun, it is almost impossible to give accurate answers without well lit close up photos from all angles.

Especially those guns where there might be historical significance. Unfortunately, as these guns go up in value, the "fakers" will go to great lengths to add marks to take a plain Jane gun and make it one with historical significance to collectors or in other words increase the value.

Many of the experts here will therefore not give out specific details as to how to determine the correctness of a gun merely to keep that information out of the hands of potential "fakers" that might join here looking for tips.

So, all that said, if you can take some cell phone close ups from all angles it would help the experts greatly.
__________________
James Redfield
LM #497
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 08-30-2018, 05:13 PM
rifleman401 rifleman401 is offline
Member
Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W Researching My Schofield 45 S&W  
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Ok, the initials TA are scratched into the wood on the bottom of the handle or grip. the numbers 38 NC W are stamped into the metal of the bottom of the grip. How would I go about checking the military archives as you mentioned? If you want you can call me at 405-240-3956.

David
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Researching M&P 22 OregonRealtor New Members Introduction 13 12-19-2012 10:14 AM
Researching a 1905 russp1 S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 5 02-21-2011 11:54 AM
Old S & W's I am researching for a client Jimmy Boy S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 3 01-09-2010 07:33 PM
researching the 617 markush S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 14 08-30-2009 12:27 PM
Researching a Gun/Individual Dan M S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 6 09-27-2008 02:02 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 06:19 AM.


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