What is this?

s2harry · #1 10-29-2020, 02:37 AM

I think its a 5 shot .38 there are no marks on it except patent dates and Smith and Wesson serial number is 163253. Thanks Harry
If you like the sheets pls comment the wife will appreciate it...

Mark8 · #2 10-29-2020, 04:58 AM

~~Model 3~~ (thank you Gary, Mike, Ed), .38 Double-Action 3rd Model, .38 S&W, 1887-88 (guess based on serial number), 6" barrel

Note: I am not an expert and could be wrong. Sheets are very nice.

glowe · #3 10-29-2020, 09:35 AM

It is not a Model 3, but rather just a 38 Double Action, 3rd Model, but the ship date estimate is about as accurate as one can guess without a factory letter.

first-model · #4 10-29-2020, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glowe

It is not a Model 3, but rather just a 38 Double Action, 3rd Model, but the ship date estimate is about as accurate as one can guess without a factory letter.

I agree with Gary.

This gun also appears to have been refinished, or at least heavily cleaned at some point. The grips also don't line up properly; I'm wondering if the grip dowel is missing, or if the grips are really munched up underneath. In any event, it has seen better days.

Mike

jjfitch · #5 10-29-2020, 09:55 AM

A friend found a similar piece in the attic of a house he was working on. It had a 3 inch barrel and was in a S&W Bakelite felt lined box. When he had it appraised the box was appraised at three times the appraisal of the gun.

Apparently being left in that attic for some 70-80 years saved the box since most have since cracked, chipped or dissolved due to handling!

The owner gave him the gun as partial payment for the work he was doing.

On another job a widow gave him a 41 Buick but that's another story!

Smiles,

JSR III · #6 10-29-2020, 10:40 AM

Quote:

I think its a 5 shot

If you open the gun you should be able to count the charge holes. I agree that the stocks appear to be undersized as the frame is showing. Normally these stocks cover the metal completely. It is possible that they shrank but more likely that they are later replacements from another gun. Value based on the stocks and the condition is fairly low. Perhaps a $100-$200 gun. The antique market is very soft and getting softer. The younger crowd likes black plastic guns that go bang about 15 times. Not really interested in 100 year old 5 shots.

gwpercle · #7 10-29-2020, 12:44 PM

Thanks for posting the photo's of the very nice sheets , I enjoyed seeing them and will show them to my wife .

The 38 S&W DA was blocking my view of the sheets .
The longer barreled models aren't seen as often , mine is 5 inch .
Is your's a 6 inch bbl. ? Nice score !
Gary

opoefc · #8 10-29-2020, 02:38 PM

S&W .38 DA, 3rd model ,ser. # 163250, was made Oct. 20, 1886. Ed.

J. R. WEEMS · #9 10-30-2020, 08:53 PM

Just a side note here from a hands on experience-- These type of stocks, and many others can and DO shrink. Removed the stocks from a 60's 38 super once time. When I sold the gun some 40 years later, the factory stocks did not fit.

They DID shrink and further research at the time showed that was a fairly common occurrence. There was a method to restore them than involved using a oven but I never pursued it.

Now those stocks, I wouldnt want to say.

it was noted that the other stocks had to be reinstalled while they were still fairly warm. I just wasnt that brave. JMHO

s2harry · #10 11-03-2020, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSR III

If you open the gun you should be able to count the charge holes. I agree that the stocks appear to be undersized as the frame is showing. Normally these stocks cover the metal completely. It is possible that they shrank but more likely that they are later replacements from another gun. Value based on the stocks and the condition is fairly low. Perhaps a $100-$200 gun. The antique market is very soft and getting softer. The younger crowd likes black plastic guns that go bang about 15 times. Not really interested in 100 year old 5 shots.

haha I know its a 5 shot I was wondering about the Caliber I have not stuck a ball gauge or calipers in it. i was thinking the stocks are Iver Johnson or something. I took them off was some scratching on the back cant make it out Ill take a picture.

s2harry · #11 11-03-2020, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opoefc

S&W .38 DA, 3rd model ,ser. # 163250, was made Oct. 20, 1886. Ed.

Wow cool my dad was born April 4 1897.

s2harry · #12 11-03-2020, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwpercle

Thanks for posting the photo's of the very nice sheets , I enjoyed seeing them and will show them to my wife .

The 38 S&W DA was blocking my view of the sheets .
The longer barreled models aren't seen as often , mine is 5 inch .
Is your's a 6 inch bbl. ? Nice score !
Gary

Yeah I dont have an exotic gun pad to take a pictures on. Most of my fiddling is in front of the TV or on the bed. So you got the sheets this time. uh oh I think its a 5 inch got to measure it when I get home.

s2harry · #13 11-03-2020, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by first-model

I agree with Gary.

This gun also appears to have been refinished, or at least heavily cleaned at some point. The grips also don't line up properly; I'm wondering if the grip dowel is missing, or if the grips are really munched up underneath. In any event, it has seen better days.

Mike

yeah I think the grips are old Iver Johnson, Ill have to loook at it again to see if its been scraped wire wheeled or polished somehow.