Saw this 38 double action second model revolver with a factory lanyard ring. How common are these? I have seen the single action 38's with with factory lanyards, but don't think I have seen a double action 38.

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	DA with Lanyard Ring E - 7 12 11.jpg (54.6 KB, 58 views)
	DA with Lanyard Ring Butt E - 7 12 22.jpg (37.8 KB, 63 views)

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Mark

The ring looks more like a Colt product/design
The S&W rings were smaller and different shape
It looks good

Since the serial number is smaller than normal and stamped across the butt, it is obvious that the revolver was ordered with a lanyard ring. The design of this ring suggests that it may have been replaced. That style ring is found on the M1917's and Victory models and others. Does the ring spin in the butt or is the base threaded and stationery? If stationery, then I venture that the original ring (not the stud) was changed out. I have seen revolvers where the rings have been removed leaving the stud in the frame. As above, neat revolver. It might be worth lettering.

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Mike Maher #283

The ones I have seen and confirmed factory installed for small frame single and double actions look like the photo.

What is odd to me is that yours does not have a rotating ring like the ones I’ve seen. Yours is a fixed type so it won’t spin in circles and leave a wear pattern on the frame like seen in the photo.

Since it doesn’t have a wear pattern above the serial number as seen in my posted photo, or a round base that spins? Who knows? It might be original.

BTW, are there any grind marks on the backstrap or what looks like sanding, polishing, suggesting a marking was removed?


The reason that I'm asking is that there was a small number of the top break revolvers that went to law enforcement. Some were part of mounted units (Horseback Police) Which would justify a lanyard so if the gun bounced out of the holster it wouldn't make it to the ground. "Not a good thing" when in pursuit of an armed suspect.

Murph

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19B12F76-8305-482C-8496-03E040FE177F.jpg (32.1 KB, 46 views)

Here is a lettered 5th model Safety Hammerless with a factory installed lanyard ring.

Books

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	5th ND lanyard ring.jpg (91.8 KB, 27 views)
	5th ND lanyard ring 3.jpg (91.6 KB, 40 views)

You guys bring up some good points. It looks like the gun originally had a lanyard ring with the way the serial number is stamped. All rings from the 1800's that I have seen are the D style as shown in the pictures posted here. Maybe the ring was changed out at some point to the strap style.

Books - Was your safety hammerless part of a larger shipment or was it for a single unit?

BMur - there are no marks on the backstrap

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Mark

Mine was part of a single gun shipment to Folsom Hardware and Arms, New York in 1911.

The lanyard ring goes through the middle of the SN on the butt. The SN was restamped on the left side of the frame under the grip panel. Which indicates that the factory installed it on a pistol from stock to fill a special order.

Books

The S&W factory production log for this .38DA says " Swivel" so the gun, made on Dec 9, 1881, left S&W with a factory installed swivel.. The ring style shown in the photo is not the style used in 1881, so somewhere along the line, the swivel ring must have been replaced with the 20th century style, is my guess. Ed

Thanks Ed, you are a wealth of knowledge.

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Mark