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S&W Antiques S&W Lever Action Pistols, Tip-Up Revolvers, ALL Top-Break Revolvers, and ALL Single Shots


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  #1  
Old 07-23-2009, 02:57 PM
Drakekiller Drakekiller is offline
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Default S&W DA pocket 38 ?

I came into a few hand guns and want to find information on them. I have been looking on the web and that is how I found this site. Thinking about selling them. Five of them are S&W. All are Top Breaks. I think two are Singal action second models with spur triggers. This gun is so smooth when cocked and clylinder very thight. You can feel the quality. SN on bottom of grip metal is 143xxx. I noticed the cylinder has different number 266xx. The barrels rib has S&W and a bunch of dates the last part says reissue july25 1871. Pictures are not the best.The reciever has almost 98% shiney chrome. Above cylinder it is very good also. The barrel has some darkining. Do I need FFL to sell this gun ?.
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Old 07-24-2009, 02:21 PM
opoefc opoefc is offline
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You have a S&W .38 Double Action, 3rd model, made in the 1880s-1890s ers. Over 200,000 of the third models were made, so thay are not rare. Originality & condition is the key to value. Yours has had the cylinder replaced, as it's a different serial number. The plating is nickel, not chrome, and it appears to be mostly there. Value is about $225, give or take $50, at most gun shows and auctions. It is an antique under federal gun laws and does not rquire any paperwork to transfer to an adult buyer, in most states.
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Old 07-26-2009, 05:45 PM
Drakekiller Drakekiller is offline
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Thank you.
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Old 07-31-2009, 02:10 PM
Drakekiller Drakekiller is offline
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Can you shoot this with modern ammo?
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Old 08-01-2009, 11:46 AM
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Hi Drakekiller, I'm a new guy around here also. Welcome.

If your DA 38 is in good condition and functions properly, it can be fired with modern commercial ammo.

Things to look for are solid lock up with no looseness in the latch system, and perfect function in cocking and indexing of the cylinder. As you cock the hammer in SA, there will be a safety notch position encountered first, then a full-cock position.

As you slowly cock the hammer SA, or pull the trigger DA, make sure the cylinder ALWAYS goes to the full lock-up position before the hammer falls.

Also check the tightness of the hinge screw - not too tight, not too loose. I like to keep mine where I just feel a little resistance in the hinge when it pivots.

My 38 DA is the 4th model, serial # 395923, and I shoot it quite a bit, usually with low power reloads. Word has it however that the commercial stuff is loaded to low black powder pressure levels. The factory ammo seems hotter than my reloads, but both shoot very well in my gun.

Be careful, collecting and shooting these little guys can be catching.

Jim

PS, use only Remington or Winchester factory ammo with 146 gr. bullets, not other brands usually foreign, which may be designed for Webleys 38-200 loading.
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Old 09-18-2009, 05:08 PM
markedup markedup is offline
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Just because it could be fun to shoot,
I am thinking about a 4th model 38 S&W
listed on the popular auction site.
serial #5352xx.which decade in what century
might it have been produced?

Thanks

Mark
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  #7  
Old 09-18-2009, 06:41 PM
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Mark,
S&W DA 4th Model was manufactured between 1895-1909 with a S/N Range of 322701-539000. I would trust that the S/N you gave would put the gun at 1909 the 20th Century.

Hope you get that very nice piece of history.
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Old 09-18-2009, 10:18 PM
markedup markedup is offline
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Thank you Kobsw.
That 4th model is this year's S&W
Century Limited.I can envision a businessman
carrying one on the 20th Century Limited.

Mark

Last edited by markedup; 09-18-2009 at 10:47 PM.
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Old 10-30-2011, 07:49 PM
smithjasonr smithjasonr is offline
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Default Can someone help

I recently was given what I believe to be a S&W 38 DA pocket... I am guessing though. I was told to use remmington 145gr 38 colt short ammunition.

Can someone help ID this gun (see pic attached) and tell me what ammunition I should use with it?

Thanks!!
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Old 10-30-2011, 07:52 PM
smithjasonr smithjasonr is offline
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Default another pic of 38 DA pocket.

Maybe this pic will be easier to ID from. Sorry for earlier pic.
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  #11  
Old 10-30-2011, 08:14 PM
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If it is mechanically sound, it should be fine with current factory .38 S & W loads. The .38 Short Colt is a different cartridge (smaller diameter). If you have any doubts about its safety, please have it checked by a gunsmith.
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