Help me identify this little gun

[mmaher94087]

From the pictures; I believe it to have been re-nickeled and the barrel shortened. It is a Fifth Model, .38 caliber New Departure which, with the original barrel length, would have had the front sight forged as part of the barrel. However, in fifty years of collecting Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless revolvers, I have yet to see a "forged" front sight on an original 2" barrel. I have only encountered 'pinned' front sights and I'm under the impression that S&W pulled longer barrels off the production line (or from stock) and shortened them for the 2" and shorter barrels. Can anyone post a photo of a 2" or shorter FORGED front sight? I'm skeptical but willing to learn. As the OP stated: " - seems like something was welded/soldered...". Mike #283

 

[Masterpiece]

However, in fifty years of collecting Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless revolvers, I have yet to see a "forged" front sight on an original 2" barrel.

Mike,

Thought that myself for many years...& at one time...I would have been in complete agreement with you until I ended up with a 2" Forged Sight 5th Model some years back that "Did" Letter & is the reason why I made mention to the OP that I believed his to be correct...Although as we all know only a Letter would prove that to be fact!!

I'm sorry to say I don't have any photos to post given both of the 5th Model 2" Safety's I've owned...(1 Pinned Sight & 1 Forged Sight)...I believe ended up in Bill Maier's Collection when I sold off my Safety's & Small-Frame Top-Breaks yrs ago so I have no idea where they may be now!!

Also...just to make note...the S&W and Caliber Rollmarks on the Barrels (Pinned vs Forged) were opposite each other...if I'm stating it correctly...meaning the Forged Sight Barrel had S&W on the Left Side (Like the OP's) & the Pinned Sight Barrel had it on the Right Side!! Don't know if that means anything, but thought I'd make mention of it!! And by the way...both of them were Late Production 5th Models having "Made In USA" stamped Frames!!