We have a S&W 38 pistol from 1880. We would like to know how to find the value of this. Thank you for any help.

need a little more information such as single or double action, serial number, hammerless and a picture will be helpful. Also, you might invest in the standard catalog of Smith and Wesson if you are into collecting S&W.

Nick

I think it is a double action. I think this is the serial #41070 (3 or 5)


Thank you

What lets you date it to 1880? Are you interpreting a patent stamp to mean it could be no earlier? A serial number in the 400000 range should put its manufacture much later than that, regardless of which serial number range it belongs to.

Condition is everything in valuing older guns, so it would really help if you could post a photo. If that's not possible, a complete description of all stampings on the gun and where they are found would help. Also, does it have an external hammer that can be manually cocked? And is it a top break model in which the barrel and cylinder swing down to eject and reload? Or is it a swing-out model in which the barrel is fixed to the frame, and the cylinder swings to the side to eject and load?

We can answer your questions, but just need a little more info to start with.

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David Wilson

I tried to post pictures but it didn't work below are the links to the photos. The story is the gun was giving to the lady by the sheriff we don't know if it was his or something he had taken from someone. We were told it was from the 1880's.
The number is from the bottom of the gun, is that the serial #?
Let me know if you can't get the pictures I put them public.


Picasa Web Albums - drdolittle44 - gun
Picasa Web Albums - drdolittle44 - gun

.38 Double Action 4th Model manufactured 1895-1909. Based on the serial number, probably around 1900 +/- a year. The front sight should be pinned to the barrel, but ya never know....

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Peter #2091

Check out Gunbroker #179012702 for price comparison

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Peter #2091

I am new to forums what is Gunbroker #179012702

Gunbroker is a large on-line firearms sales and auction operation, kind of like Ebay for guns: Guns - Online Gun Auction - Guns at GunBroker.com

Just copy and paste the item number Dosgatos gave you into the search box there, and the specific item he is talking about will come up.

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David Wilson