S&W 38 caliber,top break questions(new guy)

coloradosmithfan · #1 12-01-2010, 09:28 AM

My buddies trying to sell his revolver and I volunteered to research it,mostly to keep it out of the pawnshop.They do have a style and functionality all their own.
What I'm thinking he has is a model one or two,38 caliber,5 round,top break revolver.The last patent date is 1880.Assembly mark of a boxed "x" appears after that.Serial number of 1118xx is repeated on the cylinder and the buttplate.Black "S&W" grips .
Rifling actually looks pretty good .Springfield,Mass.U.S.A. on top of barrel.It currently has the half cock problem of another members post.Hopefully the hoppes will straighten that out.Anyone know a reasonable market value for this? I definately appreciate the help and the forum.Kickin myself for selling my 4506 1st generation though.

opoefc · #2 12-01-2010, 02:51 PM

It is a .38 Double Action, second model, made right at the end of production for this model, circa 1884. A good interior cleaning often helps the action of these older revolvers, as the years of dried grease, dirt & other critters that reside therein, can be eliminated. The gun appears to have little or no finish remaining, and may have been refinish at least once in it's past, therfore it has no collector value, but could be a shooter for Cowboy Action matches, if the action cleans up OK. Otherwise, you are looking at replacing hard to find parts at a cost that exceeds the gun's value, which is about $175 - $225 currently. Ed.