Dating a S&W .38 hammerless please help

[Koltray]

This is my first post. I joined this forum mainly for this one question. I have recently purchased a S&W .38 hammerless revolver. Looks to be in amazing shape. Nickel finish and mother of pearl grips. The serial numbers are 62575. It has a four inch barrel. Front sight is pinned in place. Can anyone please give me a estimate production date? I’ve tried researching it but didn’t get far to my embarrassment.Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[murphydog]

Welcome! Your .38 Safety Hammerless was likely produced in about 1893. There are several (more) knowledgeable members that may get you closer to a specific date, and a letter of authenticity from the S & W Historical Foundation will provide the exact date and destination when it left the factory:

http://www.swhistoricalfoundation.com/swhf_letter.pdf

Hope this is helpful.

[H Richard]

First, Welcome to the S&W Forum. That looks like a Third Model Safety Hammerless, the s/n ranged from 42484 to 116002, with 73500 of them made. Manufactured between 1890 - 1898. They were made in 3 1/4", 4", 5", and 6'. The values listed in the SCSW4 Published in 2016) were :
ANIB=1,000; Exc+=650; Exc=400; Fine=285; VG=250; Good=200; Fair=150; poor=80. From what I can see your gun would probably fall in the Fine to Exc category, (provided the mechanical functioning is all correct), except the grips are probably not factory original, Factory grips would have the S&W medallion.

[Koltray]

Okay. Thank yall so much. Just one more thing. I assume because of when this was likely made that it was intended for black powder. But i see smokeless S&W .38 short all day. Is it safe?

[leonardocarrillo]

I have a safety hammerless second model (1888) .38 S&W caliber, and in the shot Magtech ammunition which is the only one I get in my country (Argentina) for this caliber and I have no problems.
I must clarify that I do not fire it very often, the weapon is old and the ammunition is modern.
I hope my experience will serve you.

[nutsforsmiths]

Remington makes a very mild 38 S&W round that would be fine in you pistol. Fiocchi makes a few, but their FMJ round is a bit hot, so I'd stay away from that one.

[Koltray]

Thank you gentlemen. Very useful information.