At the gunshow yesterday, one seller had several old .38 top break revolvers and a sign that read, "$75 each out the door." I looked them over and quickly picked up the one Smith and Wesson. It is a .38 Double Action 2nd Model. The nickel finish in only 50% or less and the black rubber stocks are very worn, but not cracked. Bore looks pretty good without major pitting, but I haven't cleaned it yet to fully examine it. Lockup, indexing and timing seem to be very good. Barrel is 3 1/4" I think, but haven't measured it yet (looks shorter than 4"). The SN is 43,330 so it was probably made around 1881/2.
I already had a very nice nickel .38 Safety Hammerless, so I was happy to add this to my collection, especially for $75. I would also like to find a .32 model. The seller said that next show he'll have a larger batch of top breaks, mostly in lesser condition and for less money. He's not sure if there will by any .32s or S&Ws, though.
(As an aside, but still about Antiques, I have also arranged to buy from him a percussion Cape Gun! 12 ga double barrel gun with one smoothbore and one rifled barrel. Probably made in the 1850-1870 range, but no makers marks on it. The seller runs a police supply shop in town and is an avid hunter with quite a few African big game safari's to his credit, including kills of the Big 3.)
Rob
Picked up a 38 Double Action 2nd Model **Pics Added**
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