First Model Safety Hammerless Value

[JimH.]

New guy here with some questions on value of a first model 38 caliber Safety Hammerless.

I recently acquired this gun, and it is fairly typical of these guns with about 40% nickel plating remaining, the rest brown patina with no heavy pitting. It is tight and functions properly, rifling is clean and sharp, but there is some pitting of bore, grips in good shape, no chips and sharp clean checkering.

What is different from run of the mill of this model is the extremely low serial number, in the low teens, quite probably making it of the first or second day's production. My questions are does this add measurably to the value, and would there be any value in getting it lettered?

The serial number is correct, appearing on the butt, cylinder, top strap and scratched on the inside of the left grip.

Thanks for your help and advice.

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forum from the Wiregrass, Jim! There is probably some added interest for an early SN, but condition is everything. Pictures would probably be in order for the experts to gauge the value. Don't know about a letter. With a SN that low, it could have gone to someone important, but you'll have to pay $50 for the info. There could be some info from the Historical Foundation.

[JimH.]

Thanks for your response Guy. It looks like Photobucket is cooperating tonight, so here are a couple of photos.





As you can see, it is not anything to brag about, but not a complete loss. It is as found and a judicious cleaning will help it some.

I don't have a lot invested, and an additional $50.00 would not break the bank if it were felt the documentation would add to the value of the gun. How does one go about lettering a S&W?

Thanks again for your help.

[Wiregrassguy]

There's a link here in the Notable Posts thread to the letter template.

[opoefc]

In my experience, condition always trumps a "low" ( Low being a two digit number) serial number insofar as adding any additional value to the gun. Single digit numbers often went to VIPs and those guns are worth a letter, regardless of condition, although they are often found in near mint condition. Higher numbers needed to go to distributors to fill orders and get new models in the hands of the public. Very few Safety hammerless models have any chance of lettering to someone famous enough to increase the gun's value. Ed.

[Oyeboteb]

Low teens would probably be some ways toward the end of the 2nd Month or into the 3rd Month of production.

Like a Steam Locomotive, it takes a little while to stretch it's Legs and find it's stride.

[JimH.]

Since this model was only produced for one year and 5000 were made in that period, I would suspect that daily production would be somewhat more than ten units. Granted, startup production would be slow, but I doubt it would take two to three months to pass the tenth unit.

The condition does indicate that it was sold to the general public and if a letter would only reveal that it was shipped to an Ace Hardware store in Topeka, I will probably forego that.

Thanks again for advice and opinions.