What I have is a top-break in what I believe is a 38 S&W. I do not see a caliber anywhere on the gun. The serial numbers all match (3 places - bottom of the frame, the rear sight and the cylinder). The number is 249XXX. It is/was nickel plated, but a portion has rusted off. There is a lot of patent stamping on the top of the barrel, but it in't all easy to read since some has worn off. The barrel length is 3-1/4 inches. The hammer is visible and I do not see any markings on or around it. There are fixed sights and it has a strain screw. There are screws at the pivot under the cylinder, pivot for the hammer, the rear sight / top break securing position and one on the strain screw.

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Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass USA Pat'd Jan 24 65
July 11 65 Aug 24 69? ?????? July 25 71 May 11 80 Jan 5 82

Welcome! This is a .38 Double Action from the early 1890 decade. Finish loss on guns of this era is common, from black powder, use and age. The faint barrel rollmark 'suggests' it may have been refinished. Hope this is helpful.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Welcome to the Forum. As Alan states, you have a 38 Double Action, 3rd Model that would have shipped around 1889-1890. It is in pretty average condition, but may be fine to shoot standard 38 S&W ammo if function and mechanical condition warrants.

The 38 DAs are tough to ID. The 3rd Model was supposed to run to 322,XXX but there was a large overlap of models versus serial numbers. Yours, however, is most likely a 3rd Model.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

I just wanted to say thank you to the both of you for helping me identify the gun. I am really excited about i and it looks like it's in good enough condition to try shooting it.

Do you have any recommendations on what should or should not be used to clean the gun? It definitely needs a bore brush run through the barrel.

If you have the solvents you can soak it for a couple of days, minus the grips. Any penetrating oil will work. Or get a can of brake cleaner and spray the insides with it. Then use any gun oil and spray the same internals.
Personally I completely disassemble every gun and clean and polish every part, but that's me.
For the exterior I use a product called Flitz. It will clean and polish the nickel. But don't get carried away and don't use a dremel! Use standard gun cleaning products for the insides of the barrel and cylinder.

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Tom
NRA Pistol Inst