Newbie, S&W Revolver.

Raqqs · #1 10-22-2017, 09:36 PM

Hey! If someone could help me with this I'd be grateful. Most of the google searches doesn't come up with anything conclusive. At my Great x2 Uncles house today we found a S&W Revolver. On the barrel it states "Smith and Wesson Springfield Mass. U.S.A PAT'D Jan 24 65." Then has a bunch of dates underneath it, "July 11 65, Aug 24 69, RFISSUE July 25 71, May 11 80, Jan 5 82." Serial Number 201853. I hope I'm posting in the right thread, the inconclusive google searches were saying it was around late 1800's. Its not in good shape but here she is.
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Apparently I'm new to adding images too. That's an imgur of it.

Targets Guy · #2 10-22-2017, 09:50 PM

I'm not very good with top breaks so don't bet the farm on this guess.

You could have a .38 Double Action 3rd Model. Made from 1884 - 1895 and the s/n ran from 119001 to 322700.

Some expert should be along soon to nail it down for you.

Welcome to the forum.

Wiregrassguy · #3 10-23-2017, 08:47 AM

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! I'm no expert, but Mike has pretty much nailed the ID. The .38 Double Action top breaks were some of the most popular models made by S&W. They chamber the .38 S&W cartridge (not .38 Special) which is still available in smokeless powder and safe to shoot in a gun in good condition. You say this one is not in good condition, and it is pretty rusty, so I wouldn't shoot anything until it is pronounced safe by a gunsmith. You might want to take the grips off it and soak it for a few days in Kroil or automatic transmission fluid, then go over the gun with a copper Choreboy pad or bronze wool. You can easily remove the cylinder for cleaning by opening the top latch and tilting the barrel about 45 degrees. Then hold the top latch open and unscrew the cylinder (lefty loosey) from the center pin. Reverse to put it back. Oh, and the cartridges automatically eject when the top latch is opened and the barrel is tilted 90 degrees.

The grips on the gun are not original. They appear to be some Jay Scott faux mother-of-pearls. Originally, it probably had black hard rubber panels. Period correct grips are often available on eBay if you want to restore the look. By the way, S&W made so many of these guns, they are not very valuable even though they are antiques. Maybe $50-100 in your case. But as an heirloom, they are priceless.

ParadiseRoad · #4 10-23-2017, 08:52 AM

...a couple of the photos...

MCorps0311 · #5 10-23-2017, 10:02 AM

Is that a S&W revolver,and what year was it made ParadiseRoad?

Wiregrassguy · #6 10-23-2017, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCorps0311

Is that a S&W revolver,and what year was it made ParadiseRoad?

Yes, it is the one in the first post. All ParadiseRoad did was insert the pictures into the post so you didn't have to leave to view them.

iPac · #7 10-23-2017, 11:23 AM

Looks like it would have had some nice bluing still left if that rust didn't take hold. Kind of a shame.

Should still clean up well and be shootable if the mechanics are ok, but if there is rust on the outside then the inside becomes a question mark.

Look up ways to deep clean it.