S&W .38 New Departure red box question

digi-shots · Jun 7, 2009

Earlier this week I read a posting in this section regarding the "red box" for the .38 New Departure. It seemed like you could "date" the box depending on the particular wording printed on the inside lid ("....removal and replacing of the cylinder.....").

Unfortunately, I didn't bookmark or print out the thread. The gun was shipped from the factory in April of 1917.

Does anyone remember this thread? I've searched and can't find it.

Thanks!

Modelof1891 · Jun 7, 2009

Digi-Shots
I think you may have that information in the S&W Journal, vol.43 number 2 summer 2009 written by Mark Connot. "Boxes for the Smith & Wesson Pocket Top-Break Revolvers".
Very good information and if you are reading this Mark, THANKS!
Very nice Safety Hammerless you have there Linda!

digi-shots · Jun 7, 2009

Terry, you're right!

I knew I read it somewhere... it's in the latest Summer 2009 Journal.

The instructions on the inside of my box lid says:

To Remove the Cylinder and Ejector. - Open the arm until the piston protrudes about half way, raise the barrel catch, and turn the cylinder two turns to the left.

I'm guessing that mention of the barrel catch vs. cylinder catch makes this a 1st model box??

cflier · Jun 10, 2009

Hello digi shots,
I guess the article in the journal wasn't terrifically clear. The push the barrel catch versus cylinder catch wording in the article was the way to differentiate between the first model box and a 2nd & 3rd model box. If it says raise the barrel catch (instead of push) it is a 4th or 5th model box which is proper for the Safety Hammerless pictured.
Any of those old boxes are a prize.
best regards,
Mark

digi-shots · Jun 10, 2009

Thanks, Mark! I think is was a terrific article with lots of good information.

This top break is the only one I have and was fortunate to get the box with it. The case hardening colors on the trigger is really nice.

I bought the gun a year or so ago and was so anxious in getting it that I started to walk away and the fellow said, wait a minute, I've got the box here if you want it! He had it stashed under the table.

Thanks again..

opoefc · Jun 11, 2009

Linda, The other side of the coin is I wished I had a dollar for every time I've seen a boxed S&W New Departure model that the owner or seller claimed was was in it's original box, and then I pointed out to them that the directions printed in the lid called for a different type of barrel release than was on the gun. They sometimes still insisted the combination was correct because the serial number was written on the bottom of the box. Then I would have to tell them that was really a scare combination, 'cause that serial number was written with the world's first ball point pen 50 years before the ball point was invented! I probably ruined their whole day! Ed.

gunnut2u · Jun 23, 2009

Very nice looking pistol .

PERAZZI · Dec 13, 2009

thanks!!

digi-shots said:
Terry, you're right!

I knew I read it somewhere... it's in the latest Summer 2009 Journal.

The instructions on the inside of my box lid says:

To Remove the Cylinder and Ejector. - Open the arm until the piston protrudes about half way, raise the barrel catch, and turn the cylinder two turns to the left.

I'm guessing that mention of the barrel catch vs. cylinder catch makes this a 1st model box??

I was sitting here playing with my #2 trying to figure just this out!!..

It worked!!

Thanks....

S&W .38 New Departure red box question

digi-shots

Member

Modelof1891

digi-shots

Member

cflier

Member

digi-shots

Member

opoefc

US Veteran

gunnut2u

Member

PERAZZI

Member

Similar threads

Latest posts