Found an old, very rusty revolver

B

BigEfromLC

Member
Joined
May 14, 2022
Messages
5
Reaction score
8
I found this extremely rusty old revolver which appears to be a Smith & Wesson of some type. The grips, which have the SW logo on them appear to be wood or bakelite.

Some friends on an ex-military mailserve said you guys might be able to identify the piece.

Thanks for any help!
 

Attachments

  • rusty gun right.jpg
    rusty gun right.jpg
    176.5 KB · Views: 502
  • rusty gun left.jpg
    rusty gun left.jpg
    135.8 KB · Views: 394
  • Rusty gun grip.jpg
    Rusty gun grip.jpg
    107.7 KB · Views: 291
Register to hide this ad
Well, you are right. It is a tad rusty and neglected. Appears to be a 38S&W top break and double action. Some shrinkage of the grips is evident.
Next step? Not a clue! What you going to do?
 
Background

It was found under the flooring of an old house. I really don't have any plans for it.

Any idea how old it might be?
 
Post 1902 Relic

"If" what I'm seeing is writing on the left side of the barrel? See photo:

Then it dates to post 1902.

I would bet there is still a serial number visible at the base of the grip between the grips on that flat area. If it's visible we can get closer to the date of production.

Murph
 

Attachments

  • 6E2F79F6-405C-4360-851A-36FD908CE880.jpg
    6E2F79F6-405C-4360-851A-36FD908CE880.jpg
    42.2 KB · Views: 206
I agree with cleaning it up as much as possible, but only if you like a challenge. I enjoy "rustoring" vintage stuff- knives, tools, cleavers, guns, etc. Just one of my hobbies. Although not a S&W, a friend of mine found a rusty old Colt 1862 Pocket Police in a rusty toolbox during an auction. He picked it up for me for $140...a little pricey but these models are relatively rare. It wasn't quite as frozen in rust as your little S&W .38, but it was pretty bad. I spent some time soaking and cleaning and replacing/fabricating a few parts, but it turned out surprisingly nice. The hammer will cock, rotate the cylinder, and fire. The only thing I couldn't free up was the ramrod which is totally frozen under the barrel.

You may or may not be able to "rustore" your .38, but it may be interesting to find out. Good luck!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3203.jpg
    IMG_3203.jpg
    81.4 KB · Views: 129
Loaded?

A number of years ago a visitor to my table at the gun show late on a Sunday afternoon brought in a Colt 1873 SAA in about the same condition as your S&W. Interesting enough it had the hammer frozen in full cock and it was loaded. Frozen in time, he wanted $350 for it and I couldn't make the down payment on a free lunch, having just bought a couple of S&Ws. He said that it was found in a Louisiana swamp. The gun was real, I don't know about the story. Is your S&W loaded?
 
Based on the size of the cylinder, I am guessing this is/was a .32 Double Action.

As noted, if you can make out the serial number on the bottom of the grip frame, we can tell you how old it is, give or take a year or two.

You could certainly immerse it in a 50:50 mixture of acetone and automotive ATF for a few weeks to dissolve some of the rust, but I think getting it to cycle/function is highly optimistic.
 
There might be some writing on it, but it certainly isn't certain. I am not going to spend any time trying to clean it up. Not something I am terribly interested in.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

poledorus
Slab-Barrel S&W 29-2
Replies
8
Views
561
poledorus
poledorus
S
OLD TOP BREAK REVOLVERS
Replies
13
Views
617
southcoat
S
Old Corp
Proper grips for an early M1905 HE? - trying to help a friend
Replies
7
Views
232
Wiregrassguy
Wiregrassguy
L
Help Identifying a Smith & Wesson Revolver with “Winchester OTO” Marking – Possible M
2 3
Replies
47
Views
5K
Tom S.
Tom S.
686PC
Question on this 1917 Modified to 3.5BBL & Hard Chromed
Replies
10
Views
379
alwslate
A

Latest posts

Back
Top