What can you tell me about this one? Someone emailed me about it seems it was his grandfathers and passed down. He says 38 special
I don't know the 38's as well as the 32's. He doesnt plan to sell it sentimental value but any description estimated year and value would be appreciated
This is way out of my field of knowledge, but I can tell that someone it absolutely, positively is not a .38 Special---no way, no how----never was!
If it's a .38, and may well be for all I know, it's a .38 S&W---shorter, fatter case---and if that's what it is, best guess (only because I've heard of them) it's a .38 S.A. 1st or 2nd----from the later 1800's--------maybe.
If he has a Model of 91 (.38 S.A. 3rd) laying around, I can tell him what that is---and the value of this one is a whole lot less than it would be with some finish---the more the better. That one looks like it's spent some time with a wire wheel----for shame!
Looks like a .38 Single Action, Second Model as made 1877-1891. Probably pretty early with SN 15428 out of 108255 made in that period.
Caliber is .38 Smith and Wesson. Not .38 Special, not ".38 Short". Ammunition is somewhat available but you will be warned against shooting smokeless powder in a 19th century revolver. I did, but that makes me a Bad Person, although I did not shoot enough to wear anything out.
It is a .38 Single Action 2nd Model (Model 2,2nd Issue)
Mfg.1877-1891 with 108,255 produced
Caliber .38S&W blackpowder cartridge
Offered in nickel finish with black hard rubber grips or blue with wood grips, 3-1/4" & 4" barrel standard.
Std. Catalog of S&W 4th shows Poor $100.00, Fair $200.00
Those Ivory grips are an exceptional and valuable feature. Which raises the question if they are factory original. The odds are they were installed by a Distributor by request of a customer however if they are factory original they are rare. I wonder if the OP can carefully remove them and show us a photo of the back side?
Interesting he will try to take the grips off and photo them but he said his grandfather bought it from the distributor in Columbia as that was the only legal way
These grips a very fragile and can break as there is a center pin at the bottom of the frame that can crack or break a chunk off the bottom of the grips and render them useless. I do not recommend removing the grips without knowing the proper way to remove them. Leave them alone as there is already a visible crack at the top of the left grip panel. Since "...He doesnt plan to sell it..." why take them off and risk the damage?
Unfortunately that gun was rode hard and put away wet. As Ralph said it looks like someone tried to clean it up using a wire wheel hence the shine over deep pitting.
I don't think that I would risk removing the stocks as Mike explained done incorrectly and they become a pile of junk. Collector value due to condition and the attempted cleaning is mostly gone. Chances are that the bore is dark and pitted so even if one had the correct ammo it probably won't shoot worth a damn. They weren't that great when new and this one is not new.
The best use would be as a shadowbox wall hanger after a gentle cleaning with Flitz.
I would not worry so much about the grips coming off the frame. That groudy screw all ways raises a concern. The screw seems to get rusty and binds in the brass threads of the nut and the cup on the other grip.
Or escutcheons.
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