Pearl handled revolver

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gacollector

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I'd like to know more about a gun I have that belonged to my great grandfather. It's a Smith & Wesson .38, pearl grips, nickel plated revolver. I don't know the model number. The serial number, located on the bottom of the grips, is 239xx. It has the following along the top of the barrel between the sights: "Pat'd Aug 4 86 Dec 22 86 Oct 8 07 Feb 8 06 Sept 24 00". The nickel plating is badly worn, but the pearl handles are beautiful. If anyone knows anything at all about this gun, I'd really appreciate hearing from you.
 
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I'd like to know more about a gun I have that belonged to my great grandfather. It's a Smith & Wesson .38, pearl grips, nickel plated revolver. I don't know the model number. The serial number, located on the bottom of the grips, is 239xx. It has the following along the top of the barrel between the sights: "Pat'd Aug 4 86 Dec 22 86 Oct 8 07 Feb 8 06 Sept 24 00". The nickel plating is badly worn, but the pearl handles are beautiful. If anyone knows anything at all about this gun, I'd really appreciate hearing from you.
 
It is not typical for the patent dates to be listed out of sequence. Check that and show them exactly as listed. Also list all barrel and sideplate markings and Thuer is correct...a pic would help.
 
I was able to get a better look at the patent engraving, which is fairly worn. The last three dates appear to be 07, 06, and what I thought was 00 could be either 08 or 09, but in that order. I compared the out-of-sequence 06 to other number 8's engraved on this line, and it still appears to be 06, not 08, but this is the absolute best I can determine from this worn engraving. I know the patent dates being out of order is not usual,so I will take it to someone local with better magnification equipment and get another opinion. As for a posting a photo, I'm new to this site and don't know how to post photos here. I'll be glad to do that if someone can guide me a bit. Thanks for the help on this.
 
I think I know what you have but the dates are still off. Could this be the sequence?

Aug 4 96-Dec 22 96-Oct 8 01-Feb 6 06-Sept 14 09.

Keep working on that pic.

Oh , and welcome to the forum.
 
It's possible. As I said, this is pretty worn and difficult to see. I've loaded a photo onto Photobucket per VM's instructions. (Thanks,VM)I hope I did it right and you can all see the image.

SmithWessonPearl.jpg
[/IMG]
 
OK! Well, it shows up pretty good, at least!Pretty rough condition and there's still the thing about the patent numbers, but can anybody tell me more about this revolver? Thank you to everybody who's helped me get the photo on and figuring out what I have here.
 
Hi ga.......

It is what I thought, a 38 Double Action Perfected model. Note the 2 release actions...top strap & and the thumb release.

The patent dates I listed above are correct for this model. Caliber is 38 S&W NOT 38 special. Manufactured between 1909 and 1920 serial numbered 1-59,400 with yours a little more than halfway thru the range.
 
Thank you! I'm glad to know when it was manufactured; the dates put it right in the time my great grandfather would have had it, and it possibly could even have been his father's, who died in 1930. His father was a court baliff for over thirty years and my great grandfather was a police officer for that long or longer. No telling where this gun came from, but I wish it could talk! Do you know anything of the value for it or where I might find that? It's obviously in pretty rough shape. I'd like to know if it's worth restoring or if I should just appreciate it like it is.
 
The condition of the gun puts it at the low end of any collector interest. But since its a family heirloom, value to you borders on priceless. Only you can decide wether to restore it or not. If it were mine, I'd leave it as is because the condition is part of the history. If you like this particular model, you can always look for another in better condition. They are out there.
 
Thanks very much. I really appreciate everybody's input. I think I'm going to leave it alone and maybe have it mounted in a display case with my great-grandfather's badge and an old photo of him in uniform. Thanks again to everybody who helped me find out about the gun. You're all so knowledgeable!Much appreciated.
 
gacollector, please show us your grandfather's badge and old photo! Many of us are collectors of old police items and appreciate seeing such heirlooms. (I have all of my dad's and mine) Thanks, Waistgunner
icon_smile.gif
 
My username says it all; I collect (and seem to keep) everything! I have some of the old brass buttons from my great grandfather's police uniform, his small leather billyclub, and photos of him in uniform. He retired as a police Lieut. in the early 1940's. The badge actually belonged to his father, my great-great-grandfather. We still had my gg-grandfather's service revolver until my father sold it in the 1980's, to his later regret. I'll try and locate the photos (in one of numerous old albums that came down to me)and post new ones of the things I have. Might take a little while, but I'll start digging. Glad there are others who appreciate these things.
 
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