ive got one maybe somebody can shed some light on. i just bought a 1st model 38cal. safety hammerless. im no expert but i say its a first model because it has the z-bar latch on top. now according to my research they only made approx 5000 of these with the serial numbers ending at 5250. my question is mine has a serial number of 5287. this is clearly stamped at least 3 places on the gun, the bottom of the grip the back of the cylinder ond bottomof the top strap right at the very back. just curious about this and as i say, im noexpert but just hoping someone out there in s-w land can help explain this. thanls for any info,larry d.
1st model 38 safety hammerless
- Thread starter L.D.
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cflier
Member
Hello Larry,
Welcome to the forum. Your gun is a 1st model 38 if it has the Z bar latch. The cut off numbers are not set in stone. Sometimes they started numbering the next model while still making the last of the previous model. I have a third model 38 Safety that numbers in the 2nd model range. It was a special order for the government and they wanted to get started on it before they had used up all of the 2nd model parts. I know that they also made some 3rd model 6 inch guns for the public market at the same time. The company tried never to waste anything, and if they had enough parts to make a gun they would put it together and include it into the numbering sequence at that point. I believe that your 1st model is the latest serial numbered 1st I've heard of.
Mark
Welcome to the forum. Your gun is a 1st model 38 if it has the Z bar latch. The cut off numbers are not set in stone. Sometimes they started numbering the next model while still making the last of the previous model. I have a third model 38 Safety that numbers in the 2nd model range. It was a special order for the government and they wanted to get started on it before they had used up all of the 2nd model parts. I know that they also made some 3rd model 6 inch guns for the public market at the same time. The company tried never to waste anything, and if they had enough parts to make a gun they would put it together and include it into the numbering sequence at that point. I believe that your 1st model is the latest serial numbered 1st I've heard of.
Mark
DWalt
Member
Anything can happen to move out parts inventory. I have a Remington Model 81 rifle that has a serial number about 400 beyond the "Official" highest serial number manufactured prior to stopping production in 1950. I'm guessing that there were a number of un-numbered receivers left in inventory that were numbered, assembled, and shipped out as rifles in dribs and drabs after the official end of production.
thanks guys thats kind of what i was thinking too. you know how it is when you buy an old gun,you want to think youve got something unique,so this time i will think that i do.just thought id share that. if mr. jinks ever reads this, maybe he will agree.
