.38 DA question

[04gtofan]

Hi guys...just acquired a .38 Double Action which I believe is a 4th Model. Serial number is 414xxx, gun is original blue, plastic grips, and a 6 inch barrel. Seems kind of unusual with that length barrel, however, I'm a little more familiar with the Safety Hammerless. Action appears to be nice and tight. Any ideas on the birth year of this one?

 

[first-model]

Yes, I think you're correct that this is a .38 DA.

I don't track serial numbers for this specific model, so I'm going to wager a guess of 1902, give or take.

Mike

 

[BMur]

6 inch barrel?

I'm sure there will be several who will chime in and disagree with me but the 6 inch barrel is an eye catcher for collectors on these early 38 cal top breaks. I watch them sell on various websites. An antique dealer in Florida that I'm very familiar with just sold one on auction for over $500 and it sure wasn't the finish that motivated that price!

 

[04gtofan]

.38 DA

Funny you should say that. The unusual barrel length is what caught my eye on the gun show table. Which is odd since my main interest is the 2 inch barrel guns, whether original or chopped. Either way, may be a keeper, may not. Paid $240 for it so I feel it's a win-win.

 

[glowe]

There is good reason to think that the 6" is unusual. Totaling up the 38 DAs in the SWCA database yields the following spread by barrel length:

2" - 3%
3.25" - 53%
4" - 19%
5" - 13%
6" - 9%
8" - 3%

I agree with Mike that it most likely shipped in 1901-1902 time-frame. The gun appears to have quite a bit of finish loss, but no evidence of abuse. Make sure to check the single-action mode, since these guns have a tendency to wear to the point that you can push off the hammer. Both the 32 and 38 DAs can develop this problem.

The 6" barrel is quite striking for the 38 DA and 38 Perfected, since the 3.25" is found commonly. The 6" 32 DA is uncommon to find and really shows off the barrel length with the small frame behind it. I always think to be extra careful at the range with the 32 DA, since I am afraid the barrel might bend. For comparison, here is an image of 6" 38 & 32 top-breaks. My 1917 38 Perfected, 38 DA, and 32 DA

 

[first-model]

I love the 6" barrel top breaks. I had one and sold it, and I rather regret it now.

And Gary's right that they're a hoot to shoot. Any time I shoot .32 S&W I'm reminded that it doesn't take a large calibre round to have fun at the range.

Mike

 

[04gtofan]

.38 DA

Thank you everyone for excellent info and opinions. Agreed, the finish is rough but no real rust exists. Single and double action work perfect, cylinder aligns and locks up tight, and the top latch snaps right into place. The bore is a little dirty but nothing a brass brush and some cleaner won't improve. All in all, I would not hesitate to take this out and put a cylinder full down range. Still a huge fan of 2 inch .38's, but may hold on to this for awhile until I find another shorty.

 

[first-model]

Just a little tip for you ... with the top break guns, you can hold the latch up and unscrew the cylinder from the quill ... but when you do that, make sure you're holding the latch up firmly so the catch doesn't scratch the surface of the cylinder. Sometimes you'll see top break guns with strange screw-thread-like scratches on the surface of the cylinder, and that's what caused them.

That said, go get some light loads and enjoy it.

Mike

 

[Dosgatos]

Long barrels are cool...

 

[04gtofan]

Mike....duly noted. Thanks for the pointer and I think I will (shoot it that is).