38 Double Action First Model Research

[Boulder350]

I'm conducting research on the 38 Double Action First Model. The books have all said that around serial number 4000 Smith and Wesson transitioned between the first and second model. The main difference is the first model had the straight side plate and the second model had the curved side plate.

I own serial number 3751 in blue and it has the curved side plate. I sent for a historical letter on the gun and the historical letters now say the first model was from serial number 1 to 3700. I just found serial number 3455 and it has a curved side plate.

Does anyone have serial numbers in the 3000 range that you could send me info on? Wondering if there was a transition from the straight side plate to the curved side plate on this model.

Thanks

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


The serial number transition from first to second model isn't known.
It is theorized to be sometime before serial number 4,000 but the
exact change hasn't been documented.

The straight side plate was found to weaken the frame and the ir-
regular side plate was implemented.

S&W did not finish revolvers in strict serial number sequence and
changes can be spread over a range of serial numbers. I don't own
a .38 DA first or second model but I have seen changes implemented
in odd ways and there are examples that will fall outside the ranges
given for a specific model. If yours has the rounded irregular side
plate, it is a second model.

Can you post a pic of your revolver?


Cheers!
Webb

 

[dltvette]

In checking my records, I used to own;
Smith & Wesson .38 Double Action 1st Model Rare Squarecut Variation .38 S&W -- 4" barrel, nickel finish with checkered black rubber grips. Built in 1880 this early production 1st Model Double Action has the very desirable and rarely seen square-cut sideplate, S/N 3328.
Dave

 

[BMur]

Overlap

Overlap In production was very common during this early firearm manufacturing period With all manufactures. Often serial numbers are duplicated as well. Records are also often confused and in error during these transitions. Letters will come back labeling your model 1 as a model 2 or viceVersa.

I have a very early 1-3 with a high serial number in the late 1-2 production range. Even with a photo attached the letter identifies it as a late 1-2 that just happens to have a 1-3 frame.

So the records aren’t gospel.

Murph

 

[BMur]

Best example?

I personally think the best example is The Baby Russian overlapping production with the 2nd model SA 38.

The Baby Russian introduced in 1876 and ended in mid-1877 with about 25,000 manufactured.

The 2nd Model SA 38 introduced in early 1877 beginning with serial number 1 means you have literally over 25,000 duplicate serial numbers between the two models being manufactured during the same year (1877).

Often generating error with research and obviously with records evaluation as well. Often mistaking a model 2 record as being a model 1 record.

Yet with all these duplicated serial numbers I personally have seen none. Not 1 of the 25,000 duplicated numbers between the Baby Russian and the 2nd model SA 38.

This also proves any overlap does produce duplicated serial numbers during transitions especially. Finding those duplicated examples is not easy.


Murph

 

[Boulder350]

It seams that many if the earlier models had transitions from one model to the next.

The transition on this model makes the 1st variation less common than we originally thought.

 

[BMur]

Engineered flaw

Right about 1880 is when several companies improved the frame strength behind the recoil shield. Oversized side plates were eliminated, redesigned and made much smaller to address a weakness in that part of the frame.
I’ve actually seen bent and cracked frames on early revolvers at that location. Some of the cracks were very likely caused by recoil and still others were obviously caused by lateral stress in my opinion from traveling in a carpet bag in a rail baggage car buried in weight and bent from the weight of baggage and traveling.
It doesn’t take much to bend these early guns.

Murph

 

[Boulder350]

This one is in rough shape. The action is a little sticky and the trigger does not return. The side plate is replaced too. I now have the first 38 blued DA second model and the first 38 nickel DA second model (at least that I know of). This one is serial number 3455.

They may have transitioned from the straight cut side plate to the curved side plate between 3455 and 4000.

Still looking for additional serial numbers on the first model and early second models.

Thanks