38 S&W Top Break Identification

[Brynx]

Hello all. Looking for some information on a top break 38 S&W. Serial number is 114XXX. As far as I can tell it's been refinished. See attached images.

Hoping to learn when it was manufactured, as well as the model. Any other information would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Benson

 

[mmaher94087]

That's a .38 Double Action, second model. Serial number 31 to some large number around 220,000. And, yes, it appears to be refinished.

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. Collecting vintage S&Ws can be challenging when it comes to determining a refinish, but with yours, it looks to be sandblasted and refinished. S&W had one of the best bluing processes of any handgun manufacturer, with flawless polishing and Carbonia bluing for it first almost 100 years of operation. This process resulted in glossy finish that could not be equaled. Almost without exception, S&W provides a high gloss bluing with perfect stampings for all their pre-WWII commercial revolvers. Your revolver likely shipped somewhere around 1884-1885.