A recent purchased in excellent condition with interesting holster..Is the tag on the revolver correct? Written very lightly on the back of the holster is "Miss Lilian Curly beat the man"..Whatever that means.. It was stored in that holster for many years..Serial is 173711..What year was it made...? Thanks.... Duffy
38 s&w
- Thread starter Duffy
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The label is pretty much on target -- according to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, those were the production years for the .38 Double Action Third Model. The serial number range on this model ran from about 119000 to about 323000. By interpolation, yours probably came out about 1888 or 1889. But don't try to be too precise about this, because the company did not always ship in serial number order, and some guns with earlier serial numbers shipped after guns that were manufactured later.
Might be fun to shoot that if you get it checked out to make sure everything still functions as designed. .38 S&W loads (which are NOT .38 Special cartridges) are still available but a little expensive when you find them.
Welcome to the forum. Hope you find what you are looking for here.
Interesting holster. You might be able to find out who Lilian Curly was. There were several people with a name similar to that in the 1900 census, but only one of them spelled it exactly that way. She was a 22-year old lodging at a residence in Grafton, NH. Her profession was "stitcher."
Might be fun to shoot that if you get it checked out to make sure everything still functions as designed. .38 S&W loads (which are NOT .38 Special cartridges) are still available but a little expensive when you find them.
Welcome to the forum. Hope you find what you are looking for here.
Interesting holster. You might be able to find out who Lilian Curly was. There were several people with a name similar to that in the 1900 census, but only one of them spelled it exactly that way. She was a 22-year old lodging at a residence in Grafton, NH. Her profession was "stitcher."
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opoefc
US Veteran
38 s7w, Welcome tot the Forum. Interesting gun and holster. I would agree with Mr. Wilson that around 1889 is a good estimate on the manufacture date. The holster is a very desirable one for collectors, worth as much as the gun, maybe more. It's called a "Hip Pocket" style, as the rectangular shape is intended for holding the holster firmly upright in your pocket and giving you quick access to your gun. Is there a makers mark on some catalog numbers on the back? It appears to be lined, perhaps with chamois skin, which is probably why (if the gun was kept in the holster for years) there's any nickel left on the finish. Normally tannic acid in the leather of most holsters will destroy finishes over time, if the gun is left in the holster. Good luck on your search for Miss lillian! Ed SWCA #15
twaits
Member
Very nice gun! Welcome to the forum!
There's a guy on the Colt forum by the handle "turnerriver" who is a holster expert. He may be
here as well. I sent him a link to this thread.
There's a guy on the Colt forum by the handle "turnerriver" who is a holster expert. He may be
here as well. I sent him a link to this thread.
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