.38 Safety Hammerless 3rd Model 6"

[Teddydog]

Saw this in a shop and decided I needed it was a variation I wanted. Didn't yet have a 3rd Model or a 6" gun. It is blued and in pretty good shape considering its age. Bluing is turning brown in places and with patches of wear and scratches. It is also wearing a set of pearl grips--one panel with a chip out of the bottom but still solid.

I'll get some pics when the light is better here.

The SN is in the 40,000 range (I don't have it in front of me right now). Accordng to the SCOSW, the 3rd Model was made until 1898. Is this one of the models that was made more or less in order, so the SN should put it in the middle of the production time, or is SN not a predictor?

I know the 6" version is less common. Would love to find one of the super-short barrels too.

Rob

 

[leonardocarrillo]

Always good to add a lemon squeezer to the collection, we look forward to the photos.

 

[Teddydog]

Pics! Photos make it look rustier than in real life.

The 3rd Model signature latch:

Rob

 

[BMur]

Custom sights?

Very nice and scarce barrel length. I’m fixated on those sights. Very interesting. How is the rear sight mounted? Pressed or small screw under the topstrap? That was definitely professionally installed!

*** The more I look at that rear sight the more it looks factory installed.

Murph

 

[glowe]

Standard sights for the 2nd and 3rd Models. Back sight is attached to the top frame latch and the other sight is on the top of the posts on the frame.

 

[mojave30cal]

The side plate screws don't looked buggered. That's good. How
is the bore?

 

[Teddydog]

Yeah, the screws look good. The bore and chambers are in great shape.

EDIT: looked again and the bore and chambers really are in great shape. The two sideplate screws do have a bit of damage, but not severe. Probably has been apart before.

Rob

 

[SS336]

That is just too cool. I really like the long barrel, I have never seen one before.
Question for the experts, how many 6” guns compared to the other barrel lengths?
Kind of takes it out of the pocket pistol category.

 

[glowe]

They are unusual to see and hard to find one for sale. I owned one for awhile and recall using the SWCA database to determine production by barrel length. Overall, 10% of 38 Safeties made were 6".

Below are the 5 standard barrel lengths.