.38 Secret Service Special

[Welshman]

I've got a S&W top break .38, that's marked Secret Service Special. The serial no. is 1382XX.

Does anyone know anything about this gun, or even a date?
Thanks.

 

[gmborkovic]

Are you sure it is a S&W? A few pics would help. Best

 

[Targets Guy]

Model 2 frame? Is it a five shot?

 

[Welshman]

Are you sure it is a S&W? A few pics would help. Best

Actually, now that you mention it, I'm not sure. What I was reading as Smith & Wesson is actually "For 38 Smith & Wesson ctgs." I don't see any other markings or logo's.

I'm not able to post pictures right now but will try to do so.
Thanks

 

[Welshman]

Model 2 frame? Is it a five shot?

Yes, it is a five shot.

 

[deadin]

The "Secret Service Special" was a cheap copy of a S&W made by several companies (Iver Johnson, H&R, and, I believe, Meriden.)

The barrel may be marked "for SMITH & WESSON cartridges", but it was not made by S&W.

 

[Welshman]

The "Secret Service Special" was a cheap copy of a S&W made by several companies (Iver Johnson, H&R, and, I believe, Meriden.)

The barrel may be marked "for SMITH & WESSON cartridges", but it was not made by S&W.

Thanks, deadin. I guess the tip-off for me should have been no S&W logo's. Any guess as to the time frame for this gun?

 

[deadin]

Any guess as to the time frame for this gun?

I would guess early 1900's up to the '20's. (give or take....)

These actually can be collectible, but have to be in excellent condition and aren't very expensive. $100'ish if really nice....

 

[glowe]

Most likely a Meriden made gun from the early 1900s. Iver Johnson took over production of this model around 1912 to improve the quality for a Chicago wholesaler named Fred Biffar, but never got to the numbers you indicate from your serial number. IJ made 100,000 of these before adding a letter to the serial number.

 

[Welshman]

I would guess early 1900's up to the '20's. (give or take....)

These actually can be collectible, but have to be in excellent condition and aren't very expensive. $100'ish if really nice....

Thanks again. It's a gun that I got from my dad after he passed, and is in pretty good condition. I shot it a few times years ago. I've got a "chrome" .32 top break around here somewhere - I think I'll try to dig it up. I always thought the top break guns were kind of neat.

 

[Welshman]

Most likely a Meriden made gun from the early 1900s. Iver Johnson took over production of this model around 1912 to improve the quality for a Chicago wholesaler named Fred Biffar, but never got to the numbers you indicate from your serial number. IJ made 100,000 of these before adding a letter to the serial number.

Thanks, Gary.

 

[opoefc]

If you do a search of this Forum, I posted the info. regarding the "Secret Service Special" made by Fred Biffar in Chicago a year, or so, ago. If your gun has the original hard rubber grips, the grip logo will show "SSS" emblem. Ed.

 

[JSR III]

Welcome to the forum.

The "unwritten" forum rule is that without pictures, it didn't happen. Photos help us all to learn and actually see what is being discussed. If you can't figure out how to post them, email them to someone and they can do it for you.

 

[viceunit]

I had one of those also, and it was beat up. I let my daughter stand in line with it at a "cash for guns" BS politically correct program and she got a $100.00 gift card! Many others in line with "clunkers".

 

[Cyrano]

I believe it's the Meriden Arms Co version that has little 'ears' on the front and rear of the front sight. The IJ version is their US Revolver Company (second line IJ), with different stamping. Some of the early IJs versions had a push buttons safety on the frame that blocked the hammer.

 

[Welshman]

I believe it's the Meriden Arms Co version that has little 'ears' on the front and rear of the front sight. The IJ version is their US Revolver Company (second line IJ), with different stamping. Some of the early IJs versions had a push buttons safety on the frame that blocked the hammer.

It does have the "ears" on the front site, however I found a forum (firearms.com ?) where it's claimed that the H&R Arms version has the firing pin on the hammer (as mine does), whereas the Meriden has the firing pin in the frame. I also found a pic of an H&R .32 cal., and it looks just like mine (the grips are identical), except for the front site.

 

[alanfir]

I can add some general information from Bill Goforth. There were five different companies that made these; Hopkins and Allen, Meriden, Iver Johnson, Harrington and Richardson, and an unknown Spanish manufacturer. They came in two calibers, 38 S&W and 32 S&W and in both hammerless and hammer versions. The Hopkins and Allen was likely the first company to make these and the unknown Spanish company the last with the earliest dating to about 1890 and the last into the 1920's.

 

[JoyBell]

Are you sure it is a S&W? A few pics would help. Best

I have one that I would like to know about too:
Imgur: The magic of the Internet
Imgur: The magic of the Internet
Imgur: The magic of the Internet
Imgur: The magic of the Internet
Thank you!