.38 Single Action Third Model Target Club Gun, serial number “0”

[mrcvs]

I’m sure Don (Club Gun Fan) knows the answer to my question, and may have even purchased this revolver, recently offered at auction:

Rare Smith & Wesson 38 Single Action Target Club Gun Revolver With “0” Serial Number

Club Guns are prefixed with the number “0”, but I always thought that at least one digit followed, such as serial number 01. I had not seen just serial number “0” applied to a revolver before. Which doesn’t really mean anything, as perhaps many models had a serial number “0” Club Gun.

Nonetheless, does the lack of any other digits imply issue to a very special customer, or was it just the first Club Gun for this particular model?

Is the provenance or ship location known? (Of course, a factory letter will tell you that, except it’s not my revolver, and so I won’t ever know otherwise).

I hope Don is taking this one home!

 

[opoefc]

There's two categories - "Club" guns and "Zero" guns . Both have incomplete inventory lists in the archives and specific guns can be researched there. The lists may, or may not, say what club or individual the gun was made for, and genuine guns are known that do not appear on either list. Those lists were created by Charlie Call, an old time S&W employee and by Carl Hellstrom. In my experience, the Zero guns were more often made up for special individuals, like VIPs, Wesson family members and old employees. Ed

 

[rct269]

I hear tell 0 (only) guns were destined for members of the Wesson family-----possibly also for others they might designate, but that's just something that makes some sense---nothing that I've been told.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Boulder350]

They only made about 50 single Zeroed numbered guns. I have heard that the Wesson family had them made as gifts or promotions. Single zero numbered guns won't letter. Most guns that start with a zero and have other numbers that follow can be lettered.

I really wanted that one. I should have bid higher, oh well. It would have completed my Model of 91 set.

 

[BMur]

Bulged barrel

It’s a beauty but the bulged barrel sinks it for me.

Murph

 

[Club Gun Fan]

It’s a beauty but the bulged barrel sinks it for me.

Murph

That is why I stayed away also. There were about 50 Zero numbered guns. We have not found records for them. I have a mate to it also. It resided in the Smith & Wesson showcase during WWII. It was part of a combination set having a .32 and a .38 barrel along with the .22 barrel. When my working computer is back, I'll post more photos of some of my Zero guns. I don't know why Smith & Wesson called the Club Guns. Maybe it was because you have to be in the "Club" to get one. I think they should be called "Gift Guns". As far as when there was a gun club given a Club Gun, that was 0333. It went to the Smith & Wesson Revolver Club along with four others. I own it. It has three barrels with it. I shot it in the Springfield Revolver Club the night before the city of Springfield demolished it.

 

[mrcvs]

It’s a beauty but the bulged barrel sinks it for me.

Murph

I wouldn’t want it, either, but I thought it brought good money considering the barrel bulge.

It seems to me that a “0” serial number revolver would be limited to one per model. Or, could multiple “0” serial number revolvers exist per given model, multiple identical serial number “0” revolvers for plant employees, etc?

 

[rct269]

Actually, they started off to call them Very Special Guns For Very Special People (VSGFVSP), but nobody could pronounce VSGFVSP, so they said, "Ah the hell with it----let's just call them Club Guns, and let it go at that!"

It seems to have worked out in the long run.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Club Gun Fan]

It seems to me that a “0” serial number revolver would be limited to one per model. Or, could multiple “0” serial number revolvers exist per given model, multiple identical serial number “0” revolvers for plant employees, etc?[/QUOTE]

That is incorrect. There are multiples of some models. When my computer comes back, I can give you examples. I have 15 Single Shots. I know of 4 Third Model M's. All four are 3 inch nickel with MOP stocks and serial number 0. I own one of the four. There are over 40 Model of 1917s with either 6.5" or 5.5" barrels.

 

[mrcvs]

It seems to me that a “0” serial number revolver would be limited to one per model. Or, could multiple “0” serial number revolvers exist per given model, multiple identical serial number “0” revolvers for plant employees, etc?

That is incorrect. There are multiples of some models. When my computer comes back, I can give you examples. I have 15 Single Shots. I know of 4 Third Model M's. All four are 3 inch nickel with MOP stocks and serial number 0. I own one of the four. There are over 40 Model of 1917s with either 6.5" or 5.5" barrels.[/QUOTE]

Okay, so multiple revolvers or pistols with serial number “0” is probably why there are not records with regards to these, How would you know which serial number “0” went with which record?

 

[BMur]

Amplified information

I look at the subject gun and see a lot of unique features. Mexican model, low production long barrel, target sights, pearl grips, blued finish. Not to many guns that would be an exact match having all of those unique features. I don’t think it would be too difficult to find it in the zero log? If one exists.

The frame has the logo so post 1896 and the barrel has model of 91 and lacks the caliber stamp so pre-1902ish. So 1896-1902ish as an approximate shipping date.

Murph

 

[opoefc]

To further muddy the waters - there are guns with multiple "0" numbers, such as the Victory Model with serial number 0000 ! ( As well as guns with no numbers at all - The late S&WCA member, Larry Gaertner, had a mint blued Triple Lock w/o any numbers or service dep't stamps anywhere on it. We assumed it must have been an employee put together gun. ) Ed

 

[mmaher94087]

That revolver is not a "Mexican model". It is a .38 Single Action, 3rd Model with a spur trigger 'Trigger kit' installed in place of the standard trigger and bow type trigger guard. It does not have the "Mexican" hammer.

 

[Boulder350]

I have 2 Zeroed number guns. One a model of 91 with a 4" barrel. There was another one for sale on gun broker for a few months several years go, that makes 2 of them. Another was posted here so that makes 3.

The other one I have is a 2nd model single shot with an 8 barrel in 22.

How many Mexican zeroed numbered guns are there, or ones with a added spur trigger? That may be the only one out there.

Correction: The one posted above is not a single zero numbered gun.

 

[BMur]

Altered?

That revolver is not a "Mexican model". It is a .38 Single Action, 3rd Model with a spur trigger 'Trigger kit' installed in place of the standard trigger and bow type trigger guard. It does not have the "Mexican" hammer.

Dare we go down the “altered” road? I have to admit this is the first of many many guns that I have seen with a bulged barrel that is literally not visible from the outside. Hmm, what does that tells us?

Murph

 

[Boulder350]

Single zero or multiple zero guns were made from left over parts the factory had laying around. The frames will have a zero on them but the other parts may have other serial numbers, no serial numbers, or a zero. When the guns were assembled sometimes they did not use the typical configuration of the model. That makes some collectors nervous.

Here is how mine are displayed. Since they are called club guns some early medals from the USRA are included.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Single zero or multiple zero guns were made from left over parts the factory had laying around. The frames will have a zero on them but the other parts may have other serial numbers, no serial numbers, or a zero. When the guns were assembled sometimes they did not use the typical configuration of the model.
Not always true. I have several that are made from brand new parts.

 

[Boulder350]

Good to know Don. Are you referring to the Zero only guns or the ones that start with a zero and have other numbers after?

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Good to know Don. Are you referring to the Zero only guns or the ones that start with a zero and have other numbers after?

Both plain zero and "Club Guns.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Here is an example of a Club Gun, I'shown it before. Serial Number 000009. It was made up for Wally Beinfeld. It was made up from a new Model 39.