Antique 38 hammerless

[iby]

I have been looking and this one caught me
Factory ammo?

 

[opoefc]

Not sure what you are asking " Factory Ammo ?" What is the source of the "Assesment info. ?" I don't believe this gun is one of the Safety Hammerless models sold to the US Army, as only a S&W Historical factory letter can authenticate that. It appears to have been a personal firearm of Mr. Hoskins, that for wharever reason the military unit's title was applied to the gun, perhaps postwar ? Ed

 

[iby]

The "Assessment" info was copied by the seller from Wikipedia.( Hoskins is not mentioned)
I would guess you are correct about it being a civilian purchase.
The inscription looks period correct to me and the whole rig looks original and unmolested but slightly corroded.
It might be worth a factory letter
I asked about firing it with current ammo.

 

[erikpolcrack]

Not sure what you are asking " Factory Ammo ?" What is the source of the "Assesment info. ?" I don't believe this gun is one of the Safety Hammerless models sold to the US Army, as only a S&W Historical factory letter can authenticate that. It appears to have been a personal firearm of Mr. Hoskins, that for wharever reason the military unit's title was applied to the gun, perhaps postwar ? Ed

Don't know whether this helps, but the format of the pictured document looks just like the standard write-up Lock, Stock, and Barrel of Simi Valley, CA uses in their GunBroker auctions.

 

[glowe]

Factory ammo is fine, Remington and Winchester make a very mild loading today. I thought the US Army trial revolvers were supplied with a 6" barrel?? Anyway, the 3rd Model serial number ran from 42,484 to 116,002 and all were made before 1899 so are antiques.