Breaktop .38 DA 4th Model - Price???

[Dosgatos]

I found this .38 S&W Double-Action 4th Model
#5065xx at a gunshow today. All the serial numbers match, including under the right grip. There is N O wear on the blue, and only a tiny amount of wear on the right grip where something apparently rubbed against it. The left grip had a trace of lipstick on it, so my guess is that it was a lady's gun and sat in a drawer with something up against the grip. Because it was so clean and the asking price was only $300, I was suspicious. My first thought was that it was refinished, but all the lettering/numbers are crisp and clear. The only "flaw" was that the latch was stiff, but working a little oil into it cured that. Fortunately a friend talked me into making an offer - the seller settled for $250. What am I missing here?

 

[Dosgatos]

I found this .38 S&W Double-Action 4th Model
#5065xx at a gunshow today. All the serial numbers match, including under the right grip. There is N O wear on the blue, and only a tiny amount of wear on the right grip where something apparently rubbed against it. The left grip had a trace of lipstick on it, so my guess is that it was a lady's gun and sat in a drawer with something up against the grip. Because it was so clean and the asking price was only $300, I was suspicious. My first thought was that it was refinished, but all the lettering/numbers are crisp and clear. The only "flaw" was that the latch was stiff, but working a little oil into it cured that. Fortunately a friend talked me into making an offer - the seller settled for $250. What am I missing here?

 

[gunfan]

Not much. It sounds as if you've found yourself a real ilttle shooter! With light 158-grain lead loads in .357" diameter bullets, you can handload it to your hearts delight.

If you are dilligent in your search, you could either find, or arrange to have manufactured, a genuine 146-grain .361" diameter lead mold. You could then cast original .38 S&W soft lead bullets and "roll-your-own" as they do in the factory. (I'd be willing to gamble that yours would turn out better, because you'd take pride in your work. To them, it is just a job.)

Scott

 

[Joe W]

I don't think your " missing anything". At least you didn't miss buying what looks like a real nice gun for a fair price.

 

[mm6mm6]

I'da snapped that little guy up too!

The only thing missing is the few more twenty dollar bills the seller should have sold the gun for!

You got a great deal!

If it were mine, I'd rationalize $30 more to have it lettered by Roy Jinks. Old guns like that are fun to have with a letter that proves when it was made and where it was shipped!

 

[klondike]

Elmer Keith in his book "Sixguns" describes a range sesssion while he was in the Montana National Guard where he won a bet by outshooting all comers with his little S&W 38 topbreak. He thought that it was a wonderful little revolver.

 

[H Richard]

This is a 3rd Mod, in not quite the same condition, and it has the box.

 

[Dosgatos]

I notice there is no S&W logo on the right side - is ther eone at all?

 

[opoefc]

The placing or stamping of S&W logos by the factory has always been a hit or miss exercise with very little rhyme or reason, especially on older models. I've had guns with consecutive serial numbers and the logos were in different places and sometimes on one gun and none on it's mate. Go figure!