can someone id this gun for me?

[derik4321]

Hello. I am new on here and I just came into posession of an old s&w revolver. the barrell has .38 s&w CTG on it and the top of the barrell has the patent info on it.
(smith & wesson springfield massachusets usa pat may 11 1890 jan 8 1889 april 9 1889. It resembles alot of other older versions I have seen with exception that this on seems to have a good bit shorter barrell that the others. Any help is MUCH apprecieated.

 

[derik4321]

Hello. I am new on here and I just came into posession of an old s&w revolver. the barrell has .38 s&w CTG on it and the top of the barrell has the patent info on it.
(smith & wesson springfield massachusets usa pat may 11 1890 jan 8 1889 april 9 1889. It resembles alot of other older versions I have seen with exception that this on seems to have a good bit shorter barrell that the others. Any help is MUCH apprecieated.

 

[derik4321]

photos:
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn140/cheerchik421/DSCN0398.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn140/cheerchik421/DSCN0399.jpg

 

[derik4321]

oh and the sreial number is 530505

 

[deadin]

It's either a 3rd or 4th Model .38 S&W Double Action. Will need the serial number to tell which.

 

[cflier]

Hi Derik,
Welcome to the forum. It looks like you have a S&W 4th model Double Action in 38 S&W. I can't see it for sure in your pictures but it looks like the front sight is pinned which indicates a fourth model. The serial number would be a more reliable indicater if you care to share it. The barrel length most often seen in the old 38 top breaks is 3 1/4 inch. It appears that is what you have there. Measure it from the front of the cylinder to know for sure.
Mark

 

[deadin]

You sensed I was going to ask..

That serial puts it as a 4th Model and is fairly late in the production range. 322,701 to 539,000, made 1895 to 1909. The way to get an exact date is by ordering a letter from S&W ($30)

BTW Welcome to the forum !

 

[cflier]

It looks like Dean and I were both answering the first post as you were writing the serial number. It is a late 4th model, probably shipped between 1907 and 1909.
Mark

 

[deadin]

Mark, What are you doing up so early?

 

[Art Doc]

I think it may some sort of pre-lock model.

 

[derik4321]

Thanks so much for the id on this gun and yes the front sight is pinned. I have inherited a huge gun collection and this is a daunting task to id all of these. does this little s&w hold any value? Not that I am dying to sell it, but I just want to know what I have..

 

[winchester1]

Hey guys, forgive me for jumping in, but I have one of these as well and maybe you guys can answer some questions. The number on the bottom of the grip frame (the normal S&W location0 is 68xx in very large numbers. on the back of the cylinder is 480xxx. The gun is nickel and very nice (sorry about the lack of pictures - old computer) but the trigger guard is nickel as well - shouldn't it be blue? possible refinish? And last of all the grips are different from others I've seen, they have 2 screws, and the best way to describe them is oversized. They cover the back strap and are larger than the frame the whole way up the back. they do appear to be original diamond grips. Any ideas?
Thanks for the help,
Jeff