Hammerless Help Please

[Robin of Inglenook]

Would greatly appreciate any help you folks could give me regarding my S&W .38 hammerless revolver. She (it's too pretty to be a he) is a top-break with a 3.25" barrel and fixed sight. Don't know the model number, but the serial number on the bottom of the grip and on the inside rim of the cylinder reads "10131". She has pearl grips, nickel plating (worn in some spots) and beautiful engraving I've been told is Mexican, though I don't know that to be true. The top of the barrel gives patent dates, but much of the writing is illegible, though the last patent date appears to be Oct. 2 '83 with the word "TWO" spelled out afterwards. Will see if I can post some pics. Thanks in advance!

 

[Robin of Inglenook]

Here are some of the pics.

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. You have a 38 Safety Hammerless, 2nd Model that would have left the factory around 1888. A very nice and well used Hammerless revolver. Mother pearl stocks are original factory and could be ordered at an additional cost. I am not an expert on engraving, but since the original buyer paid extra for the stocks, maybe paid for the engraving from the factory as well. The problem is that many were sold to distributors who had their guns engraved for sale. Obviously, factory stocks and engraving is worth more and more sought after by collectors.

 

[Robin of Inglenook]

Thank you Gary. Any suggestions for the best place to evaluate and market her? Not that familiar with gun sites. Would prefer to sell to a collector, and may list her on my pages @ goantiques.com, but have to have an idea of what she's worth. If you know of some reputable places to get an appraisal, I'd appreciate it. Thanks again for the info! Robin of Inglenook

 

[glowe]

There are several engraving experts on the Forum and I hope they can find the post to give you information on the engraving. It seems that the engraving is either well worn and the gun has been replated or it is after-market lightly engraved. The stocks are worth $250 by themselves, but a non-engraved replated Safety Hammerless would be worth no more than $200 with original hard rubber stocks. If the engraving is original, there would be additional value, but condition would limit the premium since there is so much wear.

There is a section of this Forum where you can sell the revolver, but be sure to read the rules on posting one for sale.

 

[Robin of Inglenook]

Thanks so much!