Have I Learned anything?

[gwpercle]

Is my friends revolver a Smith & Wesson 38 Double Action Fourth Model, serial number 333683 might put it in 1895 or 1896 year of production, since the left side of the barrel does not have 38 S&W C T G. mark I'm thinking a poor polish and reblue, the barrel rib has all the right markings but they are hard to read, does the 5 pointed star between and below the last two digits of the serial nos have any meaning???
The gun is in mechanically good shape, the bore and chambers are not pitted, shows signs of having been shot little. It chambers a 38 S&W cartridge, thats how I determined that. Tell me what I missed or got right. What does the serial number appear to be in the enlarged photo...maybe 333383???, wish that was in focus.
Photo's following.
Gary

 

[Mike McLellan]

Move to the front of the class! You've done well. The star means that it's been back to the factory for some kind of work. In this case it might be the re-finish that you've alluded to. Hard to say. Nice gun. You know a lot more than I do about those old top-breaks, So, I'm just guessing that you're right. Nah, I'm sure you are!

Bye the way. It seems to me that the caliber wasn't stamped on the barrels at that time. I could be wrong, though.

 

[gwpercle]

additional photo's.

Sorry about quaility of , Not a photographer...will take additional ones if needed.

Gary

 

[glowe]

I don't see any signs of a refinish on this Smith. If it was refinished at the factory, the rollmarks must have been refreshed. I would rather think the gun may have had a broken part replaced and not a refinish. Too bad they had to throw in an "8" instead of another "3". Looks like 333383 to me. Nice little 38.

 

[gwpercle]

Why is the cal. designation not marked on it. My 1906 4th model has 38 S & W C T G. stamped on the left side of the barrel...this one has nothing stamped in that location? Were they not marked at that time ? If this one has not been refinished what do you estimate the value...$250.00 or so ?

Gary

 

[glowe]

I can not state with certainly that none of the top break hammer 38 DAs were stamped, but none of mine have any caliber markings. The Perfected Model is the only top break 38 DA I have with caliber markings.

 

[DWalt]

I have a 4th only slightly older than yours and it has no caliber stampings.

 

[gwpercle]

Thanks for the replies, I have learned a bit more about 38 Dbl Actions. Not all 4th models had the cartridge designation stamped on the left side of the barrel. A five pointed star means a return to the factory for something. My friends 38 D.A. 4th model is from 1895, the serial number is really 333383 and it has not been reblued.
You guys are awesome! It just amazes me what you can glean from a few blurry out of focus photographs.

Thanks, I'm learning and having fun doing it.
Gary

 

[Dosgatos]

I have 4th Model #506557, dated 11/1906 per Roy. It is marked "38 S&W CTG" on the left side of the 4" barrel. Oddly enough, the stamping is to the extreme right of the barrel, rather than centered. If one were to cut the barrel to 1-5/8" the stamping would be perfectly centered.

 

[gwpercle]

I have 4th Model #506557, dated 11/1906 per Roy. It is marked "38 S&W CTG" on the left side of the 4" barrel. Oddly enough, the stamping is to the extreme right of the barrel, rather than centered. If one were to cut the barrel to 1-5/8" the stamping would be perfectly centered.

My 4th model, #455467, is also dated to 1906, and like your's , is marked " 38 S&W CTG. " on the left side of it's five
inch barrel and like your's is positioned to the far right , not centered, in the exact same position as yours. So it would appear, that in 1906 at least , they were marked with the caliber designation in this location reguardless of the length of the barrel. Very interesting. Anyone have a so marked 4th model ?
I bet a 6 inch barrel is marked similarily. Wonder when they started the cal. barrel marking ?

Gary

 

[glowe]

My 4th model, #455467, is also dated to 1906, and like your's , is marked " 38 S&W CTG. "Gary

It makes sense that the early 1900s revolvers would all have caliber markings. It was the time that many new calibers were introduced and that could have easily caused confusion among buyers. 38 Special, 32 Long, etc. HEs were all marked, so the company probably added the caliber stampings to any revolver leaving the company from around 1900 on.

 

[stan salter]

My Fourth Model, serial no. 380997, left the factory on Feb 1, 1899. It has no caliber markings. So it would seem that the observation that they started adding this marking about 1900 is correct.

Stan

 

[gwpercle]

Appreciate your help....now I know a whole lot more about 38 Double Action's than ever. I have down loaded everything and given a copy to my friend to put with his gun so he can pass it along. And keeping a copy to go with the information I already have from here on my 4th model, to also pass along.
This is a realy GREAT site, thanks.
Gary