Help Identifying Top Break

[NewGunDay]

Hello everyone! I am new here and this is my first post. I wanted to see if someone could help me identify this top break S&W that was given to me by my grandfather several years ago. A manufacturing year would be a huge plus. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Information and photos below.

Serial # - 406308

Top of barrel stamping - "Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass. U.S.A Pat'd May 11. 1880. Jan 3. 1882. April 9. 1889"

Barrel Length - 3.25"

Cylinder Length - 1.25"

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! You have a .38 Double Action. Someone will be along with an estimated age but it has a fairly late serial number, so was likely made in the early 20th century. We like interesting family stories related to guns.

 

[NewGunDay]

Welcome! You have a .38 Double Action. Someone will be along with an estimated age but it has a fairly late serial number, so was likely made in the early 20th century. We like interesting family stories related to guns.

Thank you very much!!!

 

[opoefc]

Made in 1902, based on known " make " dates of close serial numbers. A Factory historical letter ( $100) will give you the shipping date and info on the gun's destination. Ed

 

[NewGunDay]

Made in 1902, based on known " make " dates of close serial numbers. A Factory historical letter ( $100) will give you the shipping date and info on the gun's destination. Ed

Thank you! Would you happen to know what model this is?

 

[murphydog]

.38 Double Action. Named in the good old literal marketing days.

 

[BMur]

Back strap

Any markings on the back strap? That is the metal strip that is parallel to the hard rubber grips?

Murph

 

[gmborkovic]

I had a gg-ma that carried a 32 DA in her apron pocket when the men were out in the fields. She also chewed and took a taste of local shine at the end of the day. She had ten kids. Wished I had known her.

 

[mmaher94087]

NewGunGuy, heirloom stories are great. Few have them as they are lost to time. Document what information you have. Names, address, dates and recollections or stories will preserve the history.

Off subject but relevant, Photo #1, there is a witness mark (-) on the barrel pivot pin at 9 o'clock. In photo #2 there is a corresponding witness mark on the barrel hinge at 3 o'clock. They should align. Loosen the screw three turns and tap the screw head with the handle of the screwdriver to loosen it. Swap the pin and screw to opposite sides, align the marks and tighten the screw.

 

[NewGunDay]

NewGunGuy, heirloom stories are great. Few have them as they are lost to time. Document what information you have. Names, address, dates and recollections or stories will preserve the history.

Off subject but relevant, Photo #1, there is a witness mark (-) on the barrel pivot pin at 9 o'clock. In photo #2 there is a corresponding witness mark on the barrel hinge at 3 o'clock. They should align. Loosen the screw three turns and tap the screw head with the handle of the screwdriver to loosen it. Swap the pin and screw to opposite sides, align the marks and tighten the screw.

You, sir, just fixed a lot of things. The hinge is tighter and I was having a problem where the cylinder would not lock into the next chamber when I pulled back the hammer. It would be just a slight turn away from locking. Both problems are fixed. Thank you very much!!!!

 

[Wiregrassguy]

S&W made the .38 Double Action in 5 sequential models where each model introduced some engineering change. Yours is a 4th Model which was the last one to have a pinned front sight blade and the recurve trigger guard. It was designed to shoot the black powder .38 S&W cartridge (not .38 Special). You can still find the cartridges at many big box sporting goods stores or online. Modern smokeless cartridges are ok to shoot as long as it is in good mechanical condition and indexes/locks up correctly.

 

[glowe]

Thank you! Would you happen to know what model this is?

Welcome to the Forum. The proper name for the revolver is 38 Double Action, 4th Model. There were 5 models made from 1880 to 1911. Unfortunately, it has been rode hard and put up wet at least once too often, but glad it functions properly. Your gun can be shot with standard 38 S&W factory loads if it continues to work as it should. The company made over a half-million 38 DAs, so there is little value unless in pristine condition.

S&W recorded age of their guns by the date they shipped, not when they were manufactured. Your serial number puts the gun in the neighborhood of of those guns listed below. Completed revolvers were stored until shipped, but the company did not ship in any order so a factory letter is the only option to find out exactly when your 38 left the factory.

38 DA
399XXX shipped in 1901
400XXX shipped in 1901
407XXX shipped in 1900
409XXX shipped in 1901

 

[mmaher94087]

NewGunDay, Dang it, I blew your name. I'm sorry. I'm glad I could help. I'm passionate about these old Top-break and Tip-up revolvers and I hate to see ones 'messed with' by an armature. This was an easy fix.

 

[DWalt]

The DA .38 revolvers are very common and a high percentage survived in fairly good condition as many of them spent much of their existence reposing in someone's nightstand drawer. Generally, they have little monetary value unless they are in as-new or nearly new condition, and preferably, with their original shipping box. While ammunition (.38 S&W, NOT .38 Special) is still made, you may find it difficult to find any. Most stores will not carry it in stock as it has so little demand. Very few guns have been made in that caliber for the last 75 years. Yours definitely would not be worth the cost of getting a historical letter.

One more item - insofar as Uncle Sam and some states and cities are concerned, your revolver would be treated as a modern gun, not as an antique, because it was made after 1898.