Help w/ Value & Info, Please!!

[Pyromike]

My grandfather owned this .38. We don't know where he obtained it. He shot it in the 1940's & 50's. It has been in a box in my dad's closet for about 50 years. With great help, spent many hours polishing & cleaning. Top of the 4" barrell reads: Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Mass. U.S. Patent Jan 24, 06, July 11, 65, Aug 24, 69, Reissue July 25, 71, May 11, 80, Jan 5, 82. There is no model number but the serial number is 1275XX.
I am patiently waiting for my letter from Roy on the History, but if anyone could tell me an age, frame style, and especially an approximate value I would greatly appreciate it. When I get all the info I can, I will most likely be looking to sell it. I am new to handguns; just bought my first 9mm, and am now looking for my first CCW. Hope to take the class soon!

I hope these pictures come out. If not, I will try to post them again. I have a few more pics if anyone wants/needs to see them.
Thanks in advance for anyone's help with my request. I figured I'd start with the experts here on this forum as I have spent many hours reading.

 

[Pyromike]

My grandfather owned this .38. We don't know where he obtained it. He shot it in the 1940's & 50's. It has been in a box in my dad's closet for about 50 years. With great help, spent many hours polishing & cleaning. Top of the 4" barrell reads: Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Mass. U.S. Patent Jan 24, 06, July 11, 65, Aug 24, 69, Reissue July 25, 71, May 11, 80, Jan 5, 82. There is no model number but the serial number is 1275XX.
I am patiently waiting for my letter from Roy on the History, but if anyone could tell me an age, frame style, and especially an approximate value I would greatly appreciate it. When I get all the info I can, I will most likely be looking to sell it. I am new to handguns; just bought my first 9mm, and am now looking for my first CCW. Hope to take the class soon!

I hope these pictures come out. If not, I will try to post them again. I have a few more pics if anyone wants/needs to see them.
Thanks in advance for anyone's help with my request. I figured I'd start with the experts here on this forum as I have spent many hours reading.

 

[Stranglehold]

Looks like a 38 Double Action 3rd Model, made between 1884 to 1895. SCSW gives values between $200 to 400. I'm sure there are more knowlegable members here that can give more info.

Please think twice about selling a family heirloom like this.

Roe

 

[Onomea]

Pyromike, someone will chime in soon who is a lot more knowledgeable than I on these top breaks, but I urge you to reconsider selling it. (I'm guessing it is worth several hunderd, maybe $500, but I am not up on these guns.) I urge you to reconsider because few of us here have guns that we have inherited from our grandfathers, but nearly all of us wish we did. I think as you get older the gun will come to mean a lot more to you, if you are a gun guy, or to your own children. I counsel try to hang on to it.

 

[Pyromike]

Dad and I have discussed the pros & cons for keeping/selling. He has no interest in it and isn't into guns in any way. That's why it was in his closet for 50 years. Since I got into the 'hobby', I wanted to find out more.

We haven't found a reason to keep it. Would never shoot it. Thought a collector may appreciate it more than us; but yes, I have consider the heirloom factor. I never knew my grandfather. He passed before I was born, but I was named after him. If I keep getting replys like these, I may reconsider and keep it!
Thanks

 

[Kamerer]

I also never new my grandfather - died shortly before I was born. I am named after him, also. But he was a warrior in WWII and someone Whose actions shaped my life regardless of knowing him. To have even a simple token of his existence would be very meaningful to me - and I have nothing.

Hang on to this for a while until you sort it out, especially if you do like guns and have a growing interest in them. This looks to be in remarkable condition and a "keeper."

 

[Stranglehold]

KEEP IT!

Roe

 

[opoefc]

Pyromike, If you sell or dispose of the gun you, and especially your son(s) and grandson(s) will regret that you did. Family guns are irreplaceable - I have the flint lock rifle my Great Great Great Grandfather carried in the Revolutionary war, several Civil war guns from ancestors, and a Colt & Winchesters carried west by ancestors, plus my own small arms from the Korean War. My sons & grandsons will split these up, but no amount of money would buy these guns from them. And when the coming North American Union of Canada, USA & Mexico sez to turn in all your guns, these guns will go underground until the next revolution.

 

[depicts]

If that had been my Grandfather's gun, I would never let it go. The longer you own it, the more you will appreciate it.

 

[glypnir]

Yeah, keep it. It's worth more to you than to anyone else.

 

[Pyromike]

The more replies I'm reading, the more all of you are making sense to hang on to it. We considered a glass display box along with the 1 bullet from 50+ years ago. We call it the 'Barney Fife'.
I'd still like to get more information as to a possible value. I've been waiting for about a month for my History letter. Hopfully that will answer a lot of questions.

 

[bk43]

When I was young and dumb(now I'm older and dumb) I inherited two long guns from my grandfather and sold them. I now own many guns yet I deeply regret not having those two every time I look at my old long guns. How about a shadow box with some other memorabilia to allow the whole family to view and enjoy their heritage?

Do not be a dumb ass like I was and sell it.

Bob

 

[1891SingleShot]

I'm going to have to agree with the majority on this one. Even if you could get $500 for it, what is that going to do for you in today's world? Wouldn't take long for the money to be gone and then you won't have the money or the pistol that once belonged to your Grandpa. My dad has a number of guns that belonged to my Grandpa (whom I never knew), and when they are passed down to me and my brother, we will keep them and pass them along to our boys. As far as value, I think $500 would be tops and more likely $300-$400. I have a number of these top breaks, some in comparable condition to yours, and some not, and have never paid over $400 for any.

 

[Speedo2]

You should listen to these guys. I wish someone had given me that advise around 12 years ago. -S2

 

[22lover]

Your gun looks to be in very nice shape. Even if it was a rusty piece of junk, it's part of your family's history. I'm with the other guys here who urge you to keep it

 

[CelticSire]

While I understand the thought of selling it, I would urge you to keep it. As stated by other members here, having a firearm that belonged to the grandfather that you were named after is something that is irreplaceable. To me it serves as a link to a man that you say you never knew. Maybe this is one way to get to know him, by having something that he obviously cherished by the condition that it is in.

 

[mt pockets]

As others have advised-don't sell! I have my grandfather's " M&P Second model or model of 1902". I was born in 1943, he died in 1945. Therefore, I don't remember him. Prior to my mother(his youngest daugher)passing away in 1996, she went to a safety deposit box and gave it to me. There is and never will be a price put on this gun. In a few years it will be passed on to my oldest son. I have already had it lettered by Mr. Jinks to pass on with the gun. Consider your desicion carefully, as I'm sure you will.

 

[10-12]

Originally posted by Onomea:
Pyromike, someone will chime in soon who is a lot more knowledgeable than I on these top breaks, but I urge you to reconsider selling it. (I'm guessing it is worth several hunderd, maybe $500, but I am not up on these guns.) I urge you to reconsider because few of us here have guns that we have inherited from our grandfathers, but nearly all of us wish we did. I think as you get older the gun will come to mean a lot more to you, if you are a gun guy, or to your own children. I counsel try to hang on to it.

For what it's worth, I agree. Sell it and you may regret it later and even come to resent the gun you bought with the money.

Bill

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Your Dad, despite having "no interest in guns", kept this heirloom for 50 years. Why do you suppose he did such a thing?

You are just "getting into handguns" as you say, so pause awhile and reflect upon the fact that although you never knew your Grandfather, your Dad thought enough of this objects association with his Father, to keep it. There may have been times when a few extra bucks would have helped your young family out, but he didn't sell it. For it's monetary value, that would be a cheap exchange for a memento of your Grandfather, and your Father's memory.

 

[n4zov]

No matter what you sell the gun for, in a year or two you will have forgotten what you spent the money for. However, you will always regret having sold it! I'll wager that not one member of this forum will ever tell you, "I am sure glad I got rid of granddad's old Smith & Wesson. Used the money to buy a great new riding lawnmower." Keep the gun!