Hi, what do I have here…

[D Brown]

I’m a huge S&W revolver fan and have quite a few of them but I will admit I’m a generalist and while I have a good collection of firearms and though I believe I know a quite a bit about a lot of guns, maybe not so much about the older models S&W revolvers.

Just got this 5 Screw .38 spl with a 5” barrel nickel plated and the plating is in great shape. Gun is in EXCELLENT condition overall with a great bore and TIGHT action. Serial number is 3040XX which leads me to believe maybe shipped 1918 or 19? No logos or addresses on frame. Grips are originals with no damage and have the serial number written in pencil inside. I believe I’m the first one that has ever removed them off the gun, they are tight and beautifully fitted.

Could someone confirm date? Any other information I should be aware of? Approximate value in todays market? I bought it for $400 cash. Assuming I did Ok?

Thank you in advance for your knowledge!

It's quite refreshing to see a post inquiring about value/history where the O.P. discloses what they paid for the item right up front. Usually, it requires multiple requests from subsequent posters to get the O.P to reveal this information. Good job!

 

[LostintheOzone]

This was a find in a pawn shop out in “the country” and the owner is a good buddy and I buy a fair amount of stuff off him. When he said “for you I’ll do $400 cash out the door” I figured even though I don’t know enough about pre-war S&W, where on earth am I going to find a solid .38 spl revolver in this shape for $400?!?!?! So I just handed the cash over.

Then I went on Gunbroker and Armslist and saw prices all over the place from the $400s to asking prices over $1,000, so I figured I’d ask some actual experts. I also marked a bunch of auctions to “watch” so I can see what they actually sell for. In time that will give me a better sense of the market. Thanks for the insight.

Good luck with GB. I've never found them helpful with pricing anything except new firearms.

The best source is right here.

 

[Wambli Ska]

Good luck with GB. I've never found them helpful with pricing anything except new firearms.

The best source is right here.

With all the respect in the world I disagree with you. I don’t doubt that this Forum has very knowledgeable members. But, I have over 125 A+ successful transactions on Gunbroker both buying and selling to upgrade my collection and NONE of them in “new guns”.

If you know what you are doing, are knowledgeable about firearms you have and want to acquire, and have the patience to shop good deals, it’s a great site to conduct legal firearms transactions nationwide and do research on current market value of firearms, including collectibles. But you have to know how to use the site hands on, a skill that seems to elude many folks for reasons I do not understand.