I need help identifying the model and era of my revolver.

[DlanCuartin]

Dear all,

My grandfather passed down to me a revolver that originally belonged to his grandfather. I would like to know with more precision what model it is and the year it was manufactured. It’s a .38, and I believe it might be a Model 4, but I’m not sure about that or the exact year. I would appreciate any help, and I apologize if this question doesn't belong in this section of the forum, as I am a new user.

Best regards.

 

[Boulder350]

Welcome to the forum. You have a .38 Double Action 3rd model. They were made from serial number 119,000 to serial number 322,000 between the years of 1884 and 1895 so its and antique per the US standards.

Its a great family heirloom.

 

[BMur]

Welcome

Welcome aboard!

You have a 3rd Model Topbreak. See photo

Also can you look on the back strap of the metal grip frame for any markings?

A lot of these went to police and Express departments.


Murph

 

[DlanCuartin]

Thank you all for the information. I'm now starting the restoration, and once I finish, I'll upload some photos. Best regards!

 

[robertrwalsh]

Poor quality restoration will damage rather than enhance value. I am assuming you want a functional reminder of the family and I am cool with that. From your wording I am assuming this is something you are planning on doing yourself. Make sure to get some competent advice before you just jump in. Congrats on the family treasure.

 

[gmborkovic]

Hold on new guy. What restoration? Does it entail steel wool and electric drill with a wire brush? If so please stop. Just an oily rag and a bore brush.

 

[DlanCuartin]

Apologies if my writing isn’t perfect; I’m not a native English speaker. I’m going to take it to a restorer to ensure the work is done correctly. I only clean, assemble, and disassemble my firearms, haha.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

It is not at all clear that you should take it to anybody. In the United States, one does not usually take a gun to a "restorer." Outside of the factory, which only handles rather recent arms, what is available are individual gunsmiths, refinishers, and several other specialists, each responsible only for his own specialty and responsive to the stated desires of the owner. YOU will determine what happens to that gun, and will not always get good advice, whatever that means, from a specialist. I have no idea what goes on in other countries.

Inhabitants of the US tend to replace non-functional parts and NOT refinish, preserving the original weapon as best we can. Some other nationalities do differently, not regarding a factory restoration as sinful. However, I doubt that a factory restoration is an existing option, anyway.

Many posters here are far more knowledgeable on this subject than I. If you watch this thread for a day or two, you will probably hear from some of them, a few of whom have already posted.

 

[reddog81]

I don't' know where you are located but in the US that would be a $100 gun give or take in that condition assuming it functions. Spending money to "restore" it would be a money pit and won't really make it worth much more.

 

[DlanCuartin]

To be clearer, here in Spain, we have people who specialize in performing very meticulous maintenance on firearms, as well as restorers who always take care to preserve their originality. In this case, it's more about maintenance than restoration. Mechanically, the firearm is fine, but the barrel has remnants of many years, and humidity has affected it. It's been stored for a long time without maintenance. What I want is to make it operational if possible, and the cost of the work isn't relevant to me since I'm doing it for sentimental reasons.

 

[BMur]

Markings?

DlanCuartin,

Could you please answer my earlier question regarding markings on the backstrap?
See photo
Often these markings were ground off crudely.
So any grind marks or heavy looking sanding could also indicate a Police or Express gun.

Murph

 

[DlanCuartin]

Hi, the number on the pistol I have has not been removed. This revolver was bought new by my great-great-grandfather. Regards!

 

[Jim Watson]

Interesting that a real Smith & Wesson sold in Spain, home to so many copies.

 

[steelslaver]

By the way. It is a 38 S&W, not a 38 S&W special.