Is this a Third or Forth Model .32 or .38?

[JBONES]

Since I read in another thread I must now wait until October as the Certificate fee is going to $50. Could you fine folks give me your thoughts on this one, while I wait for Oct. That's too far off, why so long? This gun has been in the family. Thanks in advance on which model and caliber you believe it to be.

I'll describe the same info as I put on the S&W Letter of Authenticity Request Form.
S/N 121886
Finish nickel
Black Hard Rubber Grips, roundish, checkered
DA, Top Break
Clyinder length is 1 3/16
Barrel length is 3 1/4

 

[JBONES]

Since I read in another thread I must now wait until October as the Certificate fee is going to $50. Could you fine folks give me your thoughts on this one, while I wait for Oct. That's too far off, why so long? This gun has been in the family. Thanks in advance on which model and caliber you believe it to be.

I'll describe the same info as I put on the S&W Letter of Authenticity Request Form.
S/N 121886
Finish nickel
Black Hard Rubber Grips, roundish, checkered
DA, Top Break
Clyinder length is 1 3/16
Barrel length is 3 1/4

 

[deadin]

With that cyliunder length and serial number it is a .38 Double Action 3rd Model made from 1884 - 1895 in serial range 119001 to 322700.
Yours should be fairly close to the 1884-85 period.

 

[JBONES]

Originally posted by deadin:
With that cyliunder length and serial number it is a .38 Double Action 3rd Model made from 1884 - 1895 in serial range 119001 to 322700.
Yours should be fairly close to the 1884-85 period.

Thanks Deadin. This gun's feels like new everything on it works perfectly. Do you think it would be worth shooting if an expert were to look it over and deem it safe to fire?

 

[deadin]

Depends on the "Expert". Remember that it was made for Black Powder. There are some that feel as long as you use commercial smokeless loads and the gun is in good condition, you will be OK. There are others that say BP only. Definitely no souped-up handloads.
I used to shoot similar age guns with factory ammo and never had any problems. (Conventional wisdom says that the factory stuff is kept mild for these very guns.) However, anymore I'm more of a tradionalist and will only shoot BP handloads in the old guns.

 

[JBONES]

Originally posted by deadin:
Depends on the "Expert". Remember that it was made for Black Powder. There are some that feel as long as you use commercial smokeless loads and the gun is in good condition, you will be OK. There are others that say BP only. Definitely no souped-up handloads.
I used to shoot similar age guns with factory ammo and never had any problems. (Conventional wisdom says that the factory stuff is kept mild for these very guns.) However, anymore I'm more of a tradionalist and will only shoot BP handloads in the old guns.

Are the BP or commercial smokeless loads easily found?

 

[deadin]

I don't know if anyone is loading BP commercially. I've always loaded my own. It's not hard to do.
Smokeless loads are available, but are getting harder to find and pricey. Some of the guys that shoot Cowboy Action and such should be able to point you in the right direction.

 

[JBONES]

Thanks buddy!