Is this real S&W or a clone???

[The Old Texan]

i just got what appears to be a S&W .38 S&W break top 5 shot revolver double action only. It has pearl grips, the top of the barrel has the Smith & Wesson name Springfield, Mass USA pat'nd several dates the last one appears to Jan 5, 05. The years are very hard to read. It does not have the S&W emblem on the right side of the frame like my .32 lemon squeezer does. The look the same, but the back side of the trigger guard is square on the .38, more round on the .32. Serial No. for the .38 S&W is: 3001xx. The lemon squeezer is 2039xx Do I have a real Smith & Wesson or is it a clone? Thanks for any help. Frank

 

[opoefc]

Frank, Can you post a picture? Based on what you are describing, I would guess you have a clone, or copy, because there are no S&W safety hammerless revolvers with a square back trigger guard and the highest serial number for a S&W is 261,500. Ed.

 

[glowe]

I think you are talking about an exposed hammer model. 38 DA Third Model is a 5 shot with a re-curved trigger guard as you describe. The 38 Safety (hammerless) has a rounded trigger guard similar to your 32. The Third Model was manufactured from 1884 to 1895. These revolvers operate in both DA and SA, so if yours does not hold in single action, something is wrong.

Because of the multitude of models and options on these late nineteenth century guns, pictures would eliminate the guessing game.