Jim G - 38 SA Top Break

[Jim G]

I have a SA, top break, 5 shot, .38 s&w cal, 4" barrel, frame smaller than the .44 cal pistols, has a trigger guard with regular trigger (not spur trigger), bird's head grip of black rubber (plastic?), nickle plated S&W revolver. Just trying to find out what model it is or what it is called. It is in fairly decent mechanical shape with plenty of nickle finish plus plenty of scratches and dings and does shoot as I have shot it just to determine if it would. Does have one hitch in its giddyup as it sticks frequently when rotating the cylinder (at the same one position on the cylider star) when operating the single action. Works fine as a four shot or if one holds it on an angle when working the action it will go all five.

Anyone have any ideas on what is causing this? I cannot find anything on the star or hand but then I have old eyes.

This is my first post so my appologies if I am doing anything I should not.

Regards to all,

Jim G

 

[alaskavett]

Welcome Jim. Can you post photos? I suspect the internals are covered in crud and grime and too much dried oil for it to work correctly. Kyle

 

[Jim G]

S&W breaktop

Thanks, I'll get some pictures. I have cleaned the star and hand pretty well without getting too rough on the old gun. Any idea what it is from the description? Baby Russian, 2nd model, etc?

 

[alaskavett]

Jim, without photos your description is too vauge for me to guess at it. Can you also post a partial serial number. Does it have a exposed hammer or is it a lemon squeezer? Kyle

 

[Göring's S&W]

Since its top break, 38 S&W, without a spur trigger but has single action function - I bet its a S&W 38 DA "double action". If there is no hammer, then its a 38 New Departure aka Safety hammerless. I doubt that it is, because most people would comment about the safety mechanism, if it had that.

I suppose, if the OP is lucky, it could be a 38 perfected model but those are pretty uncommon.

"Baby Russians" and 38 SA "2nd models" (that you reference) both have spur triggers WITHOUT a trigger guard but are the same caliber.

In the above photo a 38 DA is on the left while a 38 SA 1st model aka New model 2 aka Baby Russian is on the left. Center is a 1 1/2 centerfire 32 S&W and bottom is a 1st model 3rd issue.

 

[Jim Watson]

If it is a single action .38 with a trigger guard, is that not an 1891?

 

[Jim G]

.38 S&W, SA, Breaktop, Birds head, with triggerguard

It is a single action, only, with trigger guard in .38 S&W, break top. Looks just like the blued one posted above but that is a DA as I can tell from the position of the trigger. If I can figure out how to up load a photo I will. Serial # is 12xx.

Sorry I am not more functional yet on this site but I had trouble even finding my post from yesterday (first post).

Thanks guys,

Jim

 

[Modelof1891]

.38 5 shot SA with trigger guard

I think you are talking about the model of 1891 or the 3rd Model .38 SA with standard grips. The early numbers that had short barrels did not have the "modelof91" stamped on the top of the barrel.

 

[Jim G]

Modelof91

The above posted photo is the absolute twin of my gun. I do not see any "Modelof91" anywhere on mine but with its low serial # (12xx) it may be the predecessor of which you are speaking. Mine is even in pretty much the same condition as your photo with nickle plating etc. I assume it was a black powder gun? Any comments about if it should be fired or not? I have fired it with no apparent problems.

Thanks again,

Jim

 

[1891SingleShot]

Jim,

The predecessor to the 'Model of '91', also known as the .38 Single Action Third Model, was the .38 Single Action Second Model. The Second Model did not have a trigger guard, so your pistol is an early Third Model, which would not have the 'Model of '91' on the barrel rib.

Randy

 

[Jim G]

S&W .38 SA model 3

Alaskavett,

Here is a photo if I can get it to upload.

Regards,

Jim

 

[DWalt]

Not that it helps solve the cylinder sticking problem, but I had an S&W Model 28 in .357 that did that. It only stuck at one chamber. I tore it completely apart (except for the rear sight), thoroughly cleaned every part, inspected every part for any type of damage, lubed and reassembled it - and it still stuck, as though I had done nothing. Then one day, it started working OK again. I have no explanation.

 

[Jim G]

For Alaskavett

Alaskavett,

This is my second attempt to post a photo of the .38S&W SA model 3. Don't know where the first one went. I am using the "attachment" option and then pressing the upload button. Don't know what else to do but I don't see any indication that this reply has an attachment??

Jim G

I see, it was on the 2nd page!!! Ah, senility is so much fun.