just bought a 38 3rd model pictures inside

[TheGrinch]

well today i bought a real beat up top break 38 S&W 3rd model. im having the hardest time disassembling it. tried watching a video on taking an iver johnshon top break very similar apart, and just cant do it. will post up pics of it once i give it a thorough clean.UPDATE: I figured it out lol. so now here is my really beat up smith.

 

[glowe]

Check on ebay or Amazon for "Antique Firearms Assembly/Disassembly" by David Chicoine for assistance. As you take the revolver apart, make sure to verify that the barrel, frame, cylinder, stocks, and top latch are all matching serial numbered.

 

[TheGrinch]

thanks ill check it out. and yeah, this revolver has all matching numbers

 

[TheGrinch]

its ugly as sin, but thats what I love about it. was a used gun that someone carried. would like to find a little leather holster for it

 

[glowe]

Pictures make a big difference in identfying a particular revolver model. S&W made a 38 Single Action, Third Model and a 38 Double Action, Third Model. The pictures clearly identify yours as a double action revolver. Third Models are all antiques, made from 1884 to 1895.

As I am thinking about disassembly, I might be able to help. The first non-apparent disassembly is taking off the cylinder. This is held in place by a small lug under the barrel latch. If you lift and hold up the latch, you can unscrew the threaded cylinder by pulling back on the cylinder and turning as you would to remove a screw. The other difficult task is to remove the trigger guard. If you place the EMPTY revolver on a hard surface muzzle down (cushion the muzzle) and take both thumbs to push down on the back of the trigger guard, it should snap out of the frame. Watch for a trigger spring, as it is only held in place by the guard. After that, it should not be too difficult to remove the rest of the parts.

If I am disassembling an unfamiliar revolver, I always use my cell phone or digital camera to take lots of pictures, so I know how to put everything back together again.

 

[tlay]

If you do decide to remove the trigger guard, good luck getting the trigger return spring back in. I have had some that went back together with one try and others with many trys including bad words. I have found that if you put the spring in a certain way it helps. The spring when viewed from the side is more curved on one end. Put that end up and the more flat end on top of the trigger. Gently lay the trigger guard over the spring. Now compress the guard with your hand. If you mount the gun in a padded vise you can use a hammer handle to compress the guard towards the muzzle while pushing down and it will pop back into place. Good luck!

 

[brazosdave]

This is the holster I did up for my S & W .38. Works for the double actions just as well

 

[brazosdave]

The Chicione book is the best one i found for working on mine. They are still tricky buggers!

 

[TheGrinch]

This is the holster I did up for my S & W .38. Works for the double actions just as well

Love that holster. Very classy. Now I just have to find ammo

Also thanks for the the helpful info guys. I know I don't post much, mainly just stalk lol but all the info you guys provide a very helpful. More than most forums. Greatly appreciate it

 

[glowe]

. . . all the info you guys provide a very helpful. More than most forums.

Wait a minute!?!?!?! more helpful than MOST Forums?????

 

[TheGrinch]

Lol saying that because I haven't been to all of them haha