Model 1891

[Rocket Pilot]

After enjoying everyone's informative posts, and photos, I thought it time for me to share something.

I acquired this top break a few years back. It fit well with my horde of S&W revolvers, and it surprised me at how tight the action and lockwork are, considering the wear on the exterior. I put a handful of .38 S&W rounds through it, and I think it will shoot tighter than I am able with the tiny sights!

From what I have gathered from the members posts, the grips on this revolver were a target style, and it makes me think that there may have once been a single shot barrel that went with this. Had I known about the s.s. barrels at the time I had acquired this, I would have asked more questions.

Nice little revolver. All numbered parts match, #134XX. Anyone have a guess at a year?

 

[H Richard]

I'd say 1877 as a 38 Single action. Too bad any single shot barrel wasn't included with it, if it had originally been with it.

 

[rct269]

This is but one piece of the puzzle, but you have to start somewhere. #22530 started life as a 6" fixed sight revolver, was fit with adjustable sights (Lyman Ivory Slide actually) and shipped as a target gun June 7, 1910.

Now, aside from the fact they didn't ship in serial order, if you get another number below yours you're ready for some guessing games some refer to as "fun for the feeble minded". If you actually care when it was shipped, a letter will almost certainly tell you.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[rct269]

OOPS!!

I'd say 1877 as a 38 Single action. Too bad any single shot barrel wasn't included with it, if it had originally been with it.

I'm going to hazard a guess H Richard meant to say 1897 instead of 1877. If not, then---------------------------------------????????

Ralph Tremaine

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! You have a .38 Single Action model of 1891. These were cataloged from 1891 to 1911 so it probably shipped (sold) no later than the mid-point of this time frame, so about 1900. A letter of authenticity would be needed for a definite answer:

http://www.swhistoricalfoundation.com/swhf_letter.pdf

It would also tell you if it shipped with a spare barrel. These are uncommon in decent condition; I think many went overseas and surviving examples tend to be well-used. Enjoy!

 

[Hang-Fire Hank]

CLOSE TO YOURS'

Rocket:
My 113xx lettered to 1893. I have the same 6" barrel, but all parts nickled.

hm

 

[Rocket Pilot]

I thank you folks for the replies. I should have added that this is marked 1891 in the rib, and is a five inch barrel.

I took it for granted when I found this, that like all my other old Smith's, that it was as common as jackrabbits. It wasn't until I my curiosity got me checking here, that I realized that it is sort of an oddity. Kind of cool also.

Again, thanks for passing along the dope.

 

[glowe]

Actually, it is often named 38 Single Action, 3rd Model, following the first two models which were spur trigger guns. Target stocks were available and offered in S&W catalogs so could have just been personal preference. I have some early 38 Perfected revolvers that left the factory with target stocks, but were not target revolvers. Black rubber target sights were $0.75 in the 1900 catalog.

 

[mmaher94087]

Since I don't see a serial number on the front strap of the frame, I will venture that your revolver started life as a revolver and "MAY" have had a single shot barrel but I seriously doubt that. It is what would be referred to as a 'combination' gun if it had the S/S barrel but it would have the SN on the front strap. I believe the front sight has been modified by a previous owner but it is still a nice scarce (in the U.S.) revolver. As stated above; the target stocks were optional.. for a price.

 

[mmaher94087]

I meant to say in my last post that the barrel pivot pin is not installed correctly. Loosen the barrel hinge screw a few turns and lightly tap the screw head which will move the pin away from the frame hinge on the right side. Align the 'witness' marks on the pin with the mark on the frame and tap the pin back in flush. Tighten the screw and be done with it.

 

[Rocket Pilot]

Thanks for the tip on the hinge pin.

M.J.

 

[BMur]

I'm looking at photo number 4 (last photo) of the inside grip strap in relation to the grips fit. Sure looks like a "perfect" fit to me. Something that you normally only find from the factory.
Umm....Say, In the same photo I'm seeing a very flat muzzle crown? Difficult to see from that angle. Can you please provide an additional photo of the barrel muzzle crown?
I don't know about the combo barrel set? but my target 38 has the serial numbers visible on that inside strap. So, My opinion, grips original, no extra barrel but a factory letter would be worth the money I'd say as long as that barrel is the original length?? The more I look at the barrel tip? The more I'm seeing that site pin being too far back? Cut barrel?

 

[glowe]

I'm looking at photo number 4 (last photo) of the inside grip strap in relation to the grips fit. Sure looks like a "perfect" fit to me. Something that you normally only find from the factory . . .

I probably have over a dozen sets of these target stocks and hardly any of them have been touched from the mold. The only visible fit between metal and hard rubber is the front strap. The rest of the frame is covered by the stocks, so all seem to have a perfect fit whether original to the gun of not.

This is one of my favorite S&Ws and one that I reported on a few years back when we had Expert Commentaries. Those have all be taken down, so if anyone is interested, I am attaching that commentary on the 38 Single Action, 3rd Model for anyone who is interested. During my research, I learned some interesting information about this model and perhaps why is is uncommon to find.

 

[Rocket Pilot]

Gary,

That was an interesting read. Outside of this forum, I had found very little about this revolver, and now I understand why.

I will need to take a few more photos for this group in order to answer some questions. The Pat. Dates and Model of 91 roll stamp is centered on the barrel rib, and the barrel is 5". Serial number is on the bottom of the grip frame. I do not believe the barrel has been cut, but do agree that the front sight profile is not what I have seen in photos of similar revolvers.

 

[glowe]

Pinned front sights on many top-break revolvers were altered over the years. Almost all non-target guns had a simple half-circle front sight, but could easily be removed and reshaped to whatever the owner thought would work for them. Target guns usually had the type of front sights installed as shown in the Commentary S&W catalog page. My 38 SA, 3rd was a lettered factory target gun, which was pretty uncommon. I acquired an in-the-white 38-44 Target barrel to make up a combination set. The front sight on my 5" Target is a Lyman.

If the barrel address is centered on the top rib, you do not have a cut barrel. 5" was one standard barrel length offered, along with 3 1/4", 4", and 6" available as well.