Need help identifying some inherited old S&Ws please

[Devildog0231]

So i recently inherited a few pistols from my grandfather. Among them are two smith and wesson top breaking 5 shot revolvers, one much prettier than the other.

One of them has "38. S. & W. CTG" on the side. It is hammerless and has a squeeze safety on the back of the black plastic grip. Serial number is 23181x. I understand it to shoot .38 S&W, no .38 special? does anyone know how old this gun is, or maybe a window of how old? This gun is listed at attachment "S&W1" to this post.

The other of these guns is where i need the real help. Listed as attachment "S&W2" to this post. I have no idea the caliber of this gun, although its very similar to the first, im assuming at .38 S&W or some sort of .32? serial number 40893x.

Any info on either of these weapons would be greatly appreciated. This is my first post on the Forum by the way, however now that i own 2 S&Ws i will undoubtably be a frequent visitor.

Thanks.
-cox

 

[Devildog0231]

Check that gents, forgot to attach the picture of the second gun.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/197/sw2o.jpg/
theres a link to the second gun.
once again, thanks.
-cox

 

[cflier]

Hello Devildog 0231,
The first gun shown is a Smith & Wesson 38 Safety Hammerless 5th model shipped in early 1912 or late 1911. The 2nd revolver is a Smith & Wesson 38 Double Action probably shipped in the first few years of 1900. They both fire the 38 S&W cartridge not 38 special. The Govt. (BATF) considers them cutio and relics for purposes of selling and shipping accross state lines. They are not considered antiques.
Mark

 

[Devildog0231]

Thank you cflier.
When i recevied these guns I spent at least a good hour each doing weapons maintainance, and after some scrubbing and alot of clp i managed to get both of them looking and feeling pretty decent. Are these guns safe to fire? All the mechanisms seem to be intact and work fine, the barrels are smooth and rifling intact. Are there any usual or regular problems that i should be aware of before i start putting rounds down range?
Also, not that I intend to sell them, any idea of a value?
Thanks Gents,
-cox

 

[opoefc]

Both guns are probably safe to fire with standard .38 S&W rounds, in so far as their mechanical condition is concerned, however the interior parts are 100+ years old, especially things like the cylinder stop, small springs, etc. When these break, you're often dead in the water, as it's extremely difficult to find replacement parts. So it's always a guess as to how long they will function, before give way from old age. When that happens, they become wall hangers. Put them in a shadow box, with a picture of Grandpa, and hang 'em over the fireplace. Ed.

 

[DCWilson]

Value: the large frame breaktop revolvers can command high prices, but the market is less for .38 and .32 revolvers of this type. Your hammerless looks like it might be in pretty good shape; I think it might go for $150-200. The DA is a little rougher and would probably bring around $100-125. Sometimes guns like these can be found for under $100 in decent shape.

Others might give you different numbers, so if you average all your responses you'd get a pretty good indication of likely value. Remember that geography can affect prices. In some parts of the country these might be in demand, and elsewhere you couldn't give them away.