New to Me: Safety Hammerless Nickel 5th Model - w/Pictures

[AR_Black]

Finally joined the "Antique Club". Just picked this Top Break up at a local gun show. Probably paid too much, possibly full retail. But I didn't have one of these and have wanted a nice one for a long time. I'm a dealer, but am not open to the public so I don't hardly get any used guns coming in on trade. I think I did pretty good on this and am satisfied.

Here is what I THINK I have….. any comments or criticisms are welcome -

.38 S&W Safety Hammerless "New Departure" a.k.a. "Lemon Squeezer"
Fifth Model (1907-1940)

s/n 328378 should put this one around 1913.
3-1/4 inch barrel
T-Type barrel latch with two knurled side knobs
Forged front sight integral to barrel
Nickel Finish
Grips are excellent.
Action is good.
Lockup is tight.
Barrel latch is tight.


The dealer I bought this from had another one very similar, but said that one was not for sale because he carries it. He said this one has had some internal work done by his gunsmith, I'm assuming new springs because it works great. He also would not claim if the gun was refinished or if it was original. Of course it is refinished --> Nothing over 100 years would look this good unless it was in a museum from the beginning.

IMO, this has been refinished at some time, but with a fairly decent job. There are NO markings on the right side of the barrel (as per the SCSW, 1996 edition). Unless it was buffed out before replanting, probably was never on there.

Left side of barrel has caliber marking, somewhat obscured or faded. Probably our first clue to the refinish.

Top of barrel has single line address, pretty clear.

I narrowed down the year by searching the forum (THANKS GUYS!), and found several with nearby serial numbers. I know they were not shipped from the factory in s/n sequence, but I figure 1913 is pretty close. I currently have no intention of sending off for a letter.

I did shoot one round on the way home from the show at one of my favorite "country turn-outs" and hunting areas. .38 S&W is not that loud, but I would still want to wear hearing protection if shooting more than a few rounds. I do plan to shoot this one a little bit and just keep around for my collection.

I know the caliber is .38 S&W….. NOT .38 Special.
And I know this is not really an antique per BATF, but it fits into the Antique section of the forum.

OK guys, please correct me where I'm wrong on this revolver.
Thanks, John

And now the pictures:

 

[cbjordan76]

Nice looking gun. I'd definitely say refinished. The trigger and guard should be blued. They are fun to shoot and you get some funny looks sometimes when you take one to the range. . Enjoy it!

 

[mmaher94087]

Yes, refinish. May not be the most potent round available today but I still wouldn't want to be on the receiving end. The trigger should be case colored; the guard and 'T' latch were blue regardless of frame/barrel finish.

 

[glowe]

Overall, a nice re-nickel, except as noted above. I do not understand why so many refinishers take the sideplate off to polish. It almost assures rounded edges. A factory original is finished with the sideplate on the frame and the results are so good that the seam around the sideplate is almost invisible. That revolver would have shipped around 1910.

 

[shouldazagged]

Refinished or not it's a pretty little thing,, which I'd love to own.

 

[Geo. T.]

The only thing better than the revolver are your pictures!

Very Nice!

 

[AR_Black]

Stopped by the gun club this afternoon.

Shot 25 rounds of Magtech current MFG ammo.
And two rounds of -OLD- Remington green & yellow box.

The Remington had noticably more recoil than the Magtech.

And the trigger is very good. Action is very good. Hit 4-inch plates at 10 yards consistently. Not a bullseye gun, but probably top-of-the-line back when it was made. Fun and easy to shoot too. Glad I got it.

Thanks everyone for your comments and pointers. Learning more here every time I visit

 

[H Richard]

It's too bad the re-finisher buffed it so much, as the finish applied is very good. I wouldn't mind having that one myself.