Old 38 any info?

[rodbilyeu]

My dad has an old break over S&W ser#933xx its in Nickel on top it said made in 1880 I believe lots of small print
gun is nice still shoots everything original one grip cracked
haveing problem getting pics from phone to hear any info would be appreciated

 

[TACC1]

Sir, pics would be nice.. Also, does the gun have a
visible hammer or is it concealed. Could be a Safety Hammerless
or a 38DA. The S/N probably would tell an informed person
which model it is. (I am not "that Person")
TACC1

 

[rodbilyeu]

has a hammer its double action you just pull the trigger and it fires still working on the pics he lives in another state I took pics on my c phone sent them to FB cant get them to hear

 

[Jim Watson]

That serial number on an exposed hammer double action is a
.38 Double Action Second Model made sometime between 1880 and 1884. (The 1880 on the gun is the latest patent, not the year built.)
They made 115,000 of these and over half a million total .38 DA 1st through 5th models so they are not real scarce and must be in really beautiful condition to be worth much money.

 

[DWalt]

I'll second that. There were 5 different models of the .38 DA (6 if you include the Perfected model) and there were a great many made. Therefore only those in top condition have any interest to collectors. They can be shot, but the small grips make shooting uncomfortable, and ammunition is somewhat difficult to find and is expensive.

 

[glowe]

has a hammer its double action you just pull the trigger and it fires still working on the pics he lives in another state I took pics on my c phone sent them to FB cant get them to hear

Try to get them to your computer and save them as bmp or jpeg and they should upload using the "Manage Attachments" button below the reply box. Make sure you are posting a standard reply and not a quick reply.

 

[CampingHam]

I need help also on old 38 Smith & Wesson CTG with Serial # 302240. There is no letter and stamp is same both places. It has the latest patent date of Dec. 1914. I still have not seen information in this range of numbers. Any help?

 

[DWalt]

I need help also on old 38 Smith & Wesson CTG with Serial # 302240. There is no letter and stamp is same both places. It has the latest patent date of Dec. 1914. I still have not seen information in this range of numbers. Any help?

Likely a pre-WWI Model 1905 Hand Ejector, Military and Police, 4th Change. You should post your questions about it in the Hand Ejector area of this forum, as it is not an antique. Are you sure that the barrel is not stamped "38 S&W Special CTG"? (CTG = Cartridge, it's not a model designation)

 

[CampingHam]

38 Smith & Wession Special CTG

You are correct on the stamping, but I thought 1914 before WW1 would be Antique. I am concerned about the load it would withstand. Thanks I'll move.

 

[glowe]

All Model 1905s are "modern", being manufactured after 1898, which is the cutoff for antiques. If you have an early Model 1905 Hand Ejector, and it is in good condition, it will be fine to shoot any standard 38 Special loads.

 

[andrewstorm]

first model hand ejectors were made 1898 thru 1902 some are antique,although many left the factory after 1899,for instance roy jinks says all top break ,44/45 are antique as the frames were made prior to 1899,even though they were not delivered untill after 1899.

 

[glowe]

first model hand ejectors were made 1898 thru 1902 some are antique,although many left the factory after 1899,for instance roy jinks says all top break ,44/45 are antique as the frames were made prior to 1899,even though they were not delivered untill after 1899.

38 Special M&Ps do not have antique status according to the BATF. They are not on the antiques list, but are in the ATF Publication 5300.11 C&R list, December 2007.

"Smith & Wesson, .38 Hand Ejector Military and Police, cal. .38, S/Ns 1 to 241703 (no letter)."

The first model was called Model of 1899, not 1898.