Hey there,I have a chance to buy this perfected. 38 for $400.00 not real familiar with these I know they were the last of the top breaks. I know the seller he sent these pics of one side of it looks good. But could be a refinish? No s&w logo on frame in pic. I would shoot it once and put in safe to sit after. I just don't know on value I don't want to get taken for a ride on it cause I know "there ain't no candy in the van" as they say. Any info and ball park price would help. Thanks guys....
Perfected .38
- Thread starter jaimiemc
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The S&W monogram should be stamped on the frame's left side. Not seeing one leads me to believe it may be a refinish. The 4th ed. of the Standard Catalog list the Perfected in Good condition valued at 225 and in Very Good condition at 285. It then jumps to 450 for Fine. Here we go again, how badly do you want it? If it has a great bore and in good mechanical condition it may be worth the 400 to you. While the next guy, a serious collector, won't touch it.
There should be a S&W monogram stamped on the left side of the frame. Not seeing one leads me to believe it has been refinished at some time or another. The Standard Catalog of Smiths, 4th ed., sets a value for a Perfected Model at 225 for Good condition and 285 for Very Good condition. It then jumps to 450 for Fine condition. If that particular revolver has a good bore and is overall good mechanically, it may be worth what he's asking. How badly do you want it? Another serious collector, because of the possible refinishing, may just pass on it. If the monogram were there I wouldn't hesitate to pick it up.
Hold the phone! Looking at stock pictures on Google the emblem is on right side. I will look at it tomorrow might still be a good one to hang on too? The screw slots and barrel engraving looks good in pic so tomorrow will tell....
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mmaher94087
Member
I'll venture that it has the original finish; and quite nice at that. To be sure check for numbers under the hard rubber stocks that would indicate a factory refinish or return for mechanical adjustment. Two photos are really not enough to go by but I've picked up similar condition (original finish) revolvers because the original buyer passed and was too afraid to purchase.
Definitely a modern refinish.
WaywardSon
Member
The Perfected model is an interesting gun and never was made in great quantity. I have sold two of them on Gunbroker (actually the same gun twice
...it was a nice original gun and I don't think brought $400 either time.
And yes...that one appears to have been refinished.
...it was a nice original gun and I don't think brought $400 either time.And yes...that one appears to have been refinished.
Well after looking at it. it appears to be refinished very well done but not original. The slightest rounding of top edges gives it away and the color a blue/grey Belgian rust blue not the hot salt black s&w blue. Also faint nickel on inside center of recoil shield so original nickel finish. I will pass on This one. But there are other things to buy.
LedFowl
Member
I suspect that during World War 1 the logo wasn't put anywhere on these and other S&W top breaks. I could be wrong, but I've seen a number of these offered on Gunbroker with no logo and many didn't look to have been refinished. I know I have read somewhere that other S&W top break models didn't have logos during that war.
EDIT: Of course, I could be completely and utterly mistaken.
EDIT: Of course, I could be completely and utterly mistaken.
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mmaher94087
Member
"Well after looking at it. it appears to be refinished very well done but not original." Bummer, I was hoping that it was original. It is still a nice example of a not-to-commonly found revolver. There were 59,000+ produced but it seems that not too many stayed in the U.S.
LedFowl
Member
I did a search for these earlier on Gunbroker. I found three. One had the S&W logo on the left side under the cylinder release (like mine, below), one had it on the RIGHT side and one had no logo at all.
Mine has been refinished. It was made about 1912.
Mine has been refinished. It was made about 1912.
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