Perfected Model 38 DA

[edgarspencer]

I didn't go looking for this gun, and, in fact, I had never seen one before other than in books. A friend recently bought several nice Top Breaks at the Amoskeag auction, and offered this gun to me. It is a late production gun, with factory service *. The date, visible on the left frame side is 4-25. I think it's in terrific condition, and I was delighted it was offered to me.

 

[DWalt]

You are fortunate. There were relatively few made, and I have understood that most were exported, but I don't know the truth of that story. I remember ever seeing just one of them.

 

[damienph]

I find that model very interesting. I have never seen one except in pictures.
Thanks for posting pics of yours!

 

[ol777gunnerz]

info

The star on the butt & date on the frame indicate a factory refinish, which were top notch. Nice rare revolver.

 

[glowe]

Actually. there were 59,400 made, but you don't see many because it has been reported that many were exported to Europe and South America. Since you say you have a late Perfected, I did a commentary on changes made to late manufactured 38 Perfected revolvers that you might be interested in reading.

Forgot to ask what is last patent date on the barrel, 1909 or 1914?

 

[Goony]

You just don't see Perfecteds very often. In all my years of collecting, I've only picked up one of them, which came to me just a few years back on the cheap out of an estate. Mine's pretty rough. Although it doesn't look to have been carried or shot very much, it evidently was neglectfully stored. 5" barrel, serial number 23XX.

In higher grades, these can fetch pretty substantial prices, and were doing so even as long as a decade ago. See: Smith & Wesson Perfected Revolver 38 S&W | Rock Island Auction

 

[RWJ]

I have one that Like Goony's, was poorly stored, with a 555xx serial that shipped in 11/17. I'd guess that there had been some black powder rounds fired through it in its lifetime, judging by the bore.


added: no hammer block, 1909 date on bbl.

 

[edgarspencer]

The star on the butt & date on the frame indicate a factory refinish, which were top notch. Nice rare revolver.

Yes, I was aware of the significance of the 'star', and absolutely agree that the quality of the refinish is top notch. The case hardening colors on the trigger and hammer are very vivid, and there is no indication on the recoil plate of it having been fired since it was refinished in 1926 (not 1925, as I originally posted).

Actually. there were 59,400 made, but you don't see many because it has been reported that many were exported to Europe and South America. Since you say you have a late Perfected, I did a commentary on changes made to late manufactured 38 Perfected revolvers that you might be interested in reading.

Forgot to ask what is last patent date on the barrel, 1909 or 1914?

Gary, I found that article very interesting, especially as it pertains to the hammer block, which is absent in this gun. The last patent date is 1909.

Thank you, all, for your comments. This is a very interesting gun, and has the appearance of being the 'love child' between my New Model Number Three, and my I frame kit gun.

 

[glowe]

. . . This is a very interesting gun, and has the appearance of being the 'love child' between my New Model Number Three, and my I frame kit gun.

Actually it is a marriage of the barrel assembly from a "D" frame 38 Double Action top-break model and the modified frame from a Model 1903 I frame.

 

[Books]

Most of the Perfecteds that I have encountered are in excellent condition.

My interpretation of their origin is that they were intended as police duty weapons. But apparently were not used as such.

Books

 

[Dosgatos]

Most of the Perfecteds that I have encountered are in excellent condition.

My interpretation of their origin is that they were intended as police duty weapons. But apparently were not used as such.

Books

Actually, there is a blue one with a police rack number in a current auction, and I own the nickel gun shown here.

 

[glowe]

Just for fun, here are a couple 38 Perfected revolvers that can easily fall below the radar. They do not have a side-latch. One would think it is a 38 DA until you look at the knuckle behind the hammer, showing it is a Model 1903 frame. As I noted in the Commentary that I posted earlier, South American documents indicate that they ordered 1,000 of these from the factory. They rarely found for sale, having found only two from around 1913 ship date and yes you could order target stocks with this model.

 

[Books]

My collection is (was) focused on Antique top-breaks. But little by little the 20th century specimens have creeped in.

Books

 

[4K2022]

Just for fun, ,,,,, They rarely found for sale, having found only two from around 1913 ship date and yes you could order target stocks with this model.

Now I'm obsessed with the screwdriver ,, you wouldn't have one of those laying in your gun room ,, would you

 

[Goony]

A period advertisement.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Now I'm obsessed with the screwdriver ,, you wouldn't have one of those laying in your gun room ,, would you

Here is one of mine. The last time one sold, it went for over $3000.00. I've been collecting for forty years and have only seen, or owned 10.

 

[edgarspencer]

Just for fun, here are a couple 38 Perfected revolvers that can easily fall below the radar. They do not have a side-latch. One would think it is a 38 DA until you look at the knuckle behind the hammer, showing it is a Model 1903 frame. As I noted in the Commentary that I posted earlier, South American documents indicate that they ordered 1,000 of these from the factory. They rarely found for sale, having found only two from around 1913 ship date and yes you could order target stocks with this model.

The integral trigger guard too.


Ya'll have gone and done it now. I need to find a nickel plated one too.