Perfected Model

[ArmyTanker]

Hello, I acquired this pistol several years ago from a friend of my mother. I don't really have a use for it and was considering selling it for my kids college fund. I've cleaned it up a bit and it appears original with some holster wear on the end of the barrel. the serial number is 40694 with a 4 inch barrel. I'd appreciate your wisdom and opinions on this firearm. Thank you!

 

[merl67]

I would think that one would bring $350-400 maybe a bit more, or less depending on location. I have not bought one in a while so my estimate might be off.

 

[S&WsRsweet]

No expert here but you will probably get as good a price from a forum member .Post it here for sale .Goid luck and welcome to the forum.

 

[moosedog]

Most of them came in blue, so the nickel would add some value to it. Interesting revolvers with two lock systems.

 

[mnrivrat]

A nice clean looking gun. The Perfected model used the cylinder latch of the Hand Ejector as well as the standard top break system. This gives a secure double lock up system. They would not be considered Antique as they were built post 1899. Caliber is .38 S&W (not special). Modern ammunition is available and loaded to pressure ranges that can be used in this gun as long as the gun is in good condition.

If the gun is in mechanically nice condition as is the finish, then the gun would be in the collector class rather than simply a shooter. I would then also agree with merl67 that its value is in the $350 to $400 range and perhaps slightly above.

 

[Redcoat3340]

I picked up a blued one within the past year and paid $340 for it. If I didn't have that I'd be over yours like a cold sweat.

And you might pick up a box of bullets (38S&W NOT 38 special) and try it out. It's a fun gun to shoot, no recoil to speak of, and it certainly draws interest at the range.

(And I gotta admit...I'm tempted, sorely tempted.)

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. That revolver is a $400 to $500 gun all day at auction. It is not possible to determine percent finish remaining with pictures, but as a guess, I see over 95% nickel, probably higher. Our best resource claims a plated 38 Perfected is worth $600 in 95% (Excellent) condition.

What you have going here is high condition, an uncommon gun to find for sale, and a top-break that will easily handle modern 38 S&W ammunition. Negatives are that demand is not high, it is classified as a modern firearm by the BATF, and is not a popular caliber.

With a little elbow grease that gun would polish up to look brand new and at auction could bring top dollar before seller's premium. Personally, I would suspect between $500 and $600 is reasonable to expect.

The major problem with this style gun is that, while many people are familiar with how a top-break opens, almost no one is familiar with how the Perfected revolver opens and I have seen many that have a bent quill from trying to force the gun open by releasing only the top latch. I picked up one that was in pristine condition with that problem a couple years ago and fortunately was able to re-align the cylinder quill so the gun function perfectly again. Paid $450 for that one at auction with auctioneer disclosure that it was a parts gun only. Had several bidders interested, so the value is solid for this model. Here is my 1911 shipped gun all cleaned up.

 

[opoefc]

ArmyTanker, Welcome to the Forum. Depending on the laws in your state or city, plus federal rules be sure any sale or transfer goes through the books of licensed firearms dealer to a legally authorized buyer, to avoid any violation of the law and personal liability. Ed.

 

[opoefc]

ArmyTanker, Welcome to the Forum. Depending on the laws in your state or city, plus federal rules, be sure any sale or transfer goes through the books of licensed firearms dealer to a legally authorized buyer, to avoid any violation of the law and personal liability. Ed.

 

[opoefc]

ArmyTanker, Welcome to the Forum. Depending on the laws in your state or city, plus federal rules, be sure any sale or transfer, goes through the books of licensed firearms dealer to a legally authorized buyer, to avoid any violation of the law or personal liability. Ed.

 

[gordonrick]

Nice! Mine is a little older and not in nearly as good of condition. Mine also suffered from the apparent use of corrosive ammunition and poor maintenance. Hopefully yours is in better shape.

I would agree that they are fun to shoot, but having "mature vision", I hate the tiny little rear sight notch and razor-thin front sight blade.

 

[whooziss]

Hello, I was given this pistol several years ago from a friend of my grandmother. I don't really have a use for it and was considering selling it for my kids college fund. I've cleaned it up a bit and it appears original with some holster wear on the end of the barrel. the serial number is 40694 with a 4 inch barrel. I'd appreciate your wisdom and opinions on this firearm. Thank you!

I have a C&R license in a non-problematic state and might be interested in this piece. Any interest on your part? Is it ok to discuss this here in this forum (I'm a fairly new member).

 

[Charleenan]

I'm a buyer

 

[Qmark]

Nice revolver if it's as good as the picture shows it. Politely a bit of constructive criticism. When a non collector says cleaned it up a bit, it sends red flags to a collector. How deep was it cleaned and why would be the first thing I'd want to know if I were interested.

About ten years ago in a local gun shop. A man came in wanting to sell two old single action Colt revolvers. The non collector not knowing better thought he added value by wire brushing both of them. As I walked away from the counter I overheard him say to the shop's owner "can't you paint them".

 

[merl67]

I have a C&R license in a non-problematic state and might be interested in this piece. Any interest on your part? Is it ok to discuss this here in this forum (I'm a fairly new member).

Generally not allowed...make offers by PM

 

[porschelover86$]

Hello, I was given this pistol several years ago from a friend of my grandmother. I don't really have a use for it and was considering selling it for my kids college fund. I've cleaned it up a bit and it appears original with some holster wear on the end of the barrel. the serial number is 40694 with a 4 inch barrel. I'd appreciate your wisdom and opinions on this firearm. Thank you!

If you are selling this for your kid's college fund and 350-500$ is the high value, in my opinion, the gun is worth more by keeping it.
Nickled, .38 was probably carried as a belly gun, or maybe a hooker had it in her garter, or gamblers cross draw.
You have its history in your hands each time you hold it. To me, that is worth more.

 

[gunbarrel]

OPOEFC,

O.K., we get it, we get it!

 

[ArmyTanker]

Sorry for the delay I've been quite busy with work. By saying "cleaned up" I simply meant that I used a little oil and polished it lightly with Flitz. I'm an Army veteran and police officer. I know not to get too crazy with this stuff! I'm going to attach more photos I took today. The action works flawlessly. I acquired this pistol from a friend of my mothers. She said it was her grandfather's gun when he was a Pinkerton agent. If someone wants to send me an offer I'd love to hear it. I'll probably post it in the classifieds as well, I'd like to give you guys first dibs.

 

[ArmyTanker]

A couple more.

 

[BMur]

Hey Army!
Destroyer Navy Vet here. Nice gun. Can see case color on the hammer as well. Just a heads up on value. I can see from the other very nice more common 3 1/4" barrelled blued version that is photo'd That yours has the more scarce 4" barrel length. I have found with many moons of collecting that the longer the barrel on the old top breaks the more $$ they fetch. Maybe not a huge difference but definitely more than the most common 3 1/4" barrel. collectors lacking that length in their collection will compete for it to fill that hole. In fact you've already had nibbles on this site and that barrel length most definitely played a part! It would conservatively rate as an uncommon barrel length. The 5 inch barrel would rate at least scarce and anything longer than that goes way up in value!!!
GO NAVY!!