I have always thought this model was one of the most interesting of all the top-breaks. I enjoy shooting my examples and they are an important part of my collection of S&Ws to me.
As for barrel lengths, based on my data from when I did a Commentary on the 38 Perfected a few years back, the most uncommon barrel length was 5". Both 3.25" and 4" ended up about 35% of production each, while the 5" was only 5%, and the 6" barreled Perfecteds were around 25% from the data I have collected. I think this is a common spread for top-breaks, since buyers seem to have either wanted shorter barrels for pocket carry or long barrels for accuracy and holster carry. The 5" is normally the least popular barrel length.
This is an interesting revolver, probably the most exported of all top-break S&W models. They were particularly attractive to both South American and European markets. This is one of the of the reasons why we do not see large numbers for sale in the US.
The rarest examples of this model was a handful of 38 Perfected revolvers that were made without a thumb release. Even more interesting is the fact that they show up in the mid to late serial number range. Pictures are attached. Also, there were 3 patent date change stampings on this model. The earliest showed the last patent date was 1906, a later the stamp added the 1909 patent date, while the very last revolvers made added a hammer block safety patent date of 1914. Less than 2000 made at the end of production had the hammer safety block, giving this model a "1st Change" designation as noted in SCSW4. As with all early hand ejector models, the 1914 safety hammer block was a change designated with a new model or change designation, one that is deserved for the Perfected as well.
As for barrel lengths, based on my data from when I did a Commentary on the 38 Perfected a few years back, the most uncommon barrel length was 5". Both 3.25" and 4" ended up about 35% of production each, while the 5" was only 5%, and the 6" barreled Perfecteds were around 25% from the data I have collected. I think this is a common spread for top-breaks, since buyers seem to have either wanted shorter barrels for pocket carry or long barrels for accuracy and holster carry. The 5" is normally the least popular barrel length.
This is an interesting revolver, probably the most exported of all top-break S&W models. They were particularly attractive to both South American and European markets. This is one of the of the reasons why we do not see large numbers for sale in the US.
The rarest examples of this model was a handful of 38 Perfected revolvers that were made without a thumb release. Even more interesting is the fact that they show up in the mid to late serial number range. Pictures are attached. Also, there were 3 patent date change stampings on this model. The earliest showed the last patent date was 1906, a later the stamp added the 1909 patent date, while the very last revolvers made added a hammer block safety patent date of 1914. Less than 2000 made at the end of production had the hammer safety block, giving this model a "1st Change" designation as noted in SCSW4. As with all early hand ejector models, the 1914 safety hammer block was a change designated with a new model or change designation, one that is deserved for the Perfected as well.
