Photos of your antique S&W Model Top Breaks

[Poco]

Here's my only antique Smith. Looks a little worn but still locks up tight and shoots pretty good. In my opinion still makes a nice belly gun even today.

 

[Thuer]

Nice pic. Nice knive. Who is the maker?

 

[Poco]

Thanks for the response! The boot knife was made by a close friend who is very talented.

 

[WE0H]

Is that a 32 New Departure?

Mike

 

[Poco]

Is that a 32 New Departure?

Mike

To be honest, I don't know as I'm more of shooter than a collector. I've always called it a "lemon squeezer" and it's in 38.

 

[WE0H]

To be honest, I don't know as I'm more of shooter than a collector. I've always called it a "lemon squeezer" and it's in 38.

I think it would be called a 38 New Departure. Here is my 32 New Departure found in Kentucky last year:

Mike

 

[ersiii]

New Member's First Top-Break

Only reason I am posting this is because I didn't see another one like it in all 32 pages of this old thread! The 320 revolving rifle was similar but this is a 2nd Model American with factory fitted notches on the butt and back of grip frame for a shoulder stock.
I am waiting for S&W letter but per David C. this is one of only 604 shipped from factory this way. Too bad it has seen some abuse and bad gunsmithing in the past...still waiting for Mr. C's opinion on restoration but it was exciting for me to research the gun and find those notches!

 

[william1]

S&W single action model 1 1/2 or 2

Hello to any & all;
I'm a new member and not really a collector. I signed up to get more information about an antique pistol passed down to me from my grandfather. I've learned a lot already from pictures and some posts. My pistol is almost exactly like the one in this photo, except that the forward bottom of the handle does not flair out like this one. It is simply rounded off. All else appears to be the same, although virtually all the nickel plating is gone (there are a few small patches still visible here and there). I have seen valuations online that range from $200 to $1500. My question is: what's this pistol worth to a collector? All parts work smoothly, there are no loose or missing screws that I can see. Inside the barrel is very dirty, but you can see rifling grooves. The last patent date on the barrel is 1880 and the serial number on the bottom of the handle is 7850(x). Any information would be appreciated. Thanks!
William1

 

[WE0H]

Hi William,
Welcome to the forum Can you post some pictures so we can see what you have?

Mike

 

[Hayfield123]

Only recently started collecting pistols, and it will be a poor man's collection, but, I do have this .32 Double Action,4th Model

 

[monet61]

Heres my first model .32.

 

[Modelof1891]

Top Break .38 SA 3rd Model of 1891 .38 S&W

This .38 SA 3rd model is stamped "3rd Model" on the side plate.

#13063 was shipped to E.K. Tryon Co. of Philadelphia, PA on Nov. 30, 1892, with a 4 inch barrel, nickel finish and checkered black rubber grips.

Makes me wonder if it was a sample gun for the Tryon Company with the markings on the side plate.

*******Does anyone have an opinion?*******

 

[H. M. Pope]

My opinion is that I don't think S&W knew it as a 3rd. model back in 1892. But I may be wrong on that.
Regards
H. M. Pope

 

[Thuer]

This is a funny one. Take a good look.

 

[10/22]

This is a funny one. Take a good look.

Experimental trigger guard that S&W rejected at the last minute. Actually it looks like a complete gun they rejected.
10/22.

 

[10/22]

My opinion is that I don't think S&W knew it as a 3rd. model back in 1892. But I may be wrong on that.
Regards
H. M. Pope

Seems like they would name it as everyone else does, not as 3rd Model, but as New Model #3.
10/22.

 

[H. M. Pope]

But it's not a New Model # 3 so why would they call it that ?.
In fact it's not even an Old Model # 3.
An Old or a New Model # 3 is a much larger frame revolver. It's really a Model of 1891 but not sure if S&W called it a 3rd Model in 1892 ?.
Regards
H. M. Pope

 

[10/22]

But it's not a New Model # 3 so why would they call it that ?.
In fact it's not even an Old Model # 3.
An Old or a New Model # 3 is a much larger frame revolver. It's really a Model of 1891 but not sure if S&W called it a 3rd Model in 1892 ?.
Regards
H. M. Pope

Yeah, I'm sorry about that, I must have been asleep and didn't even read all the post. You are right of course.
10/22.

 

[cflier]

First through 5th model is a modern classification scheme made up by collectors in the last 40 years to differentiate technical changes in the models. Smith & Wesson never called it a 3rd model when it was in production.
Mark

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

I started my collection with my late uncles .38 top break, a friend of mine gave me the Smith metal sign of the top breaks and I decided I NEEDED one of each, it took a couple years but I got them.

second down is a 1891