please help a newbie

[reagan]

My grandfather gave me this gun in 1972. It's been in our family for decades. If anyone could help identify it and give an approximation of its value, I'd be very appreciative.

The serial number is 102xxx. Pictures of the gun and box are attached. Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[DCWilson]

Welcome to the forum. I think that is a .38 Single Action, second model. These were produced from 1877-1891, and your serial number falls toward the end of the serial number range. I'd guess it was shipped about 1890, but only a factory letter ($50) would nail it down for you.

Nice that you have the box and a couple of old rounds. That bore brush looks large for a .38; I'm not sure that would have been with the gun in the first place.

I'll open with a guess of $300-350. The box is part of that. In new condition, a gun and box package would be a lot higher -- maybe approaching $1000 or even over that level. But I'm talking through my hat on that because I am not really familiar with some of these 19th century models.

 

[reagan]

Thanks for the info! Is there anything I can do to improve the condition of the gun? The picture doesn't do it justice (there's not rust on the end of the barrel, for example). However, the circular spot just above the trigger seems to stand out a lot.

Anyone else have a price range estimate?

 

[murphydog]

If you can post additional photos in good light (right side, top, bottom, closeups of any worn areas, outside of box) that would be helpful for a value guesstimate.

 

[rsv1mos]

Thanks for the info! Is there anything I can do to improve the condition of the gun? The picture doesn't do it justice (there's not rust on the end of the barrel, for example). However, the circular spot just above the trigger seems to stand out a lot.

Anyone else have a price range estimate?

Wipe it down with a bit of quality gun oil on a soft rag. Anything beyond that will reduce value and collectablity. After that wear white gloves when handling.

 

[shep854]

Would brass wool and appropriate anti-rust solvent be safe?

 

[McShooty]

Would brass wool and appropriate anti-rust solvent be safe?

Any abrasive material will remove some of the remnant original finish in addition to rust. The cylinder appears to be rather heavily pitted. It is difficult to get all of the rust out of deep pits. I would use a very fine-bristled nylon bush and scrub, scrub, scrub. How much you do with a gun like this depends upon your intent. It is not going to be a really valuable item no matter what, but a Grandpa gun is a fine thing to have, regardless of condition. If it were to be an heirloom and kept and enjoyed only in the family, then I wouldn't hesitate to use metal wool and gently scrub it up a bit, but that is just my opinion.

 

[shep854]

Any abrasive material will remove some of the remnant original finish in addition to rust. The cylinder appears to be rather heavily pitted. It is difficult to get all of the rust out of deep pits. I would use a very fine-bristled nylon bush and scrub, scrub, scrub. How much you do with a gun like this depends upon your intent. It is not going to be a really valuable item no matter what, but a Grandpa gun is a fine thing to have, regardless of condition. If it were to be an heirloom and kept and enjoyed only in the family, then I wouldn't hesitate to use metal wool and gently scrub it up a bit, but that is just my opinion.

Thanks for the information. Next question; what's the best way to "kill" the rust that's on the gun, especially down in those pits?

 

[glowe]

Iron oxide does not spread by itself. It needs initiators like moisture, acids, or salts from the skin. If you remove the scaled or loose rust that will do you a benefit, since scale is how moisture and salts stay trapped against the metal.

I have never had any pit rust spread if the gun is kept properly clean and oiled. Since this one is not nickeled, I would use a good quality synthetic oil and wipe it down periodically. You can also use a Renaissance Wax, but I prefer syn oil for non-nickeled guns. Synthetic oils actually penetrate the surface of the metal to help keep corrosion at bay.

 

[twaits]

I haven't ordered any of this yet but It has been recommended from very respected gun collectors I know:

Big 45 Frontier Metal Cleaner

 

[opoefc]

As David said, it's a .38 Single Action, 2nd model. If the box is original to the gun, the serial number will be penciled on the bottom of the box. The boxes for these older S&Ws are worth more than the gun, in many cases, as there are far fewer boxes around than the guns. The bore brush appears to be for a .45 cal. Model 1911 Colt auto, but will work OK in your gun - just takes a little more muscle to push it through. The above suggestions are all good for cleaning up the gun & stopping any rust. Being a family heirloom gun, collector value has no bearing on any decision as to how to preserve the gun for future descendants. If the grips are original to the gun, the serial number will be scratched or penciled on the back side of the right grip panel. Most blued guns in your serial range were shipped with plain wood grips, but not all. Ed.