Questions on an old S&W DA 38

[Old No7]

Hello all:

For a few years, dare I say I collected some nice (but inexpensive at the time) H&R Top Breaks to go with my replica S&W No. 3 Schofield top break. With this one added, I've moved up from the base H&Rs to the better quality S&Ws.

Here are some pictures of #686XX, which I have identified as a 2nd Model S&W No.2 -- due to it having 2 pins in the frame (not 3), and the shape of the trigger and trigger guard.

Q1: Did I ID this model correctly?

Q2: I dated this as between 1880 and 1884, as I've read that #s 4,001 to 199,000 were made those years -- does this make it an 1881 vintage? (2nd year)

I will ask some questions about the finish and its condition on a reply to this post, so I can post some more pix there.

Thanks!

Old No7

 

[Old No7]

Part 2 on this S&W DA 38..............

OK, now for the questions & comments about condition!

Here are some close-up pix, so you can better see the edges of the piece.

The LGS where I got this "thought" it may have been reblued, but he wasn't sure. 4 or 5 other shooters I showed it too were split; some said yes (refinished) while others said no.

As for me, I'm leaning towards it being reblued, but it seems whoever did it really took some care with it and did a really nice job! When I shine a bright LED flashlight at the piece, the nice blue starts to appear brownish, which makes me think it's a reblued DA.

Questions...

Q3: Your thoughts on the refinish?

Q4: If it was, could S&W have done the refinish work?

Q5: How much would you value this one at?

I don't particularly mind if indeed it was refinished, as I was taken by the overall finish and condition (as the bore and cylinders are MINT and it looks unfired).

I think I'm now hooked on the S&W Top Breaks and will stop collecting the lesser-quality (but still interesting) H&R Models. Maybe a hammerless S&W to match in 32 or 38 would make a nice companion piece to this one.

Thanks for looking and for your thoughts!

Old No7

 

[mmaher94087]

Old No7, I have been collecting Tip-up and Top Break revolvers for over 50 years. I have had at least one-of-each. My opinion, based upon these few photos is that it has been refinished. If it was done by the factory, there would be a star after the serial number and/or a date stamp on the left frame under the stocks. The most obvious reason is that S&W did not blue the front sight blade on the .38 Double Action, 2nd Issue revolvers. Whom ever did the work did a nice job.

 

[opoefc]

Nice work but definitely a refinish. Your S&W was made June 19, 1884, as a blue .38 Double Action, 2nd model. (Not as a " 2nd Model S&W No. 2" ) Value is in the $275 - $350 range, assuming it's in good mechanical condition, and will make a nice shooter. The grips are the correct style but probably not original to the gun. Ed.

 

[glowe]

The accepted name for your revolver is 38 Double Action, 2nd Change as Mike stated and would have shipped around 1883.

There are signs that the gun has been refinished, but the color of the bluing and the matte appearance are wrong for that vintage S&W revolver. S&W factory returned guns usually had a star stamped on the butt, along with a date behind the left stock on the frame. Ther were often other stamps as well, so I would say chances are your gun was not refinished by the factory.

Refinishing removes most all the collector value, so what you have is a very nice shooter that is probably in the $250 plus range. Grab some 38 S&W ammo, take it to the range, and have fun.

 

[Old No7]

Thanks to all for the info above.

OK, a "38 DA 2nd Model" it is.

There is no star by the serial # or date under the grip.

But for $175 out the door, I think I did pretty well, as it is in excellent mechanical condition.

I will get it out shooting this fall for sure!

Old No7

 

[glowe]

. . . OK, a "38 DA 2nd Model/Change" it is . . .

Sorry, I was thinking Model but typed Change. You have a 2nd Model.