S&W 38 Caliber

[JoelH72]

I have a 38 caliber S&W handgun. Not very familiar with them but I believe it is a top break and has the serial number of 5409 on the handle and inside of the chamber. Would this be a second generation and if so, what could it be worth. My daughter has it and I don’t want her getting ripped off if it is worth some money. It is Nicole and is pretty heavy.

Thanks.

P.S. don’t have pics just yet but could get them if necessary.

 

[JoelH72]

It is nickel not Nicole.

 

[Absalom]

Welcome to the forum. I think pictures would definitely be a good idea, since as you say yourself you're not very familiar with these guns and not sure just what you are describing.

This thread may offer some helpful advice:

To IDENTIFY your Gun >

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Does it look like this gun?

This is a .38 S&W Double Action 2nd Model. S&W made 10's of thousands of these handguns and they are typically not very valuable unless they have provenance or are unfired in the original box or display case.

 

[JSR III]

Welcome to the forum.

Pictures would be a great help in exact identification. As was said above, S&W made 10's of thousands of these guns so unless the gun is in near new condition with its original box, value drops significantly.

S&W's typically fall into two categories, collectible guns and shooters. The comments in the first paragraph usually apply to collectible guns. Unfortunately these older guns are not really popular with today's younger shooters unless they are into some form of reenactment venue.

This is why value is low unless in pristine condition.

 

[Arik]

Pictures would help but the top break 38s were very common and not very valuable. I see them in the $200 range depending on condition

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[TomkinsSP]

It is nickel not Nicole.

Nicole is a nice name for a gun, but once you name them you won't be able to get rid of 'em, "Nicole" will be part of the family.