S&W 38 Perfected Model

[duckhunter28432]

After searching for quite a while, I finally took a chance on a Perfected Model. I have wanted one for some time now and I came across one that I thought was priced too good to turn down. It arrived today and I am pretty pleased with its condition. The action is really tight and all the numbers match. I was surprised but even the right stock has the number stamped inside. I thought it would be penciled but it is stamped. I wish I could take better pictures. Can anyone give me an approx. ship date for serial number 499**?

 

[PRM1]

I've never seen a dating chart for these. There were 59,400 produced between 1909 and 1920. I was told you could average the number and be close.

I have one that dates somewhere around 1914. One of my favorite guns.

I probably carry it more than the Model 36-1 pictured with it. Allen's made me a custom high rise open top holster for it that really makes it a pleasure to carry.

 

[duckhunter28432]

What length barrel is yours? I really like the feel of mine it has a nice balance. I can't find any evidence that its been shot much at all. The rifling and recoil shield look really clean.

 

[merl67]

Very nice I got one a while back very fun to shoot and I do carry mine every so often.

 

[duckhunter28432]

What kind of ammo do you use? I know the perfected model is suppose to be solid with a barrel catch and a thumb latch.

 

[opoefc]

Any .38S&W ammo. will be fine in your gun, assuming it's in OK mechanical condition. All modern .38S&W ammo. is loaded to safe pressures for these older guns. The ammos. not cheap and most serious shooters reload it to save on expenses of shooting it. Ed.

 

[PRM1]

Mine is a 4 inch barrel. I generally carry and shoot the factory Remington 146 Grain LRN Bullet. It's 685 feet per second muzzle velocity delivers 150 foot pounds of muzzle energy which is adequate with proper shot placement for SD.

The round was first developed in 1877. It was one of the more popular calibers in the pocket type pistols around the turn of the 20th century. In the 200 grain variation it was used a service cartridge during WWII by the British. It was used by Israel during its war for Independence (1948) and has seen a host of police agencies around the world use it. Very accurate and comfortable to shoot.

I had some .38 S&W reloaded for a Model 2 single action using black powder and a semi-wad cutter bullet that I really like. Only thing with black powder rounds, you have to be very meticulous in your clean up.

 

[glowe]

Nice Perfected that should give you lots of fun at the range and lots of questions on what in the heck is that? There were 59,400 manufactured and date from 1909 to 1920.

Your Perfected was shipped around 1915. It looks like an almost new nickel finish. I can not tell from the picture if it looks original or a re-nickel. Are there any indications of a refinish, slightly rounded edges, nickel in pits or scratches? Are there any stamps on the back of the cylinder or under the stocks that indicate how the gun left the factory like an N or B? A factory letter would indicate what the original finish was and exact ship date. If you can be certain that it is original, you have a 4 digit value there. As I can recall, most stocks were stamped in the teens. It looks like you might have a 4" barrel. Perfecteds came in 3 1/4", 4", 5", and 6".

This revolver is somewhat scarce in the US, as it was a very popular export model. There were lots shipped to Europe and to South America.

 

[duckhunter28432]

I cannot find any indication that it has been refinished. The edges are really sharp and the screw heads look untouched. Honestly, I don't think the gun has ever been shot but a couple of times. My IPad will only let me post one picture. The other side of the gun has a couple of dark spots in the nickel. Looks like the nickel has thinned close to the metal. If you send me a pm with an email address I would love for you to look at some additional pictures.

 

[duckhunter28432]

Finally got my historical letter from Mr. Jinks. Nothing to write home about but the revolver shipped to MW Robinson in New York on September 14, 1913. So I guess it will celebrate its 100th birthday this year. I haven't shot it and probably never will. I do enjoy admiring it though.

 

[dingodad]

Carrying the 38 cal. perfected

I'd like to carry my 38 perfected, as well, but I'd like a nice leather holster for it (4" barrel). Those of you that carry one: what do you recommend for use as a conceal carry holster? Also, I'd love to know the origin of my particular piece (#364**). Who can do that? Mr. Jinks? Who's that? Thanks.

 

[gordonrick]

Roy Jinks is the S&W historian. For $50 they will research your gun and give the shipping date and where it shipped to along with some general info about that model. They did not always ship in the order they were built and they only recorded shipping data. This is the "factory letter" or letter of authenticity you hear about frequently on this forum.

Nice perfected by the way.

 

[DWalt]

Seldom is the "Factory Letter" that valuable for run-of-the-mill guns. Essentially it tells you only the shipping date, to where it was shipped (mainly that will be some distributor or wholesaler), and features such as barrel length, finish, and grip type. A letter will not authenticate any gun, as it only recites what the factory records say about it.

I feel that the only guns deserving a factory letter are those which are rare, have some unusual features, or may have some historic linkage. Otherwise, keep your $50 and use it for ammo. About any questions you have about dating, etc. can be answered here for free.

 

[gordonrick]

Agree. Sometimes curiosity gets the better of you.

The denizens of this forum can usually get you to within month or two with a high level of confidence. For most of us that is all we need.

 

[HoundDog316]

I have a two inch barrel perfected, that supposedly doesn't exist. I'm in the process of taking pictures and filling out the form for a factory letter. Will post the pics here as soon as I can. Does anyone know if I can send pictures on a CD to Roy? I want to send a number of hi-resolution photos, especially of the barrel. It looks factory to me, but again they say a two inch doesn't exist. If this was a gunsmith cut-off, I'd like to send more of my guns his way. It would be the best gunsmith job I've ever seen. Be back soon.

 

[DWalt]

You can send pictures if you want, but the letter you get will (or should) provide only the barrel length that was actually shipped, with or without any pictures attached. You will receive no information as to whether your barrel length exists or not, nor speculation about whether a longer barrel was chopped. You are not paying for getting an appraisal, so including all of the high definition pictures won't get you anywhere. Posting them here will probably get you much more information than Jinks will ever provide.

 

[HoundDog316]

Good advice, regardless. I've started a new thread, since I think those are the rules. (Still new to this...) Same forum, thread is:Two-inch .38 Perfected Model.

 

[glowe]

Seldom is the "Factory Letter" that valuable for run-of-the-mill guns. Essentially it tells you only the shipping date, to where it was shipped (mainly that will be some distributor or wholesaler), and features such as barrel length, finish, and grip type. A letter will not authenticate any gun, as it only recites what the factory records say about it.

I feel that the only guns deserving a factory letter are those which are rare, have some unusual features, or may have some historic linkage. Otherwise, keep your $50 and use it for ammo. About any questions you have about dating, etc. can be answered here for free.

My opinion is that you will always get the money out of a factory letter when you sell the gun and maybe much more, no matter how "standard" the specimen looks. Letters on run of the mill guns have uncovered some interesting owners, confirm the configuration as shipped, and determining antique status on borderline 1898-1899 guns. I know there is a list out there of all antique cut-off dates, but not many potential buyers will have access to that data. How many times have we seen a clearly antique gun for sale requiring an ffl for purchase? Also determines whether a gun is a C&R or modern for FFL3 license holders.

Any standard gun with unusual barrel length or configuration is also worth a letter. It will tell the owner if their gun is factory or after-market altered. I do not think you are wasting your money, since it assures the prospective new owners of authenticity of the gun's current configuration.

 

[ddeanjohnson]

Double Action Perfected Model with 5-inch barrel (1920)

I got a factory letter on this one -- no. 579**, shipped January 22, 1920. The five-inch barrel is fairly scare. Photography by ace firearms photographer Terry J. Popkin.

 

[Checkman]

I like it. Now I have to put one of those on my Wish List. Geez guys.