S&W revolver identification

[grandpasgun]

Hey folks!

My grandpa is thinking about selling his S&W revolver to a collector but we have no idea how to track the info needed to identifify this gun.

Can someone help us?

Thank you!

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! This model is called a .38 Perfected. Others will be here shortly with more details.

 

[cgt4570]

These were produced from 1909 to 1920.
The gun appears to have been refinished, then allowed to rust. The factory pearls are worth as much or more than the gun at this point. A little bit of Flitz polish on a Q-tip will make the medallions sparkle again. As for the gun, it has zero collector value. I would suspect the bore to be as bad as the exterior surface. If so, it's not even good candidate as a shooter.
The gun itself is worth about $100. The grips about the same if cleaned up.
Sorry for the bad news. Good luck!

 

[grandpasgun]

You're right. The trigger works well but I couldn't open the top-break mechanism. Thought I was doing it wrong but I guess it's just jammed.

 

[LittleAugieMo]

Try a bit of Kroil on it.

 

[cgt4570]

You're right. The trigger works well but I couldn't open the top-break mechanism. Thought I was doing it wrong but I guess it's just jammed.

The Perfected Model uses the same thumb latch as hand ejectors. It was an added safety feature. You must push the thumb latch forward while raising the top break latch. It's like rubbing your head and patting you belly at the same time.

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. Be very careful when opening this model revolver. If you try to open the gun using only the top-latch, you can very easily bend the center pin (quill). I have had to realign the cylinder on a few of these guns over the years, because once bent, the revolver will not operate properly. The 38 Perfected is a modern firearm, so you will have to follow the BATF regulations when selling. The 45,XXX serial number would have been shipped in 1913.

The 38 Perfected was built using 2 separate models to make. The barrel/cylinder assembly was the same as the 38 Double Action top-break and the modified frame & mechanism used the Model 1903 solid frame revolver. The top-break used only the top-latch and the Model 1903 used only the thumb-latch making it confusing when combining both latches. I did a commentary on the 38 Perfected and am attaching it for more details about your grandfather's gun. Why are you selling it and not passing it down to you? I am not so sure it is refinishes, but the nickel plating is distressed, making the gun not worth much. They are, however, a nice keepsake for an unusual S&W.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Be very careful when opening this model revolver. If you try to open the gun using only the top-latch, you can very easily bend the center pin (quill). I have had to realign the cylinder on a few of these guns over the years, because once bent, the revolver will not operate properly.

... the gun not worth much. They are, however, a nice keepsake for an unusual S&W.

You're right. The trigger works well but I couldn't open the top-break mechanism. Thought I was doing it wrong but I guess it's just jammed.

Hopefully it is not broken.

 

[glowe]

Hopefully it is not broken.

If it will not open when you operate both latches at the same time, you will have to take out the pivot screw & pin. You then lift up on the barrel and raise the latch to remove the barrel in order to figure out what is wrong with the gun.