I am trying to determine this top break's age, caliber, and a value. It actually has few markings compared to other revolvers I own. Across the top of the barrel it reads:
Smith & Wesson, Springfield MASS U.S.A, PAT'D FEBY 20 77 DEC 18 77 MAY 11 80 SEPT 11 83 OCT 2 85 AUG 4 85.
Besides what I presume is the serial number on the but- 3331, there aren't any other markings. Possibly a 25 cal. It has a 3 1/4" barrel, 5 shot, is hammerless, 3 screws left side, strain screw, fixed rear "v" and front post sight. Any ideas?
History: The weapon used to belong to my uncle. His family worked the railroads in the late 1890's well into the 1900's. It’s thought this was the sidearm he carried along with his truncheon while walking the tracks. As far as I can tell it's never been fired. Sadly, my uncle has alzheimer’s and is no longer able to share the details. The weapon was given to my father for whom I am doing a little research.
This sidearm was originally posted in another thread.
NUTSFORSMITHS contributed the following:
cbfisher, you have a 38 Safety Hammerless, 1st Model like the nickel version in the pictures I posted. The way to tell it is a 1st Model is that it has what is called the Z-Bar style release mechanism. The 1st Model was manufactured only in 1887, with just over 5,000 being produced. S&W found that style of release was a weak design, so they changed to a different style in 1888.
This model is kind of scarce, with a blued finish being even more scarce, since most were made with a nickel finish. Without seeing the pistol in person, I would say that pistols is worth at least $500.
Smith & Wesson, Springfield MASS U.S.A, PAT'D FEBY 20 77 DEC 18 77 MAY 11 80 SEPT 11 83 OCT 2 85 AUG 4 85.
Besides what I presume is the serial number on the but- 3331, there aren't any other markings. Possibly a 25 cal. It has a 3 1/4" barrel, 5 shot, is hammerless, 3 screws left side, strain screw, fixed rear "v" and front post sight. Any ideas?
History: The weapon used to belong to my uncle. His family worked the railroads in the late 1890's well into the 1900's. It’s thought this was the sidearm he carried along with his truncheon while walking the tracks. As far as I can tell it's never been fired. Sadly, my uncle has alzheimer’s and is no longer able to share the details. The weapon was given to my father for whom I am doing a little research.
This sidearm was originally posted in another thread.
NUTSFORSMITHS contributed the following:
cbfisher, you have a 38 Safety Hammerless, 1st Model like the nickel version in the pictures I posted. The way to tell it is a 1st Model is that it has what is called the Z-Bar style release mechanism. The 1st Model was manufactured only in 1887, with just over 5,000 being produced. S&W found that style of release was a weak design, so they changed to a different style in 1888.
This model is kind of scarce, with a blued finish being even more scarce, since most were made with a nickel finish. Without seeing the pistol in person, I would say that pistols is worth at least $500.
