Safety Hammerless Info Please

[Smathersfish]

Hey fellas, I am looking at a safety hammerless 38 S&W. Serial number is 206xxx. Nickel finish, perfect hard rubber grips, 4" barrel. I would say good to very good condition. Could someone look up date and give me an estimated value. I am working out of town and don't have access to my SCSW. Also these old guns are out of my area of knowledge. Thanks, Josh

 

[glowe]

1906 would be a good guess on ship date, so it is not an antique. Cut off for antique status on a 38 Hammerless, Fifth Model is below 119,900. As for value, these are very common, and in VG condition, I would not go over $325, preferably less.

 

[tmaucher]

what

1906 would be a good guess on ship date, so it is not an antique. Cut off for antique status on a 38 Hammerless, Fifth Model is below 119,900. As for value, these are very common, and in VG condition, I would not go over $325, preferably less.

You mean to tell me a 107 year old gun is not antique? What does make a gun an antique? thanks

 

[glowe]

You mean to tell me a 107 year old gun is not antique? What does make a gun an antique? thanks

The BATF considers any firearm an antique if it was manufactured before 1899. I think this date was to coincide with the advent of smokeless powder, but not sure. At any rate, December 31, 1898 and earlier gets you antique status.

 

[Fortcouragearmory]

What Gary said. The actual age has less to do than the manufacture date. Any firearm manufactured prior to December 31, 1898 is considered an antique. And as far as I know, it has to do with the cutoff between the BP and smokeless eras....at least according to those governmental types that regulate firearms commerce.