Smith and Wesson 2nd Model .38 Double Action Revolver

[JanArt]

Smith and Wesson 2nd Model .38 Double Action Revolver.

Hello!
Can anybody help me fully identify this pistol and give a ballpark valuation?

Looking at the trigger it looks like a second model top break.
Mechanical function seems good and the bore looks decent.
Grips seem to be ivory and match another pistol from this era.
Surface has some wear and one side of the grip is cracked but sturdy.

SN 104102 matches all parts.

Thank you for your help!

 

[BMur]

Welcome!

Welcome to the forum!
You’re spot on with your evaluation which is not the norm.

38 S&W DA TB 2nd model manufactured from 1880-1884. Total produced about 115,000. Continued serial number from 1st model so 4001-119,000.
Your example is towards the end of production so approximately 1884.

The finish from the photos is about 30% Nickel blending with metal surface. Grips are ivory but no way to tell if they are factory or Distributor installed without records research.
Ed might have the floor records on these and might be able to determine if the grips are original.

So, the ivory grips if original add a lot of value if not original they still add value but many States now have a restriction on ivory. So the value is then subjective.

Murph

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello Murph, can you tell the grips are ivory from the pic of the butt?

 

[JanArt]

Thank you all for your help. This is one of the examples I saw online that had similar grips. Listing says factory but obviously that could be the seller making a determination.
Is there any other information I could give to help determine more details?
Thanks again!

 

[BMur]

Active auctions.

You can’t post an active auction according to website rules. Only auctions that have ended.

There is no way to tell on these early ivory grips if they are factory installed without consulting the historical department by obtaining a letter. Factory records will confirm original configuration if they are still available for that serial number.

The odds are against you in this one as factory ivory grips are pretty rare.

Murph

 

[BMur]

Ivory grips?

Hello Murph, can you tell the grips are ivory from the pic of the butt?

Mike,

Fake ivory doesn’t normally look like these grips. They can get close to the color but the grain is very difficult to duplicate
And also in this case the cracks show aged dark brown Coloring. Fake ivory does not age like that. There is no color change or gloss to the material with age. It tends to stay unicolor and flat.

I have seen some Faux ivory on combs, straight razors, cuticle kits, etc but it never looks like the real thing since it does not color change with age.

An excellent example is the Remington New Model 4 with fake ivory grips. See photos.
Some are fooled by the excellent quality of the grips and material. If you study them you can clearly see the difference between real ivory grips and faux. The Remington grip’s actually have iron backing plates or the faux ivory would fall apart.

Murph

 

[iby]

Ivory

Ivory grips on an antique revolver are transferrable interstate

 

[JanArt]

Yep, the item I pulled the screenshot from was already closed. No sale price listed.

You can’t post an active auction according to website rules. Only auctions that have ended.

There is no way to tell on these early ivory grips if they are factory installed without consulting the historical department by obtaining a letter. Factory records will confirm original configuration if they are still available for that serial number.

The odds are against you in this one as factory ivory grips are pretty rare.

Murph

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


One can test for ivory with the "hot pin test." One takes the
grips off and on the back side, press a red hot pin into the grip,
if the burning smells like burnt hair, then it is real ivory. If it
smells like plastic, well ....


Cheers!
Webb

 

[JanArt]

2nd Model S&W break-top 38S&W - YouTube

So, apparently this gentleman has the exact same configuration of revolver that I have. Cool to see it in action.

Do y’all think this is something worth hanging onto or trying to sell or trade it? I don’t have any other old firearms so it’s definitely out of my wheelhouse and I don’t plan on shooting it.