Smith and Wesson .38 Topbreak snubnose

[twaits]

This is a .38 snub I bought at a gun show a few years back. It has been cut down and renickeled at some point so it was really cheap. Anyway, it needs a new hammer because the full cock notch is to worn to hold the hammer back. Anyone out there have one they would sell me? I believe this gun was made in the 1880s if memory serves me correctly. Thanks.

 

[H Richard]

Try Numrich. (Gun parts international)

 

[Jasonemc]

Model 3 DA

there is no cocking notch it is a double action only revolver.

 

[singleshot1891]

Jasonemc,
The .38 DA Top Breaks were not double-action only.

 

[opoefc]

The revolver is a single action and double action model, not just DA. If it won't hold on full cock for SA, file the notch a little deeper, however the problem is usually a worn sear tip, not the hammer notches. Installing a new hammer will require fitting to get it to function correctly, not an easy job sometimes.

 

[sub349]

I have a 38SW New Departure(Safety Hammerless) 1ST Mod ser27XX made in 1887. My Dad carried as his off duty weapon when on PD 1930's to 1950's.

Looks about same(except for obvious version differences) as your cutoff except when this one was cut-off nothing was done to remount front sight(Perhaps less to snag when carried in a pocket?). Original nickeling in very good shape except for edges of one cylinder scallop where worn to base metal from holster wear? Barrel is pitted but still shoots well.

It is perfect for a pocket hoslter and I sometimes carry it now that I have the broken trigger spring replaced. I believe the cut-off alteration may have been fairly common with your SA/DA and the Safety Hammerless such as I have ....

These are a piece of history

 

[twaits]

The revolver is a single action and double action model, not just DA. If it won't hold on full cock for SA, file the notch a little deeper, however the problem is usually a worn sear tip, not the hammer notches. Installing a new hammer will require fitting to get it to function correctly, not an easy job sometimes.

I did try stoning the sear notch in the hammer a while ago. The hammer will stay back but if you push it it will release. If you pull the trigger in SA it wants to decock.
I cant remember, is the sear tip actually cast into the trigger on these or is it a seperate part? Perhaps a new sear would fix the problem?

Thanks to everyone for their input on this.

-Erik

 

[twaits]

I have a 38SW New Departure(Safety Hammerless) 1ST Mod ser27XX made in 1887. My Dad carried as his off duty weapon when on PD 1930's to 1950's.

Looks about same(except for obvious version differences) as your cutoff except when this one was cut-off nothing was done to remount front sight(Perhaps less to snag when carried in a pocket?). Original nickeling in very good shape except for edges of one cylinder scallop where worn to base metal from holster wear? Barrel is pitted but still shoots well.

It is perfect for a pocket hoslter and I sometimes carry it now that I have the broken trigger spring replaced. I believe the cut-off alteration may have been fairly common with your SA/DA and the Safety Hammerless such as I have ....

These are a piece of history

Do you have a pic you can post? Thanks

 

[sub349]

I w

[/IMG]ill try with photobucket...never have posted photo on this forum before....

 

[sub349]

Well I guess it worked but photobucket caption not included.....It is not a finish defect or smudge on the cover plate of the New Departure but a reflection.

The 38spl M&P circa 1902 also has a great deal of famiily history from being owned by a relative LEO.

 

[twaits]

Sub349

Thanks for posting. That little topbreak is really cool. I'd still like to have a lemonsqueezer
snub.

-Erik

 

[sub349]

This one has a lot of family history.....Dad was on PD from mid 1930's to late 50's when he retired as Chief.....carried OD and later in a hip pocket holster when he wore civvies on duty. Before that I believe it was owned by the same relative who owned the M&P pictured. He had been a PD detective in early 1900's, then two terms as a County Sheriff, early Indiana State Police when called Indiana Motore Vehicle Police, and finally proprietor of a private detective agency.

W/o front sight I have a tendency to shoot high with it but I'm getting better....

I think cutting off the barrel was done with these two kinds of top breaks fairly frequently....when I first posted on the forum had a reply from someone who said he carried one in his boot through Korea.

Anyway I find it easy for CCW in a pocket holster in front pocket almost no matter what I am wearing except for a swim suit perhaps....