Smith & Wesson 3d Model ??

[Sebedeus1]

Hi Gent's, greetings.

Please, I've got a S&W here in 38 S&W.


It's a SA revolver, nickeled, in really good shape, except the grips.

What model, manufacturing year is this ??

Is it rare, since I've not seen many others ??


Thanks for any suggestions.


bw

 

[opoefc]

Welcome to the Forum. Your gun is a S&W Single Action .38, 3rd model, also called the Model of 1891. Only 26,850 of the guns were made, from 1891 to 1911, so it's not commonly seen. If you want to post the serial number, we can tell you when it was shipped from the factory. Ed.

 

[Sebedeus1]

Hi, and thanks for info.

Serialnumber is 2359.

Thanks

 

[opoefc]

Serial number 2359 left the factory in 1891. Ed.

 

[Sebedeus1]

1891 Smith & Wesson's & more...

Got another, here's some pics of both.
The last one, is mechanically excellent, and bore is close to mint, but exteriour needs some work;=)

I'm a very happy S&W owner, and yet another on it's way, a 22 LR 1st Model 91, with 10 inch barrel, mint !!

Even 5 different barrels followed, from 22, 32, & 38s'.

Bw

 

[Sebedeus1]

1891 Barrels

Hi again;=)

Some pics of the barrels.....

Need various parts....

bw

 

[glowe]

Is it rare, since I've not seen many others ??

I have been doing some research on the 38 Perfected and the Model of 1891 SA, trying to figure out why you do not see a lot of them for sale. I inquired to Roy Jinks about the Model of 1891 and his reaction was that these caliber and size guns were in great demand with overseas markets, so maybe many of these "disappeared" overseas never to be seen again on the market.

I have been able to determine is that there was a total of 28,107 manufactured in a few configurations. First, the 1891 1st Model single shot pistols totaled 1251 and the Mexican Model totaled 2000 or so. This leaves over 25,000 revolvers made.

I was reading Martin Rywell's 1953 edition of Smith & Wesson – The Story of the Revolver. He claims that 7,000 Model of 1891 revolvers were sold to Russia. He also mentions the Mexican Model with no numbers for production.

If we add these 7,000 Russian revolvers into the equation, the total of revolvers made is reduced to just over 17,750. Still seems like enough that you would see them in trade from time to time, so these numbers seem to support a rather large export market to Europe.

 

[Modelof1891]

1891 Barrels

Hi again;=)

Some pics of the barrels.....

Need various parts....

bw

Hello Sedbedeus 1,

Welcome to the forum. Nice .38 SA 3rd Models and Single Shot!

The barrels you have may prove to be a challange in locating the parts you will need to make them useful. Latches, sights, screws, ejectors and housing pieces. Wish you luck in your search.

I have a question about the markings on the top of your .38 SA Revolver. Is it roll stamped with the address or does it have the "Modelof91" in the center of the markings?
Most of the short barrels did not have the Modelof91 markings.

Thanks!
TW

 

[Sebedeus1]

Markings

Hi TW, sorry for the late reply.

This one has not the Model of 91 on top of the barrel, but my second one has the marking.

Also, I've been fortune enough to catch a complete barrel and cylinder assembly lately, with a longer barrel.

i'm not sure about the markings on this one yet.

bw