Smith & Wesson Cal 38

[Luis Fernando]

I need some help

Smith & Wesson Cal 38

s/n 141458

Year of production,value,collectible?
Thanks LF
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[Luis Fernando]

I need some help

Smith & Wesson Cal 38

s/n 141458

Year of production,value,collectible?
Thanks LF
[IMG:right] [/IMG]
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[IMG:right]URL=http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2513350670103886237MOnSrR]

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[trickyrickster]

can't help you w/ anything...was just wondering what it says above and below the symbol on right side of the frame and what the symbol stands for? rick (nice looking piece )

 

[deadin]

Interesting gun. The grip logo appears to be Smith&Wesson however the logo on the right side of the frame is Spanish. I think it is Garate, Anitua y Cia of Eibar Spain. The engraving and butt swivel are also indicitive of Spanish copies.
What does it say on top of the barrel rib?

 

[Alk8944]

Fair looking but definitely a Spanish copy with S&W stocks on it. The shape of the hammer, trigger, trigger guard and the knuckle aren't right for a real S&W.

 

[opoefc]

Dean is right, it's a Spanish copy, but the frame size is close enough that the S&W grips fit well. Engraving is probably after market Pawn shop style, as that type engravingwasn't done in Spain. Ed.

 

[Luis Fernando]

Originally posted by deadin:
Interesting gun. The grip logo appears to be Smith&Wesson however the logo on the right side of the frame is Spanish. I think it is Garate, Anitua y Cia of Eibar Spain. The engraving and butt swivel are also indicitive of Spanish copies.
What does it say on top of the barrel rib?

It says:

Smith and Wesson..American Metallic Cartridges Cal.38 Are to be used for our model of Revolver Jan 24 1883

LF

 

[deadin]

Pretty standard type of inscription on the Spanish copies. Notice it doesn't claim to be a Smith & Wesson, just that it is intended for Smith & Wesson cartridges.

As to when it was made... Probably in the 1880's, 1890's. Maybe later. It's not a bad looking gun and IIRC, Garate, Anitua y Cia made some fairly decent copies although the metal could tend to be a little soft.
Value?? Good question. I know there are some that collect the Spanish copies as an adjunct to their S&W's but I don't know what they pay.
Hopefully someone will join in...... Ed??

 

[opoefc]

Spanish, and other foreign copies can be an interesting sub-field of collecting. They usually don't cost much and few have a value that would approach an original S&W. The gun above is one of the more attractive examples, I'd say, and is probably woth as much as an original .38DA S&W. Non engraved, of course. Copies usually are consided as being in the same catagory as infringements, however there are some infringements that have more value than original S&Ws, especially those that are marked "Made for Smith & Wessom" and were so marked because the makers lost the patent infringement suits brought against them by S&W. Ed.