Top Break, 38 S&W, exposed trigger

[fishingfox]

I am trying to learn what I can about this gun. It was my grandfathers' and I am 77 years old. This is my first post. Any pointers to guide this newbie will be appreciated.

38 S&W, Nickel Plated, Top Break, exposed trigger, single action, 3 1/4 “ barrel, fixed sights, automatic shell ejector, strain screw, S/N #48129

I took some photos, but haven't figured out how to post them yet.

 

[Seaburry]

Pictures got this group excited! Ho Ho welcome

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! This sounds to be a .38 Single Action, likely from about 1893. It has a "spur" trigger. A letter of authenticity will tell you the date it left the factory and to where it was shipped:

http://www.swhistoricalfoundation.com/swhf_letter.pdf

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. If it is a S&W and has what is called a spur trigger like the attached image, you have a 38 Single Action, 2nd Model that would have left the factory around 1879 - 1881 timeframe.

The 38 SA was made from 1876 to 1911 and was identified as either a 38 SA, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or Mexican Model. Around 136,000 were manufactured in total, so it was a very popular pocket revovler in the late 1800s. The standard configurations were a 3 1/4", 4", 5", or 6" barrel length, with a very few 8" and 10" guns made.

 

[BMur]

Photo's please

Happy Holidays Fishingfox!

Welcome aboard. Please post the photo's you took. You can do so via the "Manage Attachments" Icon when you "Go advanced" with a post. Then plug in your photo's. I think the forum would like to see your Grandfathers gun. I sure would. If the photo's are on your smart phone you will have to sign on the website using your phone then attach the photo's with manage attachments. If you are using a laptop its basically the same procedure just go to "Photo's" saved on your computer and attach.
I hope it's a .38 but for some reason my gut is telling me it's a .32....I don't know why. 32's were extremely popular as hideouts or pocket carry's during that period. 38's were also but the little .32 was a bit more comfortable for the working man.

Murph

 

[fishingfox]

Murph, It is definitely a .38. I have 12 rounds that came with the pistol and they definitely fit. I have never fired it. Will try to post pictures later today.

 

[fishingfox]

There should be three photos.

 

[mrcvs]

It's a .38 Single Action Second Model.

 

[BMur]

Holster wear

Very nice 38! I like the wear to the finish on the barrel and cylinder. This is typical wear from an “in the pocket” type holster. I would leave it as found. Great family heirloom. Thanks for the photos! Was it found in a holster or does it have one that came with it?

Murph

 

[fishingfox]

Very nice 38! I like the wear to the finish on the barrel and cylinder. This is typical wear from an “in the pocket” type holster. I would leave it as found. Great family heirloom. Thanks for the photos! Was it found in a holster or does it have one that came with it?

Murph

No holster. It has been stored in a Crown Royal bag all these years. He passed in 1957.

 

[S&WsRsweet]

Welcome to the forum. A very nice way to enter is a family heirloom passed down especially from a man in his 70s grandfather . Wow. Do your heirs a favor and make some writings about the revolver and your grandfather as their is a little S&W collector out their that will value any information left some day . You do t know how may times I have read posts about old revolvers that said “ man I wish this gun could talk” with your first hand knowledge and maybe a letter yours will be able to . Good luck ,thanks for posting .

 

[BMur]

Documented History

I can’t agree more with S&WsRsweet,
Documenting this family history is important.
I’m only posting my personal experience on this thread sort of thinking out loud?
It’s been my experience that the type of wear on your Antique Smith & Wesson was caused from a leather holster. Likely a lot of the finish was rubbed off of the barrel and cylinder when your Grandfather carried the piece “ In a holster”. Then at some point he stopped and then the gun was stored in the leather holster and basically disintegrated during long storage.
What you see on the surface of the barrel and cylinder “ Screams” “ I was stored in a leather holster”.
So this must have been Pre-1957 when the gun was graced with the soft pillow like Crown Royal bag! LOL.
Anyway, do you know why your Grandfather would have carried this Smith & Wesson?
In other words can you share some family history with the forum?
And thank you For sharing this info. Some collectors really enjoy this stuff!


Murph

 

[fishingfox]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome and great information. I will try and dig through the cobwebs and tell you what I know about my grandfather. He worked for the railroad and lived in Mingo Junction, OH. In the late 20's he moved is family (wife and my mother) to Orange, CA. They took the northern route camping along the way through Yellowstone Park. My mother saw a woman killed by a bear in a park campground. The woman was feeding the bear candy and dropped the box. When she bent over to pick up the box the bear killed her with one swat.

In Orange, CA my grandfather worked as an independent plumber until he retired. I don't know for certain, but assume that he carried this weapon while working for the railroad and on the trek across the country. He probably carried it while working as a plumber. When he retired to Yucca Valley, CA, he kept the pistol up on a high shelf and warned me not to touch it.

His next move was to our ranch in Wickenburg, AZ in 1955. I don't remember ever seeing the S&W again until after he died in 1958 at the age of 80 (not 1957 as I stated earlier). The pistol was in the Crown Royal bag when we found it.

Unfortunately I am the last leaf on this branch of the family tree. When my time comes there will be nobody left to carry on. So, I am considering selling some of my possessions and would like to have an idea of what this pistol should sell for.

Thank you all again for help and welcome.

Ed