Greeting all. I have been enjoying your forum as a guest for some time now. I am amazed at the amount of knowledge that is represented here. I have a question about an old top break double action revolver. From my research on this site it is a No 4 DA (top of barrel shows 1880, 1882, 1889; round triger guard). I am not concerned about value, but would like to know how old the gun is. The serial number is 373513 (matches all three places). My Dad gave me the gun (he is 94). It was his daddy's gun. He said that his dad carried it in his pocket everyday. I would also like to know what caliber it is. I know that it is a .38, but not sure which one. My Dad has always said that it is a .38 Short, but I cannot find anything that says they manufactured these pistols in a .38 Short ( I am guessing that would be a Colt Short). He says that the bullets he had for it had S&W on the bullet. Any ideas?
Top Break Question
- Thread starter Oktoc
- Start date
The caliber is .38 S&W. This caliber is still made by Remington, Winchester, Fiocchi and I believe MagTech as well. This is a totally different caliber then .38 Special. The .38 S&W is shorter and wider then the .38 Special and the two are not interchangeable. The new factory ammo is safe to shoot in these old top breaks, but if you are not sure if the gun is still in shootable shape have it checked out by a gunsmith before shooting.
As for its age I am not certain, but someone will come along soon to give you that part of the story. I would guess it is from around 1899-1900.
As for its age I am not certain, but someone will come along soon to give you that part of the story. I would guess it is from around 1899-1900.
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Welcome! It is likely from about 1897 or so. If it is a .38, the round is named the .38 S & W. Some called it the Short after the .38 Special was introduced; the two are not interchangeable.
If it is mechanically sound, current factory ammo (which is lightly loaded) should pose no problems. Many online companies have it in stock, or your local gun shop can order it, but it will run $25+ per box of 50 (probably more than your grandfather paid for the gun new!) Hope this is helpful.
If it is mechanically sound, current factory ammo (which is lightly loaded) should pose no problems. Many online companies have it in stock, or your local gun shop can order it, but it will run $25+ per box of 50 (probably more than your grandfather paid for the gun new!) Hope this is helpful.
Murphydog, Thanks for your reply. Now that I know it is .38 S&W I will order some ammo. Cannot wait to shoot it. Wow 1897. My Grandfather (one that owned the pistol) was born in 1883. Nothing like shooting a gun that is third generation and 116 years old.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! How about blessing us with some pictures. We crave pictures. You can upload them here and attach up to 5 of them to each post. Resize them first to no larger than 800x800 pixels. Did I mention we crave pictures?
DWalt
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Yours is from late 1898. Congratulations - legally you have an antique. That's a big plus.
You can fire .38 Short Colt in it, but for best results, use .38 S&W ammunition - NOT .38 S&W Special. It's available but is a little hard to come by and expensive.
You can fire .38 Short Colt in it, but for best results, use .38 S&W ammunition - NOT .38 S&W Special. It's available but is a little hard to come by and expensive.
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I assume that this revolver has a visible hammer, since I don't think the 38 Safety Hammerless revolvers serial numbers went that high. Given that fact, your revolver, if a visible hammer model, is an antique according to ATF. An excerpt below:
S&W DA .38 top break revolvers with hammer (serial # below 382,022)
S&W DA .38 top break hammerless ("lemon squeezer") revolvers (serial # below 119,900)
S&W DA .38 top break revolvers with hammer (serial # below 382,022)
S&W DA .38 top break hammerless ("lemon squeezer") revolvers (serial # below 119,900)
Wiregrassguy. Dwalt, Glowe -
Thank you for your replys. I will upload pictures as soon as I can. I am glad that the date ended up being an "official" antique.
It is a hammer type pistol. The fact that you can fire both shorts and s&w in the pistol may be the reason my Dad thought it was a 38 short. I will start looking for s&w ammo.
Thanks again for all the help.
Thank you for your replys. I will upload pictures as soon as I can. I am glad that the date ended up being an "official" antique.
It is a hammer type pistol. The fact that you can fire both shorts and s&w in the pistol may be the reason my Dad thought it was a 38 short. I will start looking for s&w ammo.
Thanks again for all the help.
DWalt
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If you want to shoot it much, I recommend you find pair of oversize grips to use. That will make it much more comfortable to hold. J-frame S&W grips will fit (same as Chief's Special, etc.).
DWalt, that jest ain't rite
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DeWalt - please don't take this personally, but those stocks hurt my eyes on that classic DA - just call me a purist. How about trying period target grips? Originals are out there and reproductions are available, plus they have a good feel in the hand. Besides, 38 DA revolvers aren't tackdrivers, but my target 1891 and 32 Long HE are!
It seems that grips that cover a portion of the frame change the finish under them over time. I don't know the reason, but I don't want to take the chance of leaving discoloration on the frame.
It seems that grips that cover a portion of the frame change the finish under them over time. I don't know the reason, but I don't want to take the chance of leaving discoloration on the frame.
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Thuer
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DeWalt those grips are Butt ugly.
Thuer
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No. That is to easy. I do not responce.
DWalt
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You folks miss the whole point. I did not put those grips on to make it historically correct, or to look good, or to please anyone but me. The purpose is that I shoot that revolver a fair amount, and it is virtually impossible to do that with my large hands around that skinny, tiny DA 38 grip.
