Unknown revolver model

[My Gun]

I have an old S&W .38SW revolver. It is a break-action, five shot. I am trying to identify it, but I cannot find the model number. The only number I find is presumably the serial number, on the bottom of the grip. It is 298407.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[bamabiker]

Welcome to the forum.
By break action are you talking about a break top?
Model numbers did not come about until 1957 so your gun is probably older than that. Can you post a picture?

 

[My Gun]

Yes, it is a break top, I guess. No pics, I'm not allowed to post any here yet.

 

[A10]

You on restrictions? Pics and serial numbers, barrel length, caliber, and butt shape will tell us a lot. Measure the barrel length from the front of the cylinder.....

 

[My Gun]

Serial number is 407865. Calibur is .38. Barrel length is 3". Also, it is a double action.

 

[My Gun]

My gun looks almost identical to one in an earlier thread on this site. Except for the grips, it is identical to a post from member GCB1965 in July 2011.

Thanks for any help.

 

[H Richard]

Would the gun look similar to this? This is a Double Action 38, 3rd model. It dates to 1893, and is in 38 S&W, which is not the same as 38 S&W Special. In these DA top breaks they made 6 variations, from 1880 to 1920.

A few photo's and/or more specific information is needed to properly identify yours.

 

[DWalt]

Is it SN 298407 or as you later say 407865? Either way, it seems to be a S&W DA .38, 4th model. The big difference is that if it has the former SN it is pre-1899 and an antique. If it is the latter, it is not an antique but a "modern" gun which is a curio & relic according to BATFE regulations. It is chambered in .38 S&W, not .38 S&W Special, which are two different cartridges. It's not worth a great deal, perhaps $150 to $300 depending upon condition. There were lots of them made.

 

[My Gun]

The serial number of my gun is 407865. I was reading it upside down the first time, the type looks remarkably the same either way.

I checked with Smith-Wesson and here is what they told me yesterday.

They said it is a .38 Double Action Fourth Model and was sold in September, 1900.

 

[My Gun]

Guys I would love to send a photo, but I am still on restrictions.

Thanks

 

[Wiregrassguy]

You are not restricted in posting photos. You probably are trying to post too large pix. Resize them to 800x800 and they should upload fine. If you are using a hosting site, resize them and you can insert them fine.

 

[My Gun]

Thanks Wiregrassguy, I will try to figure out the pics sometime.

 

[My Gun]

Photo of 4th model DA .38SW

Here is my revolver.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

It appears to be a .38 S&W Double Action 4th Model. Shipped around 1903.

 

[My Gun]

Smith-Wesson says it was sold in September, 1900.