URGENT !! need help b4 i go to gun show

[holo]

my buddy found this in the rafters in his house. is it a .38 double action 1st model? whats it worth? the gun functions perfectly in single or double action. grips are not cracked.i am taking him to a gun saturday, he want to trade it for a newer .357. please give me any insight and guesses of value thanks .

this nice shooter is what he picked out. not bad for a guy who found a gun

 

[Iggy]

He'd be wise to keep it and buy his .357 flat out.

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

He'd be wise to keep it and buy his .357 flat out.

I agree with Iggy... that's definitely a keeper!

 

[handejector]

38 Double Action Perfected Model.
Note the thumblatch.
In that condition, $250-275 retail if the bore is good.

 

[opoefc]

Lee's opinion is right on. Your friend would be lucky to get even a $100 allowance on a trade, as the gun has nil collector value in the "No finish" condition it is. Better to keep it as a shooter. Ed.

 

[gunfish]

It is a 38 double action Perfected Model. Made 1909 to 1920 according to the book. 59,400 made. 1669 would be early in the run. The guy that sells it and the guy that buys it will set the price. I will WAG 250$ since the finish is gone and assuming it has no action issues.

 

[deadin]

is it a .38 double action 1st model?

It's a .38 Double Action Last Model.

 

[gwpercle]

Keep the 38 S & W Double action. You will not get what it is worth from a dealer. He is a dealer and can/will only give you about 50% of it's real value... he has to sell it and make a profit. No I didn't learn this watching Pawn Stars , I learned the hard way, by bringing a gun to trade in and taking a beating on the deal. After I got home and started looking at what I gave and what I got it became apparent he got the better end of that deal. I will never make that mistake again. Also the old top breaks haven't been made for a long time , the ones in decent shape are hard to find and are becoming more valuable...KEEP IT and just dicker for the best deal on a newer 357.............gary
PS...the oldies are a blast to shoot. I wouldn't sell mine for anything...just too much fun factor to let it go.

 

[holo]

please keep the feedback coming in

 

[blackdeuce]

If your friend decides to trade it, buy it from him for what he is offered.

 

[Hondo44]

It's a very unique model, the Model P or P frame. The front half is a 38 Double Action and the back half is .38 HE.

Called "Perfected" because it was the ultimate evolution of the Double Action Model. As you probably figured out by now, both latches must be released at the same time to open it and it takes two hands. Legend has it that it was safer because a bad guy could not make a grab for it, open the top latch and disable the gun. I'd never sell mine.

 

[mistah g]

keep it it will be more fun to shoot,than a new gun and they just arent around any more. 30 40 years ago you couldn't give em away. now you'll do well just to see one advertised.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

What calibre? I assume it is the .38 S&W but as we all know when one assumes he makes an *** out of U and ME

 

[holo]

.38 S&W you are correct, not going to the show till sunday now, work came up please feel free to give opinion of value and % rating.

 

[tedog]

If your friend decides to trade it, buy it from him for what he is offered.

Very good advise.

 

[Roundsworth]

Keep it! I made the mistake of trading a 4" barrel DA 44 about 15 years ago. I paid $450.00 for it and took a beating on it. It was nicer than the one I just bought to replace it. No, I did not get the new one for $450.00! Live and learn.

 

[holo]

thanks for all the input guys he got a nice ruger simple shooter pic added

 

[Hondo44]

Well that Ruger's worth $375 give or take if he got both cylinders that it came with new.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Keep it, it's worth more than the Ruger. Besides it has a long barrel [5 or 6] and those are rare. Mine was 3 1/4 inch.