value of 38 ctg squeezer

[tony56]

Hey guys. I'm completely new on here. I've been trying to find the value of this gun all day with endless google and bing searches that render no valuable info that I did'nt already know. My wife was given an old cedar chest by her grandfather and she found the gun in the chest yesterday. She said that she thinks that it belonged to her great grandmother who ran a beer tavern when she was a young woman. I only have average knowledge on guns in general. But I do know is stamped on the gun. Without a way to be able to take a picture of the gun I will just have to try to include every detail posible. Thanks in advance for any info that you guys might be able to provide. She mostly is interested in knowing what it's valued at. It's a s&w 38 ctg with a two inch barrell, it has the original black plastic s&w grips. The s&w logo on the right side of the gun is still visible with the middle of the logo starting to rub off just a little. Considering that it probably has not been oiled in years the gun is pretty good over all good condition. There is a front site on the end of the barrell and the only engravement visible is Springfield, MASS. USA and right under it has an April, either 2 or 9 (can't really tell with my bad eyes) 1889.
The number stamped on the bottom of the grip is 211308. That's about all that I know to include and I know there's not any pictures but the gun is in good condition and fully functional. I have not fired it but the firing pin does work. Oh yeah, it is hammerless or at least hidden inside. Like I said value of the 5 shot revolver is what my main interest is. Thanks alot fellas and I'm sorry for the confusing post I just tried to include every detail because

 

[srp707]

I have two of those one that is refinished in nickel with stag grips,see the ammo question thread below yours a few notches and I posted a picture to get ammo advice and is mint and on a great day retail is around 200 to 250 mainly because they made a ton of them and they are black powder guns but some say you can shoot 125 Gr smokeless in them. If you loved Granny just put it in a shadow box and remember them. I got the 2 I have about the same way and as a collector of SAA Colt 45's I thought oooo 1880's gun big money.....wrong. Sad but true

 

[tony56]

I have two of those one that is refinished in nickel with stag grips,see the ammo question thread below yours a few notches and I posted a picture to get ammo advice and is mint and on a great day retail is around 200 to 250 mainly because they made a ton of them and they are black powder guns but some say you can shoot 125 Gr smokeless in them. If you loved Granny just put it in a shadow box and remember them. I got the 2 I have about the same way and as a collector of SAA Colt 45's I thought oooo 1880's gun big money.....wrong. Sad but true

Thank you very much for the reply. I will take your advise and just hold on to it. A hundred bucks or so just isn't worth the meaning and memories of the old gun itself. Thanks again and have a great night.

 

[Dosgatos]

Photos would be a big help, particularly of the sight/muzzle and the inscription on the top of the barrel, but it sounds like the barrel was cut and the gun has been refinished.

 

[glowe]

OK - first, you have a .38 Safety Hammerless 4th Model that was shipped somewhere close to 1910, well after the advent of smokeless powder, so standard .38 S&W cartridges available today would function just fine. Second, if your 2" barrel is factory original, you have a scarce gun there. These were special order guns and worth a substantial premium.

Please try to post some pictures, especially the barrel, so someone can give you a true value for your revolver. If cut, not worth much, if original, a very valuable Safety Hammerless.

 

[cflier]

Most 2 inch barreled Safety Hammerless were not special order guns. They were a cataloged item. But the 38 2 inch squeezer was only cataloged for a few years so they are somewhat scarce. Much more so than the 32 2 inch. This one by the way with a serial # in the 211000 range would be considered special order if it is in fact a factory installation. The only cataloged SH that might be harder to find than a 2 inch 38 is a 6 inch 32 Safety Hammerless.

 

[Moe6684]

Hello I am new here and I have a 38 S&W Lemon Squeezer It was my fathers gun and as I understand it the gun was given to him by his father.. I got it after dad passed away!! It is Nickel with black rubber grips the gun looks to be in very good shape everything is tight and to my knowledge hasn't been shot much at all in my 45 years..It has a 3 inch barrel and the serial #222530.Any info on possibly when it was made would be appreciated greatly..I am seeing here that the guns value is in the ballpark of 200 to 400 dollers..But would really like to know how old it is..thanks so much!!

 

[glowe]

Your Safety Hammerless was shipped in 1910-1911 timeframe. Value is always best determined by very carefully assessing the condition. You could see these guns approaching $1000 if in perfect condition, but value drops off quickly with just a few percentage points of wear, all the way down to a $100 beater.

 

[srp707]

Hello I am new here and I have a 38 S&W Lemon Squeezer It was my fathers gun and as I understand it the gun was given to him by his father.. I got it after dad passed away!! It is Nickel with black rubber grips the gun looks to be in very good shape everything is tight and to my knowledge hasn't been shot much at all in my 45 years..It has a 3 inch barrel and the serial #222530.Any info on possibly when it was made would be appreciated greatly..I am seeing here that the guns value is in the ballpark of 200 to 400 dollers..But would really like to know how old it is..thanks so much!!

Serial Number Data This is a very helpfull web site for any one.