What did I end up with at auction

[1977cutcher]

Hello, I ended up with revolver at a local firearms auction about a year ago. Did not know anything about it, mostly just bid on it to keep the auction moving and ended up winning it with the opening bid. Trying to figure out what it is I bought and google searches ended up confusing me. Double / single action with about a 3&3/8" barrel. I believe it is probably 38 S&W short as 32 is to small and 38 special is obviously to long. Nickeled gun that has well used. Thank you in advance.

 

[cruiserdan]

.38 Special on the left. .38 Smith & Wesson on the right.

 

[murphydog]

It’s a .38 Double Action. The serial number from the flat bottom of the grip frame posted here would give you its approximate age .

 

[glowe]

You have what collectors call a 38 Double Action, 4th Model, of which almost 200,000 were made. In total, all 38 DA models totaled over 550,000. Your revolver was shipped around 1906-1907 so is considered a modern firearm by the BATF. That revolver has what the factory said was 3 1/4" long.

There are a few things going against this example. The condition is rough, the 38 DA sold over half-million so plentiful, and the modern 38 DAs are less desirable to collectors than the antique 39 DAs,. Caliber is anemic and much less popular that its successor - the 38 Special. I would value it at or under $200.

 

[Alk8944]

In the photos the barrel caliber marking is clearly .38 S&W Ctg. Why was there a question??

 

[1977cutcher]

In the photos the barrel caliber marking is clearly .38 S&W Ctg. Why was there a question??

I was not able to clearly read it, thank you for clearing it up for me.