Would like to know year mfg & model .38cal Top-Break

[halfdeaded]

My girlfriend's aunt gave her this revolver.
1) Top-Break
2) s# - 74xxx
3) 5 round, .38 cal
4) 3¼" Barrel
5) Fixed Sights
6) Hammerless
If you need more pictures or information, let me know.

Thank You in advance for the help...ed

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! You have a .38 Safety Hammerless from about 1894. Collectors call it a third model due to various changes from previous versions. It was first made in 1887 and was produced until sometime in the 1930s, but was available until 1940.

It looks to be in better than average condition for its age (think black powder, wet holsters and bubbling pitted nickel finishes). Hope this is helpful.

 

[halfdeaded]

Thank You for the quick reply.
It is in pretty good condition. It was originally her great grandmothers, passed down through the generations. Her aunt had the local gun smith inspect & test fire it. He told her it was in real good condition, with no barrel pitting. It came with 2 boxes of Remington .38 S&W 146g Lead bullets.
Are these good for anything besides practice?

Again, Thank You in advance for taking the time to answer my questions ...ed

 

[murphydog]

The ammunition you mention is the current standard factory offering for the .38 S & W, intentionally loaded light for older guns (probably does about 600 fps). With handloading and in a stronger gun a more potent load can be used, but that is about it safety-wise for an older top-break revolver. Wouldn't volunteer to be shot with one in any case .

 

[Biggfoot44]

140 years ago, .38S&W and ballistically identical rounds were intended to be reasonably adaquate defensive/ millitary rounds.

The loads mentioned are just as effective today as they were at the tail end of the break top era +/- WWII era .

That said, while I don't willingly step in front of one, there are a multitude of better defensive choices in recent generations.

 

[merl67]

Tell your girlfriend that is a beauty and keep it in the family.

 

[halfdeaded]

Tell your girlfriend that is a beauty and keep it in the family.

She has already said that her daughter is the next owner and her grandson after that. They are shooting enthusiasts, and know the importance of keeping things "in the family".
Plus, it's been taken care of, with years of service left.
Hope to get to the range within the next couple of weeks to see how this as well as a couple of others that were also left to her perform.

 

[halfdeaded]

That said, while I don't willingly step in front of one, there are a multitude of better defensive choices in recent generations.

I don't think I would either, at least not willingly.
I just wonder what would be a better, yet safe to use for self defense, in something that is this old?

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! You will not be able to find anything other than standard pressure commercial ammo for that top break. .38 S&W was never loaded to +P or made into hollow point as far as I know. Never the less, as a SD round, it is likely as deadly as a .380 or .32 ACP. The disadvantage being it only holds 5 cartridges. Yes, you can probably reload and up the pressure, but I wouldn't. The gun is not strong enough to withstand a lot of over pressure loads. Remember, this gun was made in the 19th Century. It would be better to put it in a shadow box and buy another gun for self defense than to destroy it with more powerful ammo.

 

[glowe]

Not quite true Guy. There are some companies out there that load a very hot round in many old vintage calibers, including 38 S&W. Why they do this is a mystery to me, but companies like Buffalo Bore make gorilla loads for almost all calibers - stay away from them with all top-break S&Ws.

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=350

 

[Wiregrassguy]

It crossed my mind that Buffalo Bore probably did, but you don't run into it at the LGS or big box stores...at least in my area.

 

[murphydog]

Not quite true Guy. There are some companies out there that load a very hot round in many old vintage calibers, including 38 S&W. Why they do this is a mystery to me, but companies like Buffalo Bore make gorilla loads for almost all calibers - stay away from them with all top-break S&Ws.

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=350

The point about not using these in older top breaks (Enfield and Webley models from WW II) is highly prudent and recommended. Their phrase "lethal to humans" makes me cringe slightly...unless it refers to swallowing them and getting lead poisoning...

 

[halfdeaded]

Thank You very much gentlemen for the information. It will keep friends of the family from dropping off ammo that they don't use any more, telling her that fmj or hollow points are the only way to go for self defense. I re-assured her that my Glock 17 that she got me for Christmas, and my Mossberg 500 would do just fine if the need ever rears it's ugly head.
I pray that day never comes, but I train for it none the less...