Old S&W break top revolver questions

cplane · April 10, 2002, 03:50 PM

Well, Today was my Birthday. My brother gave me an old S&W 38 that has the lemon squeeze handle and it breaks down like a shotgun. It is hamerless and is still very tight despite some minor pitting and the checkering on the handles being worn smooth . The patent dates on the top of the barrel have Feb 77, Dec77,May80,Sept. 83, TWO, Aug84. Could someone give me the lowdown on this old snubby?I would like to know when they quit making them and if there were any problems with them. Would it be something I would want to shoot? Or just put it up? Whats it worth?--Thanks in advance, I will try posting some pics and if that don't work, I will put a link to some pics.

Jim Watson · April 10, 2002, 05:42 PM

You have a S&W Safety Hammerless Double Action .38 S&W. They very popular and were sold from 1887 til 1940! Nearly half a million .32s and .38s were made in five models which differed mostly in the top latch.

Not many probems, they were apparently a better gun than the exposed hammer S&W top-breaks as made from 1880 til 1911.

Of course they are an old design of old or very old manufacture. You are pretty much on your own to shoot it. But I shoot my even older .38 Single Action with factory .38 S&W ammo, and many Cowboy shooters do likewise.

Book value $200 and up, but not way up, depending on condition and exact model.

C.R.Sam · April 10, 2002, 06:14 PM

Shouldn't fit, but might in any particular gun, do NOT fire .38special ammo in it. .38S&W only.

Sam

cplane · April 10, 2002, 06:36 PM

Thanks for the info guys. You are right about the ammo Sam, I am sitting here with a brand new box of winchester winclean 38 special, And it won't fit all the way into the cylinder! Oh well, I don't need to shoot it anyway. I guess my wife can use the ammo for her Taurus UL. It would be great if these little S&W's were still being produced with modern materials. Thanks again for the info--

Jim Keenan · April 10, 2002, 09:31 PM

It is a bit hard to tell from the pics, but I think that is the .38 Safety second model. If so, the serial number should be between about 5125 and 42483, probably in the lower part of that series, and the gun was made between 1887 and 1890.

The only drawback to shooting those guns is that they are old and fragile and parts are almost non-existent.

There are modern concealed hammer S&W revolvers with the grip safety, but they are of the much stronger swing-out cylinder type, not the old top break.

Jim

**Mike Irwin** · April 10, 2002, 10:22 PM

These guns are also known as the "New Departure" model, as the hammerless configuration was a totally new type of action for the company.

A friend of mine just bought a CHERRY .32 New Departure 3rd Model, nickled. It is SUCH a trip to shoot!

What's the serial number, and I should be able to nail the year of production down fairly well.

As for ammo, the proper ammo, .38 S&W, is still loaded. You might have to hunt around to find it, but it's out there.

**Mike Irwin** · April 11, 2002, 02:56 PM

Cplane,

Given the serial number that you sent me, 35XXX, I'd say your gun was made in either 1889 or 1890.

As Jim surmised, the serial number makes it a 2nd model.

This definitely puts them in the "black powder" category for ammo. Later guns were a little stronger, given the higher pressures generated by smokeless.

You can find parts for these guns, but some of the parts on the 2nd models are a little different, and as it's older, are harder to find.

If you do decide to shoot it, only shoot it with VERY light loads of smokeless powder, and quite frankly I don't think I'd shoot it at all.

cplane · April 11, 2002, 08:31 PM

Thanks Mike, I don't think I will shoot this one. I guess I'll just have to stick to my new Wilson CQB

Bummer, Huh?!

Jim Keenan · April 11, 2002, 11:56 PM

I definitely think I would stick to the CQB! But modern factory ammo for the .38 S&W is loaded to the same pressure level as the black powder loads, and should be perfectly OK for the old S&W and it won't damage the gun. The problem is that it probably won't damage anything else very much either, although the British used the .38/200 (of about the same power) as their military pistol load in WWII. (I guess the British, having a reputation for gentleness, didn't want to hurt anybody.)

Jim

pilot08 · February 25, 2008, 08:33 AM

I have an old S&W Squeeze handle .38 that looks alot like the one in the picture posted earlier. However it's nickle and the handles are pearl. The serial number I have is 181xxx do you know anything about it.

djc295 · November 2, 2009, 08:38 PM

I have a S&W 38 revolver that is similar to the one in the picture that is posted here. I will post a new picture of mine. The serial number is 55015 and I was wondering how to find out information on this gun. It belonged to my grandfather and want to know about how much it is worth and when it was built.
I have nto fired it and it has not been fired in many many years.
Thanks

laytonj1 · November 2, 2009, 10:12 PM

Quote:

I have a S&W 38 revolver that is similar to the one in the picture that is posted here. I will post a new picture of mine. The serial number is 55015 and I was wondering how to find out information on this gun. It belonged to my grandfather and want to know about how much it is worth and when it was built.
I have nto fired it and it has not been fired in many many years.
Thanks

You have a .38 Double Action Perfected Model (last top break revolver introduced by S&W).
Serial numbers ran fron 1 in 1909 to 59400 in 1920. The book shows values from $275 in "fine" to $1100 in "as new"

Jim

djc295 · November 11, 2009, 04:48 AM

CAn you tell me about what year this was made?
What book are you looking in to find the value?
is this something I can look at

Radagast · November 16, 2009, 06:10 AM

djc295: The book is the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson by Supica & Nahas. Prices are expected prices in 2006 and current prices may vary by region and due to the time since publication. The book doesn't give serial numbers by year for those models. To find out the exact shipping date and where it was shipped to you would need to fork out $50 to have Roy Jinks at S&W look up the original shipping records.

Jim Keenan · November 16, 2009, 09:26 PM

I don't vouch for all this, but FWIW:

In the days of break top revolvers, there seems to have been a lot of concern that in close quarters combat an enemy could grab the top latch and open the gun, thus unloading it and rendering it harmless. Gen. Schofield apparently was so concerned about "latch snatching" that he redesigned the latch and got S&W to make modified guns called the "Schofield Model". He also had enough influence with the Army to get them to adopt the gun for use alongside the Colt Model 1873, and to make a common cartridge.

Then S&W became concerned once again about those nefarious latch snatchers, this time sneaky bad guys who supposedly grabbed police revolvers. The result was the Perfected, which had both a top latch and the new type push release. The user had to operate both together to open the gun, thus frustrating that nasty latch grabber.

Some folks are under the impression that the Perfected was a prelude to the swing cylinder hand ejectors and that the lower latch was adapted from the Perfected. In fact, the Perfected did not come out until 1909, seven years after the Model 1902 HE, which was the first gun to use that push button.

It seems more likely that the Perfected was something of a last gasp attempt by S&W to give the top break a few more years of life, though ultimately some stayed in the line into the late 1930's. But not the Perfected; it lasted only until 1920, with some 59,400 made. It is a highly desireable collector's item today.

Jim

April 10, 2002, 09:31 PM	#5
Jim Keenan Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 10,621	It is a bit hard to tell from the pics, but I think that is the .38 Safety second model. If so, the serial number should be between about 5125 and 42483, probably in the lower part of that series, and the gun was made between 1887 and 1890. The only drawback to shooting those guns is that they are old and fragile and parts are almost non-existent. There are modern concealed hammer S&W revolvers with the grip safety, but they are of the much stronger swing-out cylinder type, not the old top break. Jim __________________ Jim Keenan

April 10, 2002, 10:22 PM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 21,169	These guns are also known as the "New Departure" model, as the hammerless configuration was a totally new type of action for the company. A friend of mine just bought a CHERRY .32 New Departure 3rd Model, nickled. It is SUCH a trip to shoot! What's the serial number, and I should be able to nail the year of production down fairly well. As for ammo, the proper ammo, .38 S&W, is still loaded. You might have to hunt around to find it, but it's out there. __________________ Coworkers. A convenient source of food in a post apocalyptic world.

April 11, 2002, 02:56 PM	#7
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 21,169	Cplane, Given the serial number that you sent me, 35XXX, I'd say your gun was made in either 1889 or 1890. As Jim surmised, the serial number makes it a 2nd model. This definitely puts them in the "black powder" category for ammo. Later guns were a little stronger, given the higher pressures generated by smokeless. You can find parts for these guns, but some of the parts on the 2nd models are a little different, and as it's older, are harder to find. If you do decide to shoot it, only shoot it with VERY light loads of smokeless powder, and quite frankly I don't think I'd shoot it at all. __________________ Coworkers. A convenient source of food in a post apocalyptic world.

April 11, 2002, 11:56 PM	#9
Jim Keenan Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 10,621	I definitely think I would stick to the CQB! But modern factory ammo for the .38 S&W is loaded to the same pressure level as the black powder loads, and should be perfectly OK for the old S&W and it won't damage the gun. The problem is that it probably won't damage anything else very much either, although the British used the .38/200 (of about the same power) as their military pistol load in WWII. (I guess the British, having a reputation for gentleness, didn't want to hurt anybody.) Jim __________________ Jim Keenan

February 25, 2008, 08:33 AM	#10
pilot08 Junior Member Join Date: February 24, 2008 Posts: 2	Hello I have an old S&W Squeeze handle .38 that looks alot like the one in the picture posted earlier. However it's nickle and the handles are pearl. The serial number I have is 181xxx do you know anything about it.

April 10, 2002, 05:42 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 6,220	You have a S&W Safety Hammerless Double Action .38 S&W. They very popular and were sold from 1887 til 1940! Nearly half a million .32s and .38s were made in five models which differed mostly in the top latch. Not many probems, they were apparently a better gun than the exposed hammer S&W top-breaks as made from 1880 til 1911. Of course they are an old design of old or very old manufacture. You are pretty much on your own to shoot it. But I shoot my even older .38 Single Action with factory .38 S&W ammo, and many Cowboy shooters do likewise. Book value $200 and up, but not way up, depending on condition and exact model.

April 10, 2002, 06:14 PM	#3
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,876	Shouldn't fit, but might in any particular gun, do NOT fire .38special ammo in it. .38S&W only. Sam

April 10, 2002, 06:36 PM	#4
cplane Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2000 Location: Upstate SC USA Posts: 247	Thanks for the info guys. You are right about the ammo Sam, I am sitting here with a brand new box of winchester winclean 38 special, And it won't fit all the way into the cylinder! Oh well, I don't need to shoot it anyway. I guess my wife can use the ammo for her Taurus UL. It would be great if these little S&W's were still being produced with modern materials. Thanks again for the info--

April 11, 2002, 08:31 PM	#8
cplane Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2000 Location: Upstate SC USA Posts: 247	Thanks Mike, I don't think I will shoot this one. I guess I'll just have to stick to my new Wilson CQB Bummer, Huh?!

November 11, 2009, 04:48 AM	#13
djc295 Junior Member Join Date: November 2, 2009 Posts: 2	CAn you tell me about what year this was made? What book are you looking in to find the value? is this something I can look at

November 16, 2009, 06:10 AM	#14
Radagast Senior Member Join Date: July 13, 2001 Posts: 390	djc295: The book is the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson by Supica & Nahas. Prices are expected prices in 2006 and current prices may vary by region and due to the time since publication. The book doesn't give serial numbers by year for those models. To find out the exact shipping date and where it was shipped to you would need to fork out $50 to have Roy Jinks at S&W look up the original shipping records.

November 16, 2009, 09:26 PM	#15
Jim Keenan Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 10,621	I don't vouch for all this, but FWIW: In the days of break top revolvers, there seems to have been a lot of concern that in close quarters combat an enemy could grab the top latch and open the gun, thus unloading it and rendering it harmless. Gen. Schofield apparently was so concerned about "latch snatching" that he redesigned the latch and got S&W to make modified guns called the "Schofield Model". He also had enough influence with the Army to get them to adopt the gun for use alongside the Colt Model 1873, and to make a common cartridge. Then S&W became concerned once again about those nefarious latch snatchers, this time sneaky bad guys who supposedly grabbed police revolvers. The result was the Perfected, which had both a top latch and the new type push release. The user had to operate both together to open the gun, thus frustrating that nasty latch grabber. Some folks are under the impression that the Perfected was a prelude to the swing cylinder hand ejectors and that the lower latch was adapted from the Perfected. In fact, the Perfected did not come out until 1909, seven years after the Model 1902 HE, which was the first gun to use that push button. It seems more likely that the Perfected was something of a last gasp attempt by S&W to give the top break a few more years of life, though ultimately some stayed in the line into the late 1930's. But not the Perfected; it lasted only until 1920, with some 59,400 made. It is a highly desireable collector's item today. Jim __________________ Jim Keenan