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Radagast · July 15, 2009, 07:33 AM

Jackyl: Gun number three is a S&W .38 double action 4th Model. Manufactured between 1895 & 1909 in the serial number range 322701 to 539000. Your example with serial number 348xxx is a pre-1898 antique per BATF regulations, all guns of this model made prior to serial number 382022 are pre-1898, so yours is from the period 1895 to 1898.

This gun would have been made to shoot black powder .38 S&W cartridges. Modern smokeless ammunition will function in the gun, but will probably wear it out faster. If you are going to shoot it I suggest you get some black powder reloads.

July 15, 2009, 07:33 AM	#1659
Radagast Senior Member Join Date: July 13, 2001 Posts: 449	Jackyl: Gun number three is a S&W .38 double action 4th Model. Manufactured between 1895 & 1909 in the serial number range 322701 to 539000. Your example with serial number 348xxx is a pre-1898 antique per BATF regulations, all guns of this model made prior to serial number 382022 are pre-1898, so yours is from the period 1895 to 1898. This gun would have been made to shoot black powder .38 S&W cartridges. Modern smokeless ammunition will function in the gun, but will probably wear it out faster. If you are going to shoot it I suggest you get some black powder reloads.