smith and wesson top break?

bamajvc · April 26, 2010, 01:41 AM

can anyone give me any info on this gun? its in terrible shape, looks like almost blew up at one time.
SN: 274258 Other Info
Smith&Wesson Springfield Mass. U.S.A. PAT'D Jan24.65
July.11.65 Aug.24.69 REISSUE July.25.71 May11.80 Jan.3.82

Tidewater_Kid · April 26, 2010, 07:02 PM

Looks like one of these. Look about halfway down.

S&W .44 Double Action - First Model

http://www.armchairgunshow.com/otsBA_S_W_Americans.htm

TK

kraigwy · April 26, 2010, 08:03 PM

My great grandfather gave this to my grandfather when he left home as a kid to work the ranches. Been handed down, and will go to my oldest son.

Model #3, 44 russian 5 didget serial number. w/target sights. My grandfather cut down the barrel.

James K · April 26, 2010, 09:17 PM

Hi, bamajvc,

You don't mention the caliber, but I am pretty sure it is not .44. The picture is poor, but it looks to be a .38 Double Action, Third Model, and that serial number would fit.

There were some 203,700 Third Models made between 1884 and 1895, out of a total of over 554,000 for the entire .38 Double Action run.

With so many made, they bring decent prices only if in near new condition; as far as I can tell from the picture, yours would be essentially of no value, maybe a nominal $50 as a parts gun. A shame.

Jim

Tidewater_Kid · April 27, 2010, 05:53 PM

I was basing my guess from the shape of the trigger guard. I see that the .38 has the same trigger guard. From the poor picture, it's hard to tell.

TK

bamajvc · April 29, 2010, 03:49 PM

I figured it wasn't worth anything as the condition is terrible. I was just curious about its year and model. It doesn't have a caliber stamped on it anywhere. I thought it was a .32, could be a .38 though.

April 26, 2010, 01:41 AM	#1
bamajvc Member Join Date: April 26, 2010 Posts: 19	smith and wesson top break? can anyone give me any info on this gun? its in terrible shape, looks like almost blew up at one time. SN: 274258 Other Info Smith&Wesson Springfield Mass. U.S.A. PAT'D Jan24.65 July.11.65 Aug.24.69 REISSUE July.25.71 May11.80 Jan.3.82

April 29, 2010, 03:49 PM	#6
bamajvc Member Join Date: April 26, 2010 Posts: 19	thanks guys I figured it wasn't worth anything as the condition is terrible. I was just curious about its year and model. It doesn't have a caliber stamped on it anywhere. I thought it was a .32, could be a .38 though.

April 26, 2010, 07:02 PM	#2
Tidewater_Kid Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 925	Looks like one of these. Look about halfway down. S&W .44 Double Action - First Model http://www.armchairgunshow.com/otsBA_S_W_Americans.htm TK

April 26, 2010, 08:03 PM	#3
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	My great grandfather gave this to my grandfather when he left home as a kid to work the ranches. Been handed down, and will go to my oldest son. Model #3, 44 russian 5 didget serial number. w/target sights. My grandfather cut down the barrel. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

April 26, 2010, 09:17 PM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Hi, bamajvc, You don't mention the caliber, but I am pretty sure it is not .44. The picture is poor, but it looks to be a .38 Double Action, Third Model, and that serial number would fit. There were some 203,700 Third Models made between 1884 and 1895, out of a total of over 554,000 for the entire .38 Double Action run. With so many made, they bring decent prices only if in near new condition; as far as I can tell from the picture, yours would be essentially of no value, maybe a nominal $50 as a parts gun. A shame. Jim

April 27, 2010, 05:53 PM	#5
Tidewater_Kid Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 925	I was basing my guess from the shape of the trigger guard. I see that the .38 has the same trigger guard. From the poor picture, it's hard to tell. TK