Smith & Wesson 1898 revolver

[ktaylor1025]

My dad has a Smith & Wesson 1898 revolver that we are trying to find out more about. We're just wondering how to find out the value and verify the authenticity of it by searching the serial number. Can anyone direct me to a site where I can search the serial number?

Thanks

[youngunz4life]

Sir, can you post a picture and/or provide any other pertinent information on the said firearm?

[carguychris]

S&W ID guide I posted in a past thread, with a couple of minor tweaks...

Back in the old days, S&W built many different models of handguns with the same overlapping serial number ranges. A positive ID from the serial number alone is often impossible. In order to get a correct ID, please answer the following questions:

1) Does the cylinder swing out to the left (known as a Hand Ejector)? If not, do you open it by tilting the barrel up (known as a tip-up), or by tilting the barrel down and the cylinder up (known as a top-break)?

2) How many rounds does it hold?

3) Where did you read the serial number? The definitive location for S&W serial numbers is either the bottom of the butt (normal) or on the front of the grip frame beneath the trigger guard (uncommon). It may be necessary to remove the grips to view the butt. On older guns, the serial number is often repeated on the cylinder face and/or underneath the barrel, but this is not universal. Other numbers on the gun are assembly numbers that mean nothing after the gun left the factory.

4) Does the serial number have any alphabetical prefixes? Although there may be some space between the prefix and the numerical portion, the prefix is an integral part of the serial number.

5) What exactly does the caliber inscription on the barrel say? Don't try to interpret it, please just write it verbatim. The exact wording can help with identification because S&W used different nomenclature at different times.

6) Does the gun actually have an intertwined "S&W" logo on the side? What do the grips look like- material, inscriptions, etc?

7) If the gun is a top-break, is it double-action (the hammer self-cocks when you pull the trigger) or single-action (the hammer must be manually thumb-cocked before firing)? (Somewhat obvious safety note: Unless you intend to shoot something, always verify that a revolver is empty before thumb-cocking it or pulling the trigger! Don't assume that it was stored unloaded or that the ammo "went bad"! Metallic cartridge ammo can last for generations if it's stored in a dry environment.)

8) If it's a double-action top-break, does it have a visible hammer?

9) Pictures are very helpful.