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Old March 12, 2011, 05:09 PM   #1
r042069
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VERY OLD s&w HELP PLEASE

i have found a very old s&w 38 revolver

the serial number is on the handle under the trigger gaurd

i dont know anything about guns but it looks really old

i would like tto know what i found

the serial number is 30555

it also has p-38 on it

dont have any pictures

but he hammer has a cone like spike

and theres just like a little cuttout on the side to put the bullets in but no cover just an open spot

any help would be appreciated
it needs some repairs and i would like to know if it would be worth putting any money into
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Old March 12, 2011, 05:17 PM   #2
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A pic would really help,,,

A pic would really help,,,

Any number of can try to help you if we knew what it looked like.

Aarond
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Old March 12, 2011, 05:30 PM   #3
r042069
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try

i will try to upload some from my blackberry cant guarantee the quality

have browsed thru thousands of pics on google but havent seen one yet

some of the most distinguishing points thogh are ....

the chamber is very crude looking

the trigger is so very close to the back of the trigger guard

on the grips(dont know if theyre original or not) there is a target with three holes shot in it
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Old March 12, 2011, 06:55 PM   #4
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Doesn't sound like a S&W revolver.

More likely that it's a 38 S&W caliber, (many guns were chambered in 38 S&W) but the gun is from a different company.

From the description, it sounds kind of like a very old H&R , Hopkins & Allen, or something similar to that.
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Old March 12, 2011, 07:13 PM   #5
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If it looks "generally crude" and "old" at the same time, and looks at least vaguely like an American design, bet on a pre-WW2 Spanish critter. Tons of that crap made it's way in. They were junk when new and haven't improved with age. They were the "Taurus/Rossi/Armscor" of their day but nowhere near as well made as any of those.
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Old March 12, 2011, 08:50 PM   #6
DPris
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Are you sure it's even a revolver?
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Old March 14, 2011, 11:39 AM   #7
Winchester_73
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Quote:
Are you sure it's even a revolver?
Denis
Well this statement by the OP narrows it down to a revolver:

Quote:
and theres just like a little cuttout on the side to put the bullets in but no cover just an open spot
+1 on Jim March and Savit 260 - no S&W that I can remember had a loading notch for the cylinder. They were swing out cylinder or top break or tip up (earliest) for the most part.
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Old March 14, 2011, 11:48 AM   #8
aarondhgraham
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I may be wrong,,,

But wasn't the target with three bullet holes an H&R Logo?

Aarond
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Old March 14, 2011, 12:01 PM   #9
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Some of the older H&R's had grips with a target with holes in it but I was thinking it was six holes, not three. It's most likely an H&R chambered for .38 S&W.
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Old March 14, 2011, 04:52 PM   #10
r042069
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pic

this is the best i can do

Attached Images
File Type: jpg 0312150031[1].jpg (169.2 KB, 311 views)
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Old March 14, 2011, 05:47 PM   #11
Hawg
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Looks like an H&R Victor.
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Old March 14, 2011, 06:52 PM   #12
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I don't know what it is but I do know it's not a Smith and Wesson.
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Old March 14, 2011, 09:13 PM   #13
32 Magnum
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It IS an H&R "Victor" - there are 5 "holes" in the target. No flutes in the cylinder and round barrel are give-away. It looks to be a Model 1904 derived revolver with the oversized, wrap around "Target Grips". If .38 S&W it will be a 5 shooter. To remove the cylinder, push in on the "blade" on the front of the frame and while holding that in - pull the cylinder pin out of the frame.
The "cone" on the hammer is the firing pin. Probable production era for that serial number is mid 19 teens. RETAIL Value - depending upon condition (which can't be told from the picture) would top out around $150 - $175 in EXCELLENT condition. Average Retail for Average condition examples will be in the $100 to $120 range. Junkers bring about $25 - 35 for parts.

NOTE: the cartridge is the .38 S&W NOT the .38 S&W SPECIAL. Seek professional help/evaluation (of your gun) before attempting to fire.
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Old March 14, 2011, 09:47 PM   #14
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Winchester,
"Just a little hole on the side to put bullets in" could as easily be an ejection port for somebody very unfamiliar with handguns.
"P-38" is also not a standard revolver marking, whereas....
But, the photo helps.
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Old March 14, 2011, 11:18 PM   #15
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Quote:
Winchester,
"Just a little hole on the side to put bullets in" could as easily be an ejection port for somebody very unfamiliar with handguns.
"P-38" is also not a standard revolver marking, whereas....
But, the photo helps.
I completely disagree. If you read between the lines, no auto that I've ever saw, heard of or read about fits the description unless its homemade or broken, and even then, its a stretch to say its possibly an auto. Here is why:

Quote:
i have found a very old s&w 38 revolver
Hmmmmm......you think this still could be an automatic? A 38 cal automatic - ya there's the 38 super, 38 special autos (midrange wadcutter) but where would the "S&W" come from? A model 52 maybe? Ok...I'll give you this one.
The term revolver itself involves a cylinder. Based on the OPs post, its a big assumption to think that the person doesn't know a revolver from an automatic, but moving on...

Quote:
it also has p-38 on it
And you said...

Quote:
"P-38" is also not a standard revolver marking, whereas....
An actual P38 pistol does not have a "side ejection" port that traditional autos have and as far as I know, no other automatics have "P-38" on them other than the 1938 world famous technological marvel itself and even then, there is no dash, its simply "P38" or "P 38" (spaced).

Quote:
but he hammer has a cone like spike
(the hammer)

When was the last time you saw an auto with a hammer MOUNTED firing pin? I can't recall any myself.

Quote:
the serial number is on the handle under the trigger gaurd
In this statement the OP is referring to the front strap. Judging by his choice of words, he is inferring that this is the only place where the SN is. Can you name an auto that only has the SN on the front strap? I cannot.

Quote:
cuttout on the side to put the bullets in but no cover just an open spot
For it to be an auto after this statement, it would probably have to be broken because on any auto I've saw or owned, when the slide is fully forward, the chamber is no longer exposed, in the sense that you cannot see all of it IE you cannot see if a bullet is in the chamber or not from the side. I suppose a 1911 for example would not technically have a "cover" for the ejection port, but if it was closed, then the barrel would be there obstructing the "open slot" anyways. I guess this one could go either way.

Hey, I'm just sayin...
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Old March 16, 2011, 12:57 AM   #16
DPris
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Geeze Winchester,
That's a half hour out of your life you'll never get back.

Considering I've heard people use the terms "revolver" and "automatic" interchangeably in ignorance for many years, and the way the OP was showing a marked unfamiliarity with guns in general, I've see stranger things occur on gun forums when new people give descriptions too vague to be definitive.
As I said- now that he's posted a picture, progress has been made.
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Old March 16, 2011, 01:01 AM   #17
Winchester_73
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You could say I wasted 30 min - its a hyperbole, I know - but didn't you waste your time with your first post when there was plenty of evidence that made the gun a revolver? Isn't your 2nd post a waste as well when READING the posts by the OP proves my point?
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Old March 16, 2011, 12:27 PM   #18
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