Grandmother's revolver

markc85038 · November 16, 2012, 02:56 AM

Can someone help me with this? My grandmother has an old S&W revolver. I believe it is.32 cal and is a nickel plated top break. Serial is 2266xx. I can't find a model number listed on it anywhere. Any info provided would be greatly appreciate.

Creeper · November 16, 2012, 03:15 AM

Welcome to the asylum Mark.

I see you have the same question posted on the S&W Forums.com... chances are, once you post photos and it's established as to what model it is, you'll get a highly accurate determination there.

Cheers,
C

carguychris · November 16, 2012, 03:32 PM

Does the gun display the actual intertwined "S&W" trademark on the sideplate or the grips? Many 19th-century top-break revolvers from a variety of other gunmakers were built to use S&W cartridges, but the caliber marking on the barrel often misleads modern-day owners who know little about older revolvers. In fact, some makers would deliberately exaggerate the size of the caliber marking to trick buyers into believing they were purchasing a genuine S&W.

If it is a genuine S&W... does it have a visible hammer? If so, is it single-action, i.e. must be hand-cocked, or double-action, i.e. the trigger both lifts and drops the hammer?

TWO IMPORTANT WARNINGS:

Make sure you verify that the gun is unloaded and pointed in a safe direction before attempting to cock the hammer or pull the trigger!

If you intend to shoot it, read my warning statement in the following link:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...4&postcount=16

markc85038 · November 23, 2012, 12:36 AM

Thanks for the reply. I just got an opportunity to take some pics of the gun. I have attached them here. Hopefully this will help in providing info on this gun. It belonged to my great grandfather before passing on to my grandmother in 1934.

Hawg Haggen · November 23, 2012, 01:11 AM

Its a S&W DA third model. The left grip is from an Iver Johnson.

**Tom Servo** · November 23, 2012, 01:41 AM

Serial number appears to place it right at the turn of the century. It's been renickeled.

OntheFrontLines · November 23, 2012, 03:36 AM

(y)

baddarryl · November 24, 2012, 12:21 AM

Talk about cool!

EdInk · November 25, 2012, 11:42 AM

That's a pretty cool old gun. I would look for a replacement pair of original S&W grips (or at least on for the one side.) Have a gunsmith look it over beforehand and if everything checks out it should be okay to shoot with some mild ammo. As mentioned earlier, it has been re-nickeled.

Winchester_73 · November 25, 2012, 12:33 PM

Quote:

My grandmother has an old S&W revolver. I believe it is.32 cal and is a nickel plated top break. Serial is 2266xx.

This info added to the pics make it a 38 S&W DA 3rd model. The gun is re-nickeled and is also an antique. Third model DAs were made 1884 - 1895 per the SCSW 3rd.

Quote:

Serial number appears to place it right at the turn of the century.

Since its actually a 38 DA 3rd model, its a little earlier. For 226XXX I would say early 1890s for its DOM.

Quote:

Its a S&W DA third model.

I assume you knew it was a 38 S&W, but if it was a 32 S&W with that SN range, it would be a 4th model.

I actually collect these. I really like them and they are still affordable. Here are my 38 S&W top breaks.

markc85038 · December 1, 2012, 10:22 AM

Thanks for all of your replies. I really do appreciate the help.

November 16, 2012, 02:56 AM	#1
markc85038 Junior Member Join Date: November 15, 2012 Posts: 3	Grandmother's revolver Can someone help me with this? My grandmother has an old S&W revolver. I believe it is.32 cal and is a nickel plated top break. Serial is 2266xx. I can't find a model number listed on it anywhere. Any info provided would be greatly appreciate.

November 16, 2012, 03:15 AM	#2
Creeper Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: Woooooshington Posts: 1,797	Welcome to the asylum Mark. I see you have the same question posted on the S&W Forums.com... chances are, once you post photos and it's established as to what model it is, you'll get a highly accurate determination there. Cheers, C __________________ Shoulder Drive Nicholson Club

November 16, 2012, 03:32 PM	#3
carguychris Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2007 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 4,682	Does the gun display the actual intertwined "S&W" trademark on the sideplate or the grips? Many 19th-century top-break revolvers from a variety of other gunmakers were built to use S&W cartridges, but the caliber marking on the barrel often misleads modern-day owners who know little about older revolvers. In fact, some makers would deliberately exaggerate the size of the caliber marking to trick buyers into believing they were purchasing a genuine S&W. If it is a genuine S&W... does it have a visible hammer? If so, is it single-action, i.e. must be hand-cocked, or double-action, i.e. the trigger both lifts and drops the hammer? TWO IMPORTANT WARNINGS: Make sure you verify that the gun is unloaded and pointed in a safe direction before attempting to cock the hammer or pull the trigger! If you intend to shoot it, read my warning statement in the following link: http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...4&postcount=16 __________________ "Smokey, this is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules... MARK IT ZERO!!" - Walter Sobchak Last edited by carguychris; November 16, 2012 at 03:35 PM. Reason: minor reword...

November 23, 2012, 01:11 AM	#5
Hawg Haggen Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 10,381	Its a S&W DA third model. The left grip is from an Iver Johnson. __________________ http://blackpowdertimes.com/index.php

November 23, 2012, 01:41 AM	#6
Tom Servo Staff Join Date: September 27, 2008 Location: Foothills of the Appalach Posts: 7,344	Serial number appears to place it right at the turn of the century. It's been renickeled. __________________ In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. --Albert Camus

November 23, 2012, 03:36 AM	#7
OntheFrontLines Junior Member Join Date: November 15, 2011 Posts: 8	(y)

November 24, 2012, 12:21 AM	#8
baddarryl Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Posts: 628	Talk about cool!

November 25, 2012, 11:42 AM	#9
EdInk Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2009 Posts: 3,902	That's a pretty cool old gun. I would look for a replacement pair of original S&W grips (or at least on for the one side.) Have a gunsmith look it over beforehand and if everything checks out it should be okay to shoot with some mild ammo. As mentioned earlier, it has been re-nickeled. __________________ Sic Semper Tyrannis

December 1, 2012, 10:22 AM	#11
markc85038 Junior Member Join Date: November 15, 2012 Posts: 3	Thanks for all of your replies. I really do appreciate the help.