[Yosemite Sam]

My dad just came back with my late great-grandmother's revolver. Not sure what to make of it. What is it? Oh, and what's the best thing to use to clean it? I have Hoppe's #9, CLP, and Rem Oil. Probably been decades since it was fired or cleaned.

Thanks.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h8/mrjickles/THR/IMG_0669.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h8/mrjickles/THR/IMG_0672.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h8/mrjickles/THR/IMG_0675.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h8/mrjickles/THR/IMG_0676.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h8/mrjickles/THR/IMG_0677.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h8/mrjickles/THR/IMG_0678.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h8/mrjickles/THR/IMG_0679.jpg

[ArchAngelCD]

In my untrained opinion that looks like a .38 Safety 3rd Model. That serial number puts it from 1890 to 1898. (42484-116002)

I would use only Rem Oil and I would not fire it even though it shoots the .38 S&W which is a low pressure round. Remember, that's a .38 S&W, not a .38 S&W Special round.

[Radagast]

ArchAngelMD is correct, it is a S&W .38 Safety Hammerless 3rd Model. Apart from the serial number being in the correct range, the cylinder catch is correct for that model.

These were black powder guns, a little firing with modern ammunition would probably be OK, but I would personally stick to black powder handloads.

[ArchAngelCD]

I forgot to mention how lucky you are to have such a nice piece of history. You should be proud to have in your possession something that was produced in the 19th Century by the hands of a skilled American craftsman at least 111 years ago. (and with that serial number possibly 115/116 years ago) I'm very happy for you and please, don't use anything harsh on that wonderful revolver when cleaning it. Just use a terrycloth rag soaked in a good gun oil and give it a good rubdown. To stop those rust spots for causing any further pitting you can use some 0000 steel wool soaked in that same gun oil and lightly rub the rust away.

[Oyeboten]

Fine 'Bronze Wool'...would be even kinder than Steel Wool...for removing any palpable 'rust' by rubbing...

Old Nickle is relatively 'soft'...and even 0000 Steel Wool is Steel, and is still much harder than the Nickel is...Bronze Wool is softer than the Nickel, harder than Rust...

[clang]

Try using some Flitz. I did on my nickel S&W Topbreak where the nickel was worn off and rust/corrosion had set it. It looks a lot better now.

But you'll have to be patient, it took several applications to clean up my gun.

[C-grunt]

Wow that SW looks to be in good shape for how old it is. Sorry to here about your great grandmother, but at least you got a heirloom in good condition to remember her by.

[Yosemite Sam]

Thanks for the condolences. She was 1900-1999, so she's been gone awhile now -- the gun was transferred from great-grandmother to grandmother, who couldn't care less about guns (in fact it was still loaded this whole time). My dad visited and brought it back. It's in his possession now, but he doesn't seem interested in knowing anything about its history or what model or caliber or whatnot.

Maybe I could buy or gift it from him. :neener:

[ArchAngelCD]

Maybe I could buy or gift it from him. :neener:
The Standard Catalog of S&W 3rd Edition lists the prices for that gun as follows:
Exc+ $600
Exc $475
Fine $300
VG $235
Good $195
Fair $135
Poor $75

I don't know how to rate those older revolvers but I would guess it's only in good condition. I'm on the side of gifting since it's not a valuable revolver in monetary terms. In family terms I know you can't put a value on it...