The photo does the trick, and you have a relatively scarce model.
It’s a
Smith & Wesson .38 Double Action, Perfected Model. It was introduced in 1909 and discontinued in 1920. Serial numbers ran from 1 to 59, 400. Standard barrel lengths were 3 ¼, 4, 5 and 6 inches. Cylinder should be chambered to hold
five cartridges. Standard finishes were blue or nickel plate. Stocks were usually black hard rubber, but checkered walnut or pearl were extra-cost options. It appears to be in pretty nice condition, and if so it would have a maximum value in the $400 range.
The Perfected Model was the last of S&W’s top-break revolvers, and the “perfected” name referred to the barrel latching system that required the user to both push on a thumb piece while lifting the barrel latch to tip down the barrel. This was to prevent a close-up bad guy from reaching over the top of the gun, lifting the latch, tipping the barrel down, and ejecting all of the cartridges. Colt and other advertising had ragged them on this, so Smith & Wesson designers came up with an answer. Unfortunately the day of top-break revolvers was ending as the market turned to stronger Hand Ejectors.
The revolver is chambered to use .38 S&W (not Special) cartridges. Ammunition is available, but not commonly carried in many gun shops. While there may be better choices, it was made with home defense in mind, and S&W advertised it for that purpose. It will still do the job.
Given this gun's history within your family, I suggest that you get it "lettered." To do so you will need a snapshot of the gun, a full description including the serial number on the butt, and a check in the amount of $30.00 made out to Smith & Wesson. In exchange the company's historian, Roy G. Jinks, will research the original records (which are not computerized by the way) and send you a letter containing the details of what he finds.
This comprehensive document will contain an overview of the model’s history, followed by the details of your particular gun. This usually includes the caliber, barrel length, finish, and the exact date it was shipped from the factory, and to what distributor or dealer. If there are any special features they will be listed too. This information is often invaluable to both you and future generations.
Additional information on a historical letter will be found at the Smith & Wesson company website at:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...catalogId=11101&content=25301§ionId=10504