Old, S&W Break-Actions...

[Evyl Robot]

All, I'm parallel-posting this thread on a couple of forums. So, if you run across it elsewhere, please bear with me. Could any of you please tell me what I'm looking at here, about how old they are, and what they might be worth? Thanks!







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The nickel one has a 4-in barrel, and is marked .38 S&W CTG. The finish on the gun is unreal-perfect, and it has checkered wood grips with the S&W logo. The serial number is 483xxx.

The blue one has a 6-in barrel, and is marked .32 S&W CTG. This one has quite a bit of surface rust on it. The serial number is 245xxx.

Both of these guns belong to my boss. He asked me if I could find out what they are worth and who would buy them. I'm thinking of making an offer on one or both, depending on what I can find out about them. Thanks in advance!

--Michael

 

[rcmodel]

The grips on the nickel one are not correct.
They are grips off a modern S&W Round Butt J-Frame. If the trigger guard is also nickel, the gun has been re-finished, as the guard should be blue on a nickel gun.

Near as I can tell, it is a Double-Action 4th. Model, and in VG condition would be worth around $200.
Perhaps as much as $300 if it had the right grips, and has not been refinished.
They were made from 1915 to 1940.

The other one is a 3rd. Model Double Action, and it would probably be worth $175 in the condition it is in. Made from 1909 to 1915.

Truth be told, there is not a lot of collector interest in them unless they are in really fine condition.

rcmodel

 

[snorko]

delete

 

[Old Fuff]

RC is mostly right, but there are some confusing aspects about the .38.

The picture and serial number identify it to be a S&W .38 D.A., 4th. Model.

These were made between 1895 and 1909, within a serial number range running from 322,701 to 539,000. Your number (483,xxx) was probably made during the very early 1900’s. I agree with RC that the revolver has been refinished, although in some pictures it appears that the barrel latch and trigger guard are blued, and the hammer color case-hardened – as they should be. There is next to no collector interest in these guns after they’ve been refinished, but some cowboy action shooters are buying up those in “shooting shape” to carry in their cowboy outfits for show. The stocks are from an early post-war .32 Hand Ejector.

Since you didn’t show a full picture of the .32 I can’t tell you much about it, although the serial number and what you do show will identify it as a S&W .32 D.A., 4th Model. These were made from 1883 to 1909 within a serial number range going from 43,406 to 282,999. On this model the 6” barrel is scarce, as standard lengths were 3 and 3 ½ inches. I’d offer the owner no more then $350 for the pair.

 

[Bezoar]

more reliable then a jennings or bryco. but "worth less" then a jennings or bryco... kinda sad in a way.

ammunition is a bit pricy for these calibers. But 6rounds of 460 SW would get you a isngle box of 50 rounds of 38 sw or 32 sw.