Please help

[lynn73130]

My dad passed away and left me a revolver that belonged to my grandfather and I know nothing about it. I would like to find out as much as possable. It is a Smith and wesson 6 shot, hand eject, repeat action. The numbers on the bottom of the grip is 349. It has a swing out cylinder and the best I can tell the numbers that are located on the inside are 1743. The barrel is 4 inches. The sight is fixed. The trade mark is a circle with a S & W overlapping in fancy lettering. The grips were hand made by my father as there were none when it was unearthed from a pasture many years ago.

 

[calaverasslim]

You need to post pix. Detail everything written on the frame, barrel and butt. Describe the action, IE break top, swing out cylinder etc. Grip frame design, barrel length. Basically, you need to describe eveything you can about the gun.

You didn't give enuf info to even hazzard a guess.

 

[C-grunt]

Usually if it has the swing out cylinder, the model number will be on the inside on the frame next to where the cylinder arm connects.

Also like calaverasslim said, pictures would help out greatly.

 

[Radagast]

If it is a swing out cylinder then it is a hand ejector. The model number was only stamped on the inside of the frame if it was made after 1957. Prior to that the number stamped there was an assembly number, for keeping track of parts. So your gun was made prior to 1957.
Being a six shooter, it could be built on the small I frame (if a .32) the medium K frame ( .22, .32 S&W Long, .32-20, .38 special or .38 S&W), or the large N frame (.38 special, .357 magnum and .44 special.)

If the number on the bottom of the frame is the whole serial number then it is a very early gun and could date back to the 1890s.

Caliber & patent dates will probably allow us to identify it, photos would be a great help.

 

[lynn73130]

pictures you asked for

Sorry photos are not very good. I tried to get as much detail as I could for you. I also double checked the numbers that you need and I came up with 349 on the but and 1783 on the inside of the frame. I hope these will help. I also had someone tell me that gun was a first addition around 1905 and that it was a 40/30 but that just don't sound right to me. Anyway thanks for your help.

 

[Radagast]

We need to know what caliber it is. This will be stamped on the left hand side of the barrel.
There may be be patent dates on the top of the barrel, or between the flutes on the cylinder, if so, please post them as well.

 

[lynn73130]

All I could read was 38.4 and July 1, Springfield. This was on top of the barrel. I can find nothing on the left side. The numbers between the flutes are the same as on the gun but.

 

[Jim K]

Sorry, but those photos are so blurred as to be useless. Can you get the camera on a tripod or at least a steady rest?

About all I can tell is that it is an S&W and probably a .38 Special. It sounds like it is in very bad condition, so value would be likely be negligible.

Jim

 

[Radagast]

July 1 '84, is one of many patent dates that can be found on the barrel of the .32 Hand Ejector Series.

The model of 1903 was made in the serial number range 1 19425, during 1903 & 1904. The S&W trademark on the side plate (right hand side), pinned barrel & locking lug under the frame also appears to be correct to this model.

The very early serial numbered K frame revolvers lacked the pinned barrel & the locking lug.

Assuming that in cleaning up the gun no serial numbers were removed and also assuming that the caliber is .32 S&W long, then this is your gun. If it is a .38 then it's something else again.

I suggest you get some higher resolution photos taken, of both sides of the gun, the top of the barrel and open cylinder, then post them here if you would like something more than an educated guess.

Kim Keenan is right in that it will have very little monetary value, if any, in the condition it is in, but as a family relic of a bygone age it's sentimental value is something only you can decide on.

 

[woad_yurt]

Take it to a gun store w/a gun smith and ask them if it's .32 Long, .38 short or .38 SPL. They should be able to tell you the caliber, at the very least. If they have a gunsmith around, the smith could give it a look and tell you if it's serviceable.

 

[OPOEFC]

We need better pics! From looking at the pics, so far, it could be a Model of 1899, 1st model hand Ejector in .38 S&W Special/US, Service cartridge caliber, or it could be a .32-20 Hand ejector. 1st model. Those are the only two models possible if the serial number you cite is correct and the caliber is the key to which one it is. It is not a model in caliber .32S&W Long, as those models would not have the configuration of your pictures and a 3 digit serial number. Tell us the caliber.