Howdy
That is not a Lemon Squeezer. This is a Lemon Squeezer.
Also known as the Safety Hammerless models, the slang name for them is Lemon Squeezer because there is a grip safety, just like on a 1911, that has to be squeezed in order to pull the trigger. You can see the grip safety on this one protruding from the back of the grip.
Yes, you have a 38 Double Action, 2nd Model. Both the first and second models had the vertical flutes (grooves) on the cylinders and two sets of cylinder stops (the notches that lock up the cylinder). However the cuts on the frame for the side plate on the first model were straight. Yours has the curved cuts on the frame for the side plate. It was determined that curved cuts resulted in a stronger frame than the straight cuts going completely across the frame.
The Second Model was made from about 1880 until 1884. The serial numbers ran from 4001 to 119000 with about 115,000 made.
Yours appears to have been refinished. S&W never nickel plated their hammers or triggers, they were always case hardened, as were the trigger guards on this model. That is always a dead giveaway for a refinished S&W. Also, the way the side plate stands out so plainly also indicates it has been refinished, by somebody who over polished the edges of the plate prior to replating it. The joint on the side plate should be seamless and almost invisible. The grips are black hard rubber. They appear to have a lot of wear on them, the checkering has been almost completely worn off in a few spots.
Here is a photo of my 3rd Model 38 DA for comparison. You can see it lacks the vertical flutes on the cylinder and the second set of cylinder stops. That is because by the time the 3rd Model came out, S&W had redesigned the lockwork and simplified it, so the second set of stops and the vertical clearance cuts were no longer needed. You can also see that the trigger guard, trigger, and hammer are case hardened, and the seem for the side plate is almost invisible.
Unfortunately, refinishing cuts way down on the collectors value of these old guns. I recently paid about $200 for my Third Model. Admittedly, $200 was a pretty good price.
Just a guess, but given that it has been refinished, I'd say around $200 would be about right for your gun.
hope you all can provide some help. I posted the link to the original post on other forum below:
