Smith and Wesson Perfected Model

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

The Smith and Wesson 38 Double Action Perfected Model was one of the more unusual revolvers that S&W made. The legend is that Daniel Wesson received a letter from a Policeman who had been disarmed by a bad guy he was struggling with. According to the story, the bad guy reached forward and unfastened the latch on the Top Break revolver the policeman was pointing at him, pushing the barrel down, rendering it useless. The story goes on that Wesson told his engineers to design a Top Break revolver that could not be deactivated this way.

I do not know if the story is true or not, somebody recently told me that the letter is in the S&W archives, but I do not know.

I have been aware of the Perfected Model for a long time, but I never was interested in owning one, I thought the whole idea was dumb. But a few months ago I realized that as an enthusiastic collector of S&W revolvers, I should have a Perfected Model in my collection.

I purchased this one recently. I have not determined yet exactly when it was made, but the Perfected Model was made from 1909 until 1920, with 59,400 made. The Serial Number of this one probably puts it sometime around 1914, the last patent date on it is 1909, and there was a new patent date put on them in 1914.

The Perfected Model was what is usually referred to as a Pocket Pistol. Like all 38 caliber S&W Top Breaks, it was chambered for the 38 S&W cartridge, not to be confused with the 38 Special. And like all S&W 38 caliber Top Breaks it was a five shot revolver. Although some other Top Breaks stayed on the market longer than the Perfected Model, it was the last Top Break that S&W designed.

This view shows the redundant latching system of the Perfected Model. The dark, knurled piece near the hammer is the normal latch that is incorporated in most S&W Top Breaks. The thumb piece behind the cylinder is the same as the thumb piece in any modern S&W.





The Perfected Model was a five screw revolver with the side plate on the right side of the gun, the same as any modern S&W revolver. Because of this arrangement, the cylinder of the Perfected Model rotates counter clockwise when viewed from the rear, like a modern S&W revolver.





In order to open the gun for loading and unloading, the latch at the top has to be lifted and the thumb piece pushed forward. Both of these actions must be done at the same time to open the gun. Just doing one without the other will not open it.





This photo shows the 38 Double Action Perfected at the top, and an earlier 38 Double Action, 3rd Model at the bottom. Both are 38 caliber Pocket Pistols. The Perfected Model was the only Top Break S&W ever made with the trigger guard an integral part of the frame. The gun at the bottom shows the usual arrangement, with the trigger guard being a separate part, mounted in the frame. Notice the side plate is on the left side of the earlier gun, as it was with all the other S&W Top Breaks.






The internal mechanism of the Perfected Model was the same as the 32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903. Like the Hand Ejectors, the Perfected Model has a rebounding hammer. This photo shows the Perfected Model with an I frame 32 Regulation Police Hand Ejector. Notice the similarity in frame shapes.





I have not had a chance to fire my Perfected Model yet, but I will post a range report when I do. The gun shows no signs of having been fired, although I am sure it probably was. The bore and chambers are spotless with no pitting, and the lockup is as tight as when it left the factory.

 

[WestKentucky]

The Perfected is a neat gun, and it is definately the bridge between "antique" and "modern" as far as design goes. I always find it really odd that to solve a simple problem they made it much more awkward and clumsy to reload, while the targeted market was for police departments and shopkeepers. Very nice gun though, and let us know how clumsy a reload actually is.

 

[Old Fuff]

I do not know if the story is true or not, somebody recently told me that the letter is in the S&W archives, but I do not know.

Two things drove S&W to make the Perfected Model.

The story you mentioned had become a mainstay in Colt's advertising that explained why their hand-ejector models were superior to S&W's top-break's. :banghead:

Sales for the earlier DA-38 models had slowed, and the lockwork was expensive to make and delicate. Joseph Wesson (D.B. Wesson's oldest son) designed a revolver that other then a modified frame, could use parts designed for the 1903 I-frame, as well as surplus top-break cylinder assemblies and barrels. For all practical purposes they spent very little on tooling costs.

 

[Jim K]

The really odd thing is that it was not a "bridge" at all. It was introduced long after swing cylinder hand ejectors had become the staple of S&W production, though the break tops would be made for a few more years, the hammerless up to 1940. Was the Perfected intended to continue the top-break line for those who wanted that type of action? Possibly; there are some Perfecteds without the side release. Or was it simply a whim of the man whose name (as Henry Ford II said) "is on the building"? What has puzzled me is that it remained in the line for so long (sold up to 1920 - I don't know when actual production ceased) and was fairly popular, with 59,400 sold.

Jim

 

[Old Fuff]

The really odd thing is that it was not a "bridge" at all. It was introduced long after swing cylinder hand ejectors had become the staple of S&W production, though the break tops would be made for a few more years, the hammerless up to 1940.

It may be remembered that Colt made cap & ball style metallic cartridge revolvers until the late 1880's; The reason being that they had a tremendous pile of parts left over from the Civil War. Unlike today they couldn't dump them and take the loss as a tax deduction.

In another example the government left Smith & Wesson with 1917 .45 revolver parts in 1919 after World War One. The company didn't get them all used up until the middle 1950's.

Production ended on the Perfected Model when remaining inventory of D.A. 38 top break parts were reduced as far as they were going to go.

Concerning the .38 New Departure/Safety Hammerless revolver. During the early 1900's they changed the grip safety spring from a difficult to machine flat style to a simple coil one. Fast forward to 1940 or thereabouts Col. Rex Applegate (who was a fan) purchased one, brand new. Years later it ended up with the Old Fuff, who too his surprise discovered it had the old style flat spring.

At Smith & Wesson they never threw away anything that might still be used.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy Again

Glad my post is generating some discussion.


Anyway, here is a photo I should have posted earlier, a comparison of the size of the Perfected Model to a K frame. In this case, a 32-20 Hand Ejector, but a Model 10 or a 38 M&P would be the same size.

 

[Twiki357]

I was following a Perfected Model on Gunbroker about a month ago. It was blued and looked in excellent condition. I tried for it but unfortunately it sold for way more than what my social security could cover.

 

[mnrivrat]

You found a very nice speciman of the Perfected. I'm still looking for a cheap beater that is or can be made into a shooter grade gun.

I have a few 1903 Models to shoot (and for parts) ,and I have recently gotten the erge to have the .38 caliber as well as the unusual double lock up feature.

Thanks for your thread. I enjoyed your input and photo's ,but now it will be just that much harder to find one I can afford.

 

[Tallball]

I always enjoy Driftwood's threads and posts. As usual, the pictures are wonderful. I have been wanting a top-break. After reading the thread I want one even more!

 

[bannockburn]

Another tip of the hat to Driftwood Johnson and Old Fuff for sharing with us their vast knowledge and experiences with all things Smith and Wesson.

 

[Old Fuff]

Well thank you!

As for that other guy, he do indeed take good pictures....

 

[Jim K]

The .38 Perfected bottom frame was basically the .32 I frame, so it was the same size and has the same feel as the top-break DA models. One reason I have always wondered if it was to be "the breaktop of the future" is that the lockwork, while complex compared to modern guns, was much simpler and less prone to breakage than the old DA breaktops.

Jim