1800's smith and wesson 38-40

J

jonhamilton1985

Inactive
i have a revolver i have a ew questions about. on the top of the barrel it says--- smith and wesson springfield mass usa pat'd jan 17 & 24. 65, july 11. 65, aug 24. 69, july 25. 71, dec 2. 79 may 11 & 25 1880, and on the side of the barrel it says .38 winchester ctg and the serial number on it is only a 3 diget number, it is #22x. it has ivory handels and the gun is chrome, and the barrel is about 8-10 inches long, i heard there was only 500 made but no for sure answers. if anyone has any info on the gun please let me know. thanks alot.
 
You're going to have to post pictures.

I would have said that the only model in .38-40 was the 1908 first model "triple lock". That doesn't seem to be the case here just from the patent dates.
 
38-40 smith and wesson

ok, i have more info on it. the barrel is 6 and a half inches long, and there were only 276 made, some people are saying it is a new model 3 target. it is nickel finished and afer ooking at it more and after more research the ivory handles are aftermarket, my grandfather bought them at a trade show in the 50's, my dad says he remembers when he traded for them because in the 50's the guy wanted 22 dollars for them and my grandfather almost fought him over it because he thought they were overpriced. the gun came with black handles. it has matching srial numbers on every part of the gun. and to beat it all the gun looks brand new, hasonly been fired 5 times and dont have any pits scratches or any other marks. a smith and wesson apprasor on a s&w forum says it is the mona lisa of revolvers, but like i have said it is all just people talking. i know for sure that it was made between 1900-1910 and they were only 276 made, if anyone can help pleae do and i am tryn to figure out a way to get a pic up,here is a web addess to a forum with pics of one just like it. http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-wantiques/260759-help-identifying-38-40-winchester-to
 
It sounds like you have it pretty well pinned down.
It is a First Model Double action, not a New Model No 3.

I STRONGLY suggest you apply for a factory letter from Roy Jinks, the S&W historian. Form shown at
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/185369-factory-letter-request-form.html

If the letter confirms that it was built with target sights, you have a real treasure. The one on the S&W board has target sights and we will see what his letter shows.

Instructions for using Photobucket for pictures on the S&W board are at
http://smith-wessonforum.com/forum-office/78728-posting-photos-forum.html

For this board look at
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=292842
 
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