Just for you S&W fans " The Perfected"

M

markallen

New member
I went to the Packard Motor Car Museum in Warren Ohio.
Lots of cars on the floor, but then this in a display case.
This Perfected was owned by James Ward Packard.


Sorry about the angles, and glare I was shooting through glass with available lighting.

IMG_4802_zpsaqcnyj3a.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

IMG_4804_zpscae92tdj.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

IMG_4803_zpsp9ficbxc.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
 
Thanks. I remember seeing a picture of one of those recently, and wondering what was up with a top break, that also had what appears to be a cylinder release. Putting a name on it let me dig up the info.

The thing that looks like a cylinder release, is actually a second latch that needs to be pressed to break open the gun.
 
I have one of those but, mine is not as perfected as the one in the pics. For a hundred year old pistol, my 38 S&W Perfected is very accurate with TenX 148gr. wadcutters.
 
I have two Perfecteds and love shooting them, specially the 3 incher. I often wonder -a Perfected made with modern metallurgy and sights might indeed be the perfect snubby.
 
I've been looking for a Perfected for years to add to the collection, but I'll be damned if I've seen one at any of the gunshows I've been to in Northern Virginia.
 
Howdy

I come across them at auctions fairly often. Kind of a belt and suspenders solution to a non-existent problem. The popular logic was that a bad guy could reach over and unlatch a Top Break revolver rendering it unable to fire. So with the Perfected, one has to push the side latch forward while simultaneously opening the Top Break latch from the top in order to break open the gun. Trust me, while it is possible to unlatch a Top Break from the front, it would require a lot of practice. The Perfected is unnecessarily awkward to manipulate. One model Smith that I am not trying to add to my collection.
 
Howdy Again

The 38 Double Action Perfected Model was the last Top Break model that S&W introduced. Made from 1909 until 1920. It was also the only Top Break that S&W made with the trigger guard integral to the frame. The one in the photo has an unusual custom grip.

This is what they usually looked like.

38doubleactionperfectedmodel.jpg
 
I came close to buying one several years ago at Greentop in Richmond. Little thing was in near perfect condition, about like Driftwood's IIRC, but alas, I didn't because of the 38 S&W chambering. Almost kick my butt for that now.
 
Interesting looking gun. I saw a pretty nice condition perfected at Louisville Cabellas for sale last weekend
 
I'm a guy who loves the little S&W top breaks, and if I come across one of these in decent shape, I'll pretty much be powerless to resist it. :rolleyes: jd
 
Kind of a belt and suspenders solution to a non-existent problem.
Click to expand...

Of course, the perfect Perfected is one without the double latch. Yes, S&W did make such things:



For me, the Perfected's claim to fame lies in its modern, almost I frame lockwork.
 
Last edited:
I have read, but don't know if it's the case or not, that the .38 Perfected was brought out at the request of police who were using the older models without the thumb latch, and wanted a gun that couldn't either open accidentally, or be opened by someone in a struggle with the officer.
 
Very cool, I've never heard of the perfected. Your post reminds how long its been since I last dragged my family through the NRA museum.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top