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Smith and Wesson 38 DA 1st Model Breaktop Revolver Made in 1880
Guns International #: 101441127 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Smith & Wesson Revolvers - Antique - Antique Revolvers - Cartridge
Seller's Information
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Seller: Brent Wilburn
Company: Antique Arms, Inc.
Member Since: 11/19/15
First Name: Brent
Last Name: Wilburn
State: Georgia
Zip: 30052
Country: United States
Phone: (678) 471-1432
Phone2: (678) 471-1432
Premium Seller
Number of Active Listings: 36
Total Number of Listings: 580
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Money Order, Certified Check
Description:
ON HOLD. This is a scarce 1st Model S&W Double Action Revolver in .38 caliber with the square-shaped sideplate located on the left side of the frame. 5 Shot, break top frame with Standard 3 1/4" Barrel. Smith and Wesson produced over 550,000 .38 DA revolvers with the top-break design from 1880 up to 1911. Only the first 4,000 revolvers made in 1880 came with these square sideplates before S&W changed the design to an oval shaped access plate. The patent dates on the barrel range from only 1865 up to 1875...correct and only found on 1st models. This particular gun is in the 2,600 range which places it right in the middle of the 1st Model run. 100% all matching serial numbers throughout which includes the frame, barrel, cylinder, and latch. The S&W checkered hard rubber grips are also original to this gun as they fit perfectly, show the same amount of wear, and we found the serial number on the inside of the right panel.
Overall condition grades to NRA antique Good+ with 60% original nickel plate remaining overall with the balance worn to a light grey patina. This one was definitely carried around inside someone's coat pocket for a number of years. There are still some traces of original blue on the trigger guard, latch, and ejector star while the hammer and trigger have small amounts of case colors in protected areas. The hard rubber grips are good overall with no chips, but a couple of small hairline cracks on the left panel which are barely visible...one down around the base pin which is common and another one about 1" long running alongside the monogram near the backstrap. The action works nicely for being 140 years old in both single and double action modes and locks up pretty tight. Barrel still latches tightly to the frame with no wiggle. The bore has good rifling with scattered pitting throughout. Most of these 19th century double action pockets from the black powder era were seldom cleaned after firing. The sulphur in the black powder as well as the corrosive priming resulted in these pits which is fairly typical.. Overall, for an antique, the bore would be considered to be in Fair Condition as the rifling is all there and there are no rings, bulges, and no major pits. If you're interested, here is the legal part: Since this is an antique as it was made before January 1, 1899 and does not require an FFL under Federal Law. It can be shipped directly to you via USPS Priority Mail with an adult signature required upon delivery. We are also more than happy to ship to your local FFL upon request. All buyers must be at least 21 years of age and a law-abiding citizen of the United States of sound mental health and a non-felon. You need to know your state and local laws before you contact us please. For example, NJ will require an FFL as this is not an antique in the Garden State. NY State will also require an FFL. This can't be shipped to residents of NYC or Chicago. Also, Hawaii will requires special permission from your local Police. Sorry, foreign collectors, I will not export this item overseas. We get a lot of questions about the shootability of antique weapons. Since this is an antique, we are selling it as exactly that, an antique collectible with historical significance due to its early design and not as a modern gun that we warrant as safe to fire. This is our blanket policy on all antique arms we sell regardless of condition. In this case, this Smith and Wesson is 140 years old, has had an unknown number of rounds put through it through all or parts of 3 different centuries, and most importantly, was not originally designed to handle high pressure modern smokeless powder. If you wish to fire it, that is solely up to buyer but we would strongly recommend you consult a competent gunsmith before doing so paying particular attention the correct 19th century loads it requires. As to care, all this revolver needs is an occasional light coat of oil wiped on the metal and a nice dry place preferably in a stable temperature to survive another couple hundred years. If you'd like to be the next caretaker of this rare 1st year production variant of the famous S&W Double Action, please send us an email or give us a call.
SOLD
Antique: Yes
Manufacturer: S&W
Model: 1st Model 38 Double Action
Caliber Info: 38 S&W
Manufacture Date: 1880