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SOLD, RARE, S&W, THIRD MODEL, .38


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S&W DA, Third Model, REVOLVER, NICKEL PLATED, 5” BARREL, S/N-232364,1ST PAT. 7-11-1865, LAST PAT. 7-3-1882. Caliber .38 short CONDITION:Like NEW, $550. PLUS SHIPPING TO YOUR FFL If anyone out there could determine the year this gun was built by the s/n  it would tell whether it needs to shipped FFL or not.

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According to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson the S&W .38 Double Action serial numbers 119001 through 322700 were produced from 1884 through 1895, making this a genuine antique in accordance with BATF rules.

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On 6/21/2022 at 6:23 AM, Ronnie Miller said:

1965 & 1982 ARE CORRECT.

Is this relatively new?

Or a beautiful antique?

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17 hours ago, Brazos John said:

Is this relatively new?

Or a beautiful antique?

It's not new, pre 1900 for sure.

Since it has the 2 place year digits, and it looks so new, I assumed they were 1965 & 1982, when in reality they were 1865 & 1882.

It is a super nice pistol. Doc Holiday & Bat Masterson both carried small pistols like this, maybe one of them carried this one?????

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Measure the barrel from the front of the cylinder to the muzzle so we can see if it qualifies for a pocket pistol for Side Matches.

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3 minutes ago, Ronnie Miller said:

It's 4 15/16 inches, exactly.

Okay, it will be a great shooter, but an inch too long for Pocket Pistol side matches. Wish I had the gold right now for it.

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Weee bit too long for pocket pistol matches, Dang it.

2 minutes ago, DeaconKC said:

Okay, it will be a great shooter, but an inch too long for Pocket Pistol side matches. Wish I had the gold right now for it.

You beat me to it

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On 6/24/2022 at 4:28 PM, Tennessee williams said:

 

I have an Iver Johnson that somebody cut barrel off to about 1.5 inches. No longer gas a front sight, but at PP distances really doesn’t latter.  It’s one of my favorite pocket pistols.  
if someone really wants a pocket pistol this would likely be a good one. But would have to lop a few inches off the barrel. 

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54 minutes ago, Hoss said:

I have an Iver Johnson that somebody cut barrel off to about 1.5 inches. No longer gas a front sight, but at PP distances really doesn’t latter.  It’s one of my favorite pocket pistols.  
if someone really wants a pocket pistol this would likely be a good one. But would have to lop a few inches off the barrel. 

Little too much money for one you're gonna chop on though.

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21 hours ago, Hoss said:

if someone really wants a pocket pistol this would likely be a good one. But would have to lop a few inches off the barrel. 

 

If it lasted over a hundred years as a good hard five incher, I would hate to lop some off once it has passed its prime.

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If a collector wanted it for a collection, it would matter; but if someone wanted to use it as a backup carry, as a keeper, it wouldn't matter, especially for that low a price. 

 

It would be a very unique, useful pistol if it the cutoff was done right.

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As it is, there is no practical use for the gun. It has no real collector value. Very unlikely anyone would want it for a carry gun. 
it would make a good pocket pistol if the barrel were shortened. The price for a good pocket pistol is reasonable. If I was in the market for another PP I would give this one a hard look. If it is truly “like new” with very little wear it would be a good choice. I dont know seller or the specific gun, but this model does make a good pocket pistol. 

For the record, I have a Colt Lightning with a 4 1/4” barrel. Not PP legal, but does have collector value, so I would not cut it. 

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2 hours ago, Hoss said:

As it is, there is no practical use for the gun. It has no real collector value. Very unlikely anyone would want it for a carry gun. 
it would make a good pocket pistol if the barrel were shortened. The price for a good pocket pistol is reasonable. If I was in the market for another PP I would give this one a hard look. If it is truly “like new” with very little wear it would be a good choice. I dont know seller or the specific gun, but this model does make a good pocket pistol. 

For the record, I have a Colt Lightning with a 4 1/4” barrel. Not PP legal, but does have collector value, so I would not cut it. 

Hey Hoss, I've sure been wrong before but I thought ALL lightnings were legal since that model is specifically called out in the SHB as being legal. Be a good clarification for PWB on the wire to make sure. I don't have one but I'd like one.

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6 minutes ago, Tennessee williams said:

Hey Hoss, I've sure been wrong before but I thought ALL lightnings were legal since that model is specifically called out in the SHB as being legal. Be a good clarification for PWB on the wire to make sure. I don't have one but I'd like one.

Legal as long as 4” barrel or less. Most I have seen have them 4 1/4” barrel. I’m sure many have been used in side matches with illegal barrel. 
personally I would not use a lightning in a side match, even if barrel was short enough. The action is just too delicate. You go yanking that trigger 5 times in <1.5 seconds and it won’t last long! 

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2 minutes ago, Hoss said:

Legal as long as 4” barrel or less. Most I have seen have them 4 1/4” barrel. I’m sure many have been used in side matches with illegal barrel. 
personally I would not use a lightning in a side match, even if barrel was short enough. The action is just too delicate. You go yanking that trigger 5 times in <1.5 seconds and it won’t last long! 

I have to wonder why they would call them out specifically as legal if they still had to meet all the stipulations as other manufacturers. There has to be a reason. @PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495Lprobably knows right off the top of his head why.

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2 minutes ago, Tennessee williams said:

I have to wonder why they would call them out specifically as legal if they still had to meet all the stipulations as other manufacturers. There has to be a reason. @PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495Lprobably knows right off the top of his head why.

Will wait for PWB to chime in. 
 

 

and Ronnie, sorry your post got highjacked, but at least you got a lot of bumps out of it!

 

looks like a fine pistol, I hope you find a buyer. . 

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Posted 17 DEC 2018:

 

The issue of the legality of the COLT MODEL 1877 DA revolver (in all 3 chamberings) for pocket pistol sidematch use has been resolved by a majority vote of the SASS Range Operations Committee (ROC).

The consensus is that models with a <4" barrel are SASS-LEGAL "Pocket Pistols"

 

NOTE: This ruling does NOT apply to the following revolvers:

The Cimarron "New Lightning" (a reduced size Model "P" with the 1877-style grip/frame)

The Cimarron "New Thunderer" (a full-sized Model "P" with the 1877-style grip/frame)

The Colt Model 1878 (a large-frame DA revolver)

...all of which are precluded under current rules due to frame design and/or size.

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10 minutes ago, PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L said:

Posted 17 DEC 2018:

 

The issue of the legality of the COLT MODEL 1877 DA revolver (in all 3 chamberings) for pocket pistol sidematch use has been resolved by a majority vote of the SASS Range Operations Committee (ROC).

The consensus is that models with a <4" barrel are SASS-LEGAL "Pocket Pistols"

 

NOTE: This ruling does NOT apply to the following revolvers:

The Cimarron "New Lightning" (a reduced size Model "P" with the 1877-style grip/frame)

The Cimarron "New Thunderer" (a full-sized Model "P" with the 1877-style grip/frame)

The Colt Model 1878 (a large-frame DA revolver)

...all of which are precluded under current rules due to frame design and/or size.

Thanks PWB! Knew there had to be a reason for calling them out specifically. I'll be on the lookout for one!

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3 hours ago, PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L said:

Posted 17 DEC 2018:

 

The issue of the legality of the COLT MODEL 1877 DA revolver (in all 3 chamberings) for pocket pistol sidematch use has been resolved by a majority vote of the SASS Range Operations Committee (ROC).

The consensus is that models with a <4" barrel are SASS-LEGAL "Pocket Pistols"

 

NOTE: This ruling does NOT apply to the following revolvers:

The Cimarron "New Lightning" (a reduced size Model "P" with the 1877-style grip/frame)

The Cimarron "New Thunderer" (a full-sized Model "P" with the 1877-style grip/frame)

The Colt Model 1878 (a large-frame DA revolver)

...all of which are precluded under current rules due to frame design and/or size.

Good info, Thanks

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Have you slugged the barrel? I’d be interested but 38 Short covers a lot of territory with bores of .357, .361 and .375. There is a 38 S&W, sometimes called 38 S&W Short and 38 Short Colt. The Colt was originally .375 bore that shot a heeled bullet and later loaded with inside lubed bullet of .358 diameter which was the parent of the 38 Long Colt and 38 S&W Special. I think I’m correct on this, others more knowledgeable might chime in and correct me if wrong.

 

Driftwood you out there?

 

 

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7 hours ago, Bull Skinner said:

Have you slugged the barrel? I’d be interested but 38 Short covers a lot of territory with bores of .357, .361 and .375. There is a 38 S&W, sometimes called 38 S&W Short and 38 Short Colt. The Colt was originally .375 bore that shot a heeled bullet and later loaded with inside lubed bullet of .358 diameter which was the parent of the 38 Long Colt and 38 S&W Special. I think I’m correct on this, others more knowledgeable might chime in and correct me if wrong.

 

 

 

The guns were chambered for the .38 S&W, not the .38 S&W Long and not the .38 S&W Special (.38 special), nor the .38 Short Colt.

  

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Id bet my hat it’s 38SW. 
FWIW, I load all my 38SW with my 105 grn .357 bullets. They may rattle a bit going down the tube but at PP distances they are fine. 

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