Identify old smith and wesson pistol

[mswift89]

Just curios grandma found a pistol that looks pretty old in a paper bag in the garage. Was wondering if anyone had any info about it? Thank you appreciate the help.

[Pardini]

With the caliber and serial number it's pretty easy to look it up.

[Erion929]

Here’s some guys in a forum talking about a S&W Break Top that looks just like yours....including some caliber discussion and a serial number that might give a clue:

https://www.smithandwessonforums.com/forum/s-w-revolvers-1857-1945/37976-smith-wesson-top-break.html

.

[mswift89]

Thank you Erion appreciate that.

[CoopsDad]

My F-I-L bought a S&W break top against my recommendation b/c it was chambered in .38 S&W. I explained that .38 S&W is an uncommon caliber and not interchangeable with .38 Special. He bought it anyway because he thought I was wrong.

It's a nice gun, smooth trigger like butter, and fairly accurate. The break top is slow to reload, though; he hasn't found any speedloaders that fit right.

He also bought another break top in .44 Russian. I counselled against that one too, and was ignored. He thought it would take .44 Spl even though it was marked .44 Russian.

[I Swan]

My F-I-L bought a S&W break top against my recommendation b/c it was chambered in .38 S&W. I explained that .38 S&W is an uncommon caliber and not interchangeable with .38 Special. He bought it anyway because he thought I was wrong.

It's a nice gun, smooth trigger like butter, and fairly accurate. The break top is slow to reload, though; he hasn't found any speedloaders that fit right.

He also bought another break top in .44 Russian. I counselled against that one too, and was ignored. He thought it would take .44 Spl even though it was marked .44 Russian.

He will probably ignore you but may want to tell him that many of those 38S&W break tops were intended for black powder pressure loads and that he should use modern ammo sparingly if at all.

American ammo in 38S&W is downloaded by factory for this reason but still a problem. Did he discover that Walmart and most gun shops don't stock 44 Russian?

[john myers]

S&W third or fourth model double action top break 38 S&W cal 5 shot
serial number 322700 and below would be third model (1884-1895)
serial number 539000 and below would be fourth model (1895-1909)
they both look pretty much the same externally

[Pardini]

How about a little help and support for a breakup lover?

[gaberaynes]

Smith Wesson da model 4 .32acp 5 shot if I have to guess with pics alone.

[mikeyr]

....snip.....I explained that .38 S&W is an uncommon caliber and not interchangeable with .38 Special. He bought it anyway because he thought I was wrong.
....snip....
He also bought another break top in .44 Russian. I counselled against that one too, and was ignored. He thought it would take .44 Spl even though it was marked .44 Russian.

I am getting the impression you don't like oddball calibers

Oh and I agree on the Black Powder loads recommendation, burn some real powder in that thing and make some smoke.

[CoopsDad]

He will probably ignore you but may want to tell him that many of those 38S&W break tops were intended for black powder pressure loads and that he should use modern ammo sparingly if at all.

American ammo in 38S&W is downloaded by factory for this reason but still a problem. Did he discover that Walmart and most gun shops don't stock 44 Russian?

He routinely asks my opinion then searches for a way to prove me wrong. Funny but a little sad; you'd think that after knowing me for 27 years he'd get the picture

[CoopsDad]

I am getting the impression you don't like oddball calibers .

Don't get me wrong, I love oddball calibers if there's some sentiment or significance to them. With the stuff he's bought, it's usually due to a misunderstanding like a S&W .38 shoots .38's. What other .38 caliber are revolvers chambered in besides .38 Special? None, because it's a S&W .38. Or some equally muddled circular thought pattern.

[ironhorse1]

Smith Wesson da model 4 .32acp 5 shot if I have to guess with pics alone.

Let's not be shooting .32 acp in and old revolver. If it is a .32 then a .32 S&W or .32 SWL.

The acp operates at a higher pressure than the .32 S&W but can be fired in modern revolvers such as the S&W 30 and 31 revolvers due to it being semi rimmed.

irh

[I Swan]

He routinely asks my opinion then searches for a way to prove me wrong. Funny but a little sad; you'd think that after knowing me for 27 years he'd get the picture

I sometimes work with a guy that does a similar thing. You would think that over the years they would realize that when they listen to my advice it usually benefits them and when they don't it is at their own risk and peril and doesn't usually end up well for them.

They are sort of my friend you would think by now they would realize I have their best interests in mind. They get kind of angry when they are proven wrong too or not listening to me blows up in their face.

[gaberaynes]

Let's not be shooting .32 acp in and old revolver. If it is a .32 then a .32 S&W or .32 SWL.

The acp operates at a higher pressure than the .32 S&W but can be fired in modern revolvers such as the S&W 30 and 31 revolvers due to it being semi rimmed.

irh