An Old Handgun...Any ideas?

[retire05]

A very good friend of mine's brother was demoing a house and ran across this hand gun. None of us know anything about it. We were hoping to get some help identifying its origin beyond just S&W and possibly its worth. Thanks for looking.

 

[Tony in SC]

Very popular model SW. They are sometimes called an Owl Head, but they were not. Knowing the caliber can help with the date. Some of the later one were chambered for the 38SW. Tony

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I can't get the images to enlarge but I believe it to be a S&W Perfected Model 38 top-break revolver. The one below is nickeled rather than blued.

Smith & Wesson Perfected Model 38 Double Action Top Break Revolver

 

[Crappies-n-Coins]

Yours has a 6 shot cylinder (better/larger pics would certainly help), the Perfected Model 38 were 5 shot. Look towards a Smith & Wesson New Model No.3:

Smith & Wesson New Model No.3 - Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games

 

[NOLA_Ken]

With a New Model 3 knowing the caliber is very important. It will most likely be .44 Russian, but other calibers were made too including .44-40, 32-44, .38-44 and .38- 40 Winchester. The serial number will give you the date of manufacture. Value depends on condition more than anything else. I can't enlarge the pics so I can't estimate the condition at all.

 

[retire05]

Thanks everyone. I will try to get some better pictures. The ones I posted were pictures from my friend's brother's cell phone. Thanks for the help!...Brad

 

[NOLA_Ken]

bump

 

[mcb66]

Man you have found a prize. Even in parts its worth a good bit. This one looks to be in decent shape, cant really tell. Find a local auction house who deals in firearms and have it appraised.