Cas City Forum Hall & CAS-L
Special Interests - Groups & Societies => Frontier Iron => Topic started by: Old No7 on November 30, 2016, 10:03:58 AM
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OK, so maybe it's not a Schofield....
But it was made by Smith & Wesson and is a top-break revolver, and I think it's pretty neat.
I just picked up this nice old Smith & Wesson "38 Double Action, 4th Model" with a 5" barrel and 5-shot cylinder. From another forum, I learned it likely shipped out between 1908 to 1910.
I know I've told this forum before that my first ever handgun that I bought on my own was a top-break H&R 999 Sportsman. Ever since then, I've been addicted to long-barreled top-breaks as they are much cheaper for me to collect (although sometimes harder to find in decent condition) than the old Colts or Winchesters. Anyway, I like the hinged design, plus they're fun to shoot and quick to reload!
This one is in really good shape overall, and it functions just fine. I do need to load up some ammo once I order some .361" or .362" lead bullets (as I need to slug the bore and chambers), but you'll see that AZoom does make snap caps for the older 38 S&W round (not a "38 Special", notice the wider rim and shorter case). At the range, I describe it to others by saying "It's like a rimmed 380 but with lead bullets" and they all seem to relate to that.
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/S_W_38_DA_4th_Mdl_01_Small_.jpg)
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/S_W_38_DA_4th_Mdl_02_Small_.jpg)
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/S_W_38_DA_4th_Mdl_04_Small_.jpg)
And just for fun and your viewing pleasure, here's a view of how this one compares in size to my S&W Number 3, 2nd Model "Schofield" (in .38 Special, as made by Uberti) with those awesome Elk Stag grips that I've shown here before:
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/S_W_38_DA_4th_vs_Schfld_Small_.jpg)
Now I've gotta get busy and load up some rounds and hit the range.
Tight groups!
Old No7
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Very nice looking 4th Model. I own and shoot 10 Smith & Wesson #2 frame Top Break .38 S&W SA's and DA's. The oldest is a 38SA built in 1882 and the newest a 1920 Perfected. Lots of fun. My current source for .363 dia. 145 gr. RNL bullets is at www.mattsbullets.com Excellent quality, fair price. Be sure to specify .363 dia.
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Nice revolver.
I have always liked the blued S&W guns. They are harder to come by than the nickel plated.
I have the same model as yours that came with a 4" bbl. This works out well for the pocket pistol. But a few years ago I found a 6" inch barrel for it.
I can swap barrels out, but I can't use it as pocket pistol with the longer bbl. The frame size does not change which is what makes it a pocket pistol, only the bbl. length changes.
My best,
Blair
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I've seen several of these, including one marked "AmExpCo" on the back of the gripframe. Haven't shot any, though. One thing about them is that they are five shooters, and DO NOT have rebounding hammers, and are NOT safe to carry with a live round under the hammer! Not sure about with the hammer down between chambers.
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Very nice looking 4th Model. I own and shoot 10 Smith & Wesson #2 frame Top Break .38 S&W SA's and DA's. The oldest is a 38SA built in 1882 and the newest a 1920 Perfected. Lots of fun. My current source for .363 dia. 145 gr. RNL bullets is at www.mattsbullets.com Excellent quality, fair price. Be sure to specify .363 dia.
I just bought one like your top picture, but mine has a 3 1/4" barrel.
Very nice gun and perfect for a "townie" or a stingy gun.
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you could loan it to me for a couple decades- I'll take care of it- I promise ;)
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I just bought one like your top picture, but mine has a 3 1/4" barrel.
Very nice gun and perfect for a "townie" or a stingy gun.
I am currently doing a statistical analysis on Smith & Wesson Top-break .38 Variations. My tentitive results show that:
75% were Nickle plated.
60% have 3 1/4" barrels
&
75% have the std black hard rubber grips.
I have data on four small collections with more surveys out/pending. If any of you have collections of 4 or more I would like to send you my survey form. When I get data on at least 100 pistols I will format and publish my findings.
Thanks
Books
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"If any of you have collections of 4 or more I would like to send you my survey form."
Great -- now I've got some shopping to do! ;D
I like homework assignments like this one...
Old No7
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To simplify loading, I use the same .358 sized home-cast bullets as I use in my regular .38s, .357 mag, and my 9mm.
The smithies and other .38 S&W guns shoot way better than most would expect. 25 yd hits on a sheet of paper are not unusual in deliberate fire. Quite well for a 41/2" sight radius & those skinny disappearing sights. The 38 "slim" big lube bullet is a delight with a compressed load of BP beneath.
Slim