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Questions about an antique Smith and Wesson

lonesome00
I know my dad had this gun long before I was born but I do not know its origins. The wording on the top of the barrel is very difficult to read but I can make out Smith and Wesson and several months and numbers which are ended by what appears to be 1871. I am assuming the months and numbers are dates but I have no idea why it would have so many. It is a five shot revolver but I do not know the caliber. On the bottom of the grip S542 is stamped. Can any ne tell me about this weapon?

http://yfrog.com/6ldsc01170jj

http://yfrog.com/1sdsc01169j

I hope the photographs show up. I have never linked anything before.
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Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • lonesome00
    I am going to try something here.

    <img src="http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/9247/dsc01169.jpg&quot; alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>By <a target="_new" href="http://profile.imageshack.us/user/lonesome00">lonesome00</a>, shot with <a target="_new" href="http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=DSC-H10&make=SONY">DSC-H10</a&gt; at 2009-12-13
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  • lonesome00
    I have no idea how to make the photographs show up in the post.
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  • Hawk Carse
    You illustrate a Smith & Wesson .38 Single Action First Model, also known as Model No 2 First Issue or "Baby Russian." 25,548 were made in 1876-1877 only. Caliber is .38 S&W but do not overload it with current manufacture smokeless ammunition.

    Nickel plated guns like yours were actually more common than blue, easier to clean from black powder. Most had black hard rubber grips but the picture in Flayderman's book actually shows pearl handles like yours.

    All the dates are patent dates for the many mechanical innovations in Smith & Wesson revolvers of the time.

    There is a "sticky" on how to post pictures at the top of the thread.


    Not terribly common. True, they made 25,000+ but there were 108,000 similar Second Model and 28,000 Third Model which had a trigger guard. Not real scarce and valuable, resale for a few hundred bucks. Look for completed auctions.
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  • lonesome00
    So it is a pretty common weapon I take it? It has not been fired it over 30 years that I know of and I have no intentions of doing it now. Everything appears to work and a light cleaning with some oild and steel wool seems to be all it needs. How can I find the value of it? Oh and thank you for educating me on this pistol.
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  • rufe-snow
    dsc01169.jpg
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  • lonesome00
    Thanks, that makes it much easier.

    I have looked up these guns now that I know what they are and found a wide spectrum on value. How can I locate the value of the exact model I have?
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  • rufe-snow
    quote:Originally posted by lonesome00
    Thanks, that makes it much easier.

    I have looked up these guns now that I know what they are and found a wide spectrum on value. How can I locate the value of the exact model I have?


    The value of antique firearms is based on demand, i.e. two or more collectors competing to purchase it.

    Factory originality and cosmetic condition is a big factor driving demand.

    My 2?, from your photo, is that the problems with the deteriorating nickel finish and replacement grips would have a very negative affect on value.

    Probably would grade out as being in Good Condition as far as collectors were concerned,
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  • lonesome00
    I htought the grips were original. Oh well, it looks nice hanging up with the rest of my guns. But I was thinking it would be better suited for a collector.
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