I was just given some old revolvers, help on ID and value?

[Aikibiker]

My Aunt was cleaning out a house she is trying to sell. In the attic she found three old revolvers. Knowing I am the family gun nut she packed them in a box and dropped them off at my door the other night.

Of the first two, one is not safe to fire (due to it being cheap junk) and th eother (A S&W Model 1 1/2) is not mechanically functional and I would have no idea whereto get ammo for it.

The last is an old S&W double action .38 spl. S/N: 538xx I am not sure what model it is, but I think it is a 1905. Sorry revolvers are not my area of expertise. I want to rehab this revolver and get it shooting again. It seems in good mechanical shape. THe only issue with it I see is th efinish is badly patinaed. I would like to refinsh this revolver with dura coat and make it into a training revolver to teach new shooters, however if it has some intrinsic value or is a rare model I do not want to ruin a piece of history.



All three



The two nonfunctional weapons



The training gun candidate



Right side



Close up of some markings
The top of the barrel has a lot of writing on it, but I could not get a decent picture and it is almost a book, so I am not typing it out. Cliff's notes is: Patent info and dates.

 

[pete950]

Need Pics

 

[Aikibiker]

Need Pics

I put some in the original post. Are they not working for you?

Here is a direct link to the S&W double action I am hoping to get ID'd and some opinions on whether dura-coating it to make a training gun for new shooters is a good idea or ruining a piece of history:

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad273/aikibiker/Old revolvers/DSCF1539.jpg

Right side

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad273/aikibiker/Old revolvers/DSCF1537.jpg

Left side

 

[rcmodel]

and some opinions on whether dura-coating it to make a training gun for new shooters

Bad idea, but not because of any collector value it might have.

It does not have the positive drop safety of all post war S&W's.

rc

 

[Aikibiker]

Bad idea, but not because of any collector value it might have.

It does not have the positive drop safety of all post war S&W's.

rc

Can you tell me anything about it? What model it is etc.?

 

[Jim Watson]

The midget double action is one of a multitude of Saturday Night Specials of the turn of the (last) century. In the 1901 catalog, Sears sold a similar no-name revolver for $1.50 when a H&R or IJ was $.05-$.12 more. I figure one that doesn't work is still worth about the same, but somebody might pay a bit for a display novelty.

The spur trigger S&W is a .38 Single Action First Model, the "Baby Russian."
Only made for two years, it would be a good catch if in better condition.
I can't guess the value if nonfunctional. Depends largely on what is wrong with it and whether it could reasonably be fixed.

The serial number of the Military & Police make it a Model of 1902, First Change, 1903-1905.

 

[Aikibiker]

A quick google search on "Model of 1902, First Change" is leading to believe this revolver is chambered in .38 long and .38 spl would not be safe to fire in it. Is that correct?

 

[rcmodel]

It says .38 S&W Special right on the barrel in the last photo.

That is what it is chambered for.

Use standard velocity lead bullet loads.

No +P.

rc

 

[Aikibiker]

Thank you RC.

My Mom is actually very enthusiastic about shooting it. Apparently it is very similar to one she shot with my Grandfather when she was little.