I'm not much of a Smith fan but was thinking of this for side matches is it a good deal or stay away from.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/833082655
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/833082655
looking for help
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A link is supposed to be attached
RevolvingGarbage
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Seems like a lot for a refinished top break that should only really be fired with blackpowder loaded ammo. I think you could do a lot better for that kind of money, even if you only want something to shoot a CAS side match.
Edit* His link is listed as a tag on his post. It's a gunbroker auction. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/833082655
Edit* His link is listed as a tag on his post. It's a gunbroker auction. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/833082655
MosinT53Hunter
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Planning on shooting it, or just as a wall hanger?
Driftwood Johnson
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Howdy
Definitely refinished. The joint where the side plate meets the frame should not be so pronounced. Typical of an over polishing job. Also there is something funky about the large side plate screw. It looks to me to have been replaced with something other than the original type of screw.
This is what the screw should look like, and the side plate joint should be almost invisible, like this.
However the 38-40 version of the S&W Top Break 44 Double Action is very rare. There were only 276 of them made. Usually identified as the .38 Winchester Double Action.
If I saw that locally and was able to handle it, and if it seemed OK to me I would be all over it at that price, mostly because of the rarity of that caliber.
However I would only fire it with ammunition loaded with Black Powder, I would not put any modern Smokeless ammo through it.
By the way, that is an antique, and no FFL should be required to buy it.
Definitely refinished. The joint where the side plate meets the frame should not be so pronounced. Typical of an over polishing job. Also there is something funky about the large side plate screw. It looks to me to have been replaced with something other than the original type of screw.
This is what the screw should look like, and the side plate joint should be almost invisible, like this.
However the 38-40 version of the S&W Top Break 44 Double Action is very rare. There were only 276 of them made. Usually identified as the .38 Winchester Double Action.
If I saw that locally and was able to handle it, and if it seemed OK to me I would be all over it at that price, mostly because of the rarity of that caliber.
However I would only fire it with ammunition loaded with Black Powder, I would not put any modern Smokeless ammo through it.
By the way, that is an antique, and no FFL should be required to buy it.
herrwalther
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Now that you point it out, the screw was definately replaced. The replaced screw looks like a slotted head with an insert in the middle. Not sure why the gunsmith (or whomever) went with a more complex screw. Unless they just wanted to show off?
Zaydok Allen
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Says it's a refinish. Even with the letter, early manufacture date, and rarity, I don't think I'd be paying that much for it. If it was all original I would consider it, but I wouldn't shoot it in any sort of match. I'd shoot it on the 4th of July and keep it in good shape.
Maybe the rarity makes it worth it, despite the refinish.
Maybe the rarity makes it worth it, despite the refinish.
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