Smith and Wesson 38. Secret Service Special Revolver?

Question

Hi.

Id like to ask if anyone could possible tell me the value of a certain antique weapon.

It it a Smith and Wesson 38. Secret Service Special Revolver.

Barrel is approx 3 inches long and has a 6 digit serial number on the stock. Item is worn and a bit rusted but it seems to be surface rust.

I'm looking for its basic value as well as perhaps some links as to where i could sell it for a reasonable price. Any info would be appreciated!

http://webpages.charter.net/madhat106/revolver.gif

Answer 1

Whether you really have an extraordinary weapon or not, for a fair evaluation, one needs to have it's physical condition, as well as its' model & make verified, and this can only be done 'hands-on' by a reputable dealer or gunsmith, preferrably one who specializes in S&W weapons. Even then, get more than one evaluation, if the first isn't what you want to hear.

ALL old S&W revolvers I have ever seen, including the 'hammerless' break-top .38 I inherited from my Father & GranPappy, have their S&W name & patents factory stamped on the top of the barrel.
I believe your .38S&W revolver is a clone, made by a competitor such as H&R or Iver Johnson, as the trigger is completely different from my DAO 'S&W".

I inherited two nickel-plated S&W 1917 .45ACP revolvers that several 'authorities' informed me were only worth $150-200.
Turns out, I was finally given a VERIFIED evaluation by a S&W expert that both weapons were from a limited S&W factory refurbishment run for Federal guards in D.C. in the 1920's, and were EACH worth 10 TIMES the original estimate.
Your .38 'Secret Service' may be another such a case, so don't believe what any one 'expert' says!

Answer 2

Smith And Wesson 38 Special Hammerless

Answer 3

Hi. I don't know about the 'secret service' part. Someone may have just stamped that on it after buying it. If authentic it should say something like 'US Government property' or possibly even 'US Secret Service' or better still, 'SSD' for secret service division as it was called when founded circa 1865. Who knows, S & W may have made a special run of these revolvers for the government and stamped them 'secret service' back in the early, early days. Problem is, if you work for a clandestine unit like the secret service you don't want you weapon to give away your secret. So you see why I'm wondering if the stamping is authentic.

When I worked for the Edinburg PD in the late Sixties the issued revolvers (all S & W Model 10s or 15s) as well as the department's shotguns n carbines were all stamped: "EPD." Most carried a personal weapon though. One of these would have great sentimental value to me today, but it wouldn't be worth more than its condition dicated. Possibly $250. in good conditions.

From the pics of your revolver it isn't going to be worth a whole lot because it is in very rough shape. Fifty max. Now if you were to carefully clean it up without re-finishing it you might end up with a $150. value if the barrel is still good and it works. Of course, if there is documented history attached to this little revolver (issued to an early secret service man, or something like that) the value could double or even triple.

Good luck.

H

Answer 4

I doubt it you have a Smith & Wesson firearm.

In all probability, what you have is a cheap knock-off made by any number or American makers and branded with a private brand from some distributor such as H.D. Folsom. Or it could be a Belgian or Spanish copy of the S&W Safety Hammerless Revolver with one big difference. Your revolver does not appear to have the grip safety of the Smith & Wesson.

Typically values of this type gun are very low, and the condition does not improve things. I seriously doubt if you could get as much as $100.00. If it is in good mechanical condition, in spite of the rust, you might be able to sell it to a SASS competitor to use in a pocket pistol side match.

Good Luck,

Doc

Answer 5

.38 S&W is the caliber. Secret Service Special is the brand. To be authentic, it would have the S&W logo on the right side of the frame and on the grips and would have no other engraving other than the caliber on the barrel. I have only seen one and it was made in Spain. No S&W logo, but it did have an owl's head on the grip. If you have one of these, they are not even safe to shoot.

Answer 6

What you have is the S&W. 38 Double action revolver. There are 5 variations of this revolver:

First model- Serial numbered 1 thru 4000, produced in 1880

Second model- Pruduced bet. 1880-1884, erial num. bet 4001-119,000

Third Model-produced bet. 1884-1895, er, # 119,001-322,700

Fourth model- Made from 1895-1909, ser. # 322701-539,000

Fifth model- made from 1909-1911, ser # 539,001-554,077

The cartridge designation for the earlier revolvers was caliber 38/100, or as it is know today the .38 S&W [not .38 special].

Impossible to assign a value with knowing its condition. Have it appraised at an antique gun dealer. There were plenty of these guns made, so I would estimate it to be worth no more than about $150-$200 as a collectors piece. .38 S&W is an impotent cartridge, and I personally would not use it for defense purposes.

Answer 7

Smith & Wesson 38 S&W "Secret Service Special" revolver?????Sorry but they don't exist....You must be mistaken in your description.

Answer 8

Id give you $20.01 for it.*>>>> Try gunbroker.com

Answer 9

I GIVE YOU $20 BUCKS FOR IT.