OutdoorMissouri.com

Fellows: I have recently been given a pistol. It is a .38 that looks to be dated 1880. In fact, it is called a Wesson .38. I guess before it was Smith & Wesson. Anyway, it says on the gun something like 17 of 25, 1880. I was wondering if this gun would be worth any money?

This thing has a serial #. Heck, it could have belonged to Frank or Jesse. I just figured it being an 1880 model it might be worth a dime or two.

I just googled it. Seems like Smth and Wesson teamed up in 1852. So something here does not jive. Here is A LINK to some older S&W pistols, including a .38 Double-Action (1880).

I'll give you a nickel, and a swift kick in the pants for it.

It'll be hard to find details on limited production runs like that. 25 pistols out of however many were made by S&W, must be target model, or specifically made as gifts to public officials etc.

I doubt Jesse James owned it you freakin' moron.

Well, I would just have to show it to someone. It breaks down like a shotgun. On top of the barrel, it says Wesson. Does not say Smith. Then, it lists a bunch of years that I suppose are patent dates. The last year it says is 1880. Right before that, it says 17 of 25, whatever the heck that means.

dave-t. said:
I doubt Jesse James owned it you freakin' moron.

It was found in a shed in IL, so I doubt it too. I'm guessing maybe some other famous bank robber.

Oh, yeah, I know what you're talking about, PS. I hate to burst your bubble, but this was part of a promotion in the 1960's on the part of Wesson corn oil. Collect 10 Proof of Purchases and mail them to the company and they'd send you a replica of an 1880's pistol.

Those break top pistols were the prefered gun of the day. They unloaded and loaded much faster than the Colt single action with it's swing loading gate.



I'm pretty sure it's a target model, unless is is realy ornate and has a lot of decoration.

It is just a basic old pistol. Kindof dark coloration where it is tarnished. I'm afraid to shoot the darn thing.

Sounds like a schofield breed of gun to me.

What do you mean? A piece of crap? I just find it interesting that it doesn't say Smith on it.

Who would want to put the name "Smith" on something they didn't have to? It would have only de-valued it more.

Good point, Two Tigers.