Smith & Wesson .38 Safety Hammerless Revolver (4th Model) and Original Box

Smith & Wesson Revolver – .38 Safety Hammerless (4th Model)

Manufacture: 1898+ – Caliber: .38 S&W – Original box, beautiful period blued finish

An elegant Smith & Wesson .38 Safety Hammerless in the rare 3¼-inch short-barrel version, retaining a beautiful original blued finish and accompanied by its matching original box. A remarkable and highly sought-after collector's set.

History

The Smith & Wesson .38 Safety Hammerless Double Action revolver—nicknamed the "New Departure"—was one of the most popular revolvers produced by Smith & Wesson in the late 19th century. Manufactured between 1887 and 1940, it is distinguished by its fully internal hammer, resulting in a compact, safe firearm that is particularly well-suited for concealed carry. The 4th Model, produced from 1898 to 1907, represents one of the key variants in this famous series. Over 100,000 units were manufactured during this period, with barrel lengths ranging from 3¼ inches to 6 inches. Its top-break mechanism with automatic shell extraction remains one of Smith & Wesson's major technical achievements. At the time, these revolvers were supplied in cardboard boxes marked with the barrel length, caliber, and finish specifications.

Sets that have retained their original box are significantly rarer today and are particularly prized by collectors of antique American firearms.

Our Model

This superb set consists of a Smith & Wesson .38 Safety Hammerless 4th Model, accompanied by its original box, which perfectly matches the firearm. The metal components retain a significant portion of their period bluing, presenting a particularly elegant appearance. The trigger still shows traces of its original case hardening. The Smith & Wesson markings are perfectly crisp and entirely correct. The matching serial number (140XXX)—found on the frame, cylinder, and yoke—guarantees the set's authenticity. The original gutta-percha grips are in excellent condition and fit perfectly.

Mechanically, the revolver functions excellently: smooth opening, firm locking, precise indexing, and no play or excessive cylinder gap. Its 3¼-inch .38 S&W barrel features a bright bore with deep, well-defined rifling, showing only minor signs of use.

The firearm comes with its original box.

The firearm is sold with an official classification certificate designating it as a Category D historical weapon, issued by the Saint-Étienne National Proof House.