Smith & Wesson .38 Safety Hammerless 3rd Model Nickel 3.25″ Revolver, 5-Shot DAO, Mother of Pearl Grips
This 3rd Model Smith & Wesson .38 Safety Hammerless stands out with its factory nickel finish, full-rib 3.25-inch barrel, and distinctive mother of pearl grips produced between 1890 and 1898. Chambered in .38 S&W and built on S&W’s concealed-hammer, double-action-only frame, it delivers a compact five-shot package that appeals to collectors of late-19th-century American revolvers.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Fair – Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Rifling Condition: Fair Rifling – Worn rifling, slight loss of definition.
The revolver exhibits moderate scratching, scuffing, finish loss, and blemishing across the metal surfaces.
What’s Included
- Smith & Wesson .38 Safety Hammerless 3rd Model revolver
The 3rd Model represents the heart of the Safety Hammerless line, produced only from 1890 to 1898, giving this example a defined historical window. Its double-action-only mechanism eliminates an external hammer, reducing snag risk while maintaining reliable ignition.
The factory nickel finish adds period-correct glare resistance and corrosion protection. Even with evident wear, the plating testifies to its era’s manufacturing practices and S&W’s commitment to durable surface treatments.
Mother of pearl grips elevate the revolver’s presentation, offering a bright, iridescent contrast to the nickel frame. These factory-style panels were a popular upgrade at the time and remain sought after today.
The 3.25-inch full-rib barrel balances concealability with sight radius. A half-moon front blade pairs with the integral rear notch for straightforward, period-appropriate sighting.
Chambered for the .38 S&W cartridge and holding five rounds, this top-break style revolver (with cylinder capacity noted) embodies a transitional design that bridged late black-powder revolvers and early smokeless-powder sidearms.