Smith & Wesson .38 Safety Hammerless 3rd Model "Lemon Squeezer" .38 S&W, 3.25 in Barrel, Top-Break DAO, Antique
This Smith & Wesson .38 Safety Hammerless 3rd Model stands out as an antique, late-19th-century top-break revolver with its concealed hammer and grip safety. Built between 1890 and 1898, it represents the classic "Lemon Squeezer" design in .38 S&W with a 3.25-inch barrel and 5-round cylinder. Its Third Model features include the top latch and automatic star extractor, making it a distinctive and collectible example within the long-running Safety Hammerless series produced from 1887 to 1940.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: There is a small chip at the bottom of the grip. Surface rust and finish wear are present consistent with its age.
What’s Included
- Bonus hard case
Third Model details define this revolver: a top latch paired with a top-break frame and automatic star extractor. The internal (concealed) hammer and double-action-only mechanism deliver snag-free operation, while the integral grip safety is a hallmark of the Safety Hammerless design.
Chambered in .38 S&W, it uses a 5-round cylinder and a 3.25-inch barrel with a top rib. Sighting is straightforward with a fixed half-moon front sight and a fixed rear notch integral to the top latch.
The revolver is built on a carbon steel frame with a blued finish, with the receiver matching; the cylinder is in-the-white/bare steel from heavy finish loss.
Also known as the "Lemon Squeezer," the Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless line ran from 1887 to 1940. This 3rd Model variant dates to 1890–1898, was made in the USA, and qualifies as an antique, offering strong appeal for collectors of late-19th-century S&W top-breaks.