Hello everyone, I am brand new to this forum. I posted this same thread on gunboards forums but then noticed this forum seems to be a little more active when it comes to old top breaks, so I think some feedback from you fine people would be nice!
I have always wanted a top break, and for $150 I couldn't pass this one up. It is in 38 S&W and, in my opinion, a real beauty compared to most others encountered. The function of the revolver seems really tight and the action, as far as I can tell without having fired it yet, seems excellent. The bluing is nice and deep except for a few areas, and it has some general freckling throughout, but for a gun 100 or so years old the finish is gorgeous. Bore has some light pitting but rifling is strong and it is shiny except for those few areas. Grips are excellent and the trigger even has some charming case hardening.
If anyone has some further info (like year estimate) that would be great. I know the markings indicate it is of the smokeless powder era. S/N is 71150 and matches in all locations (even etched under the grips!). I will probably do an intimate dis-assembly and cleaning before the range. All the springs seem good for now but I am thinking of getting the Wollf "ultimate/mega" spring set for these type revolvers just in case something goes awry.
I feel like the commonly held belief that these are junkers doesn't quite hold true...it seems like a pretty good quality revolver to me and it just oozes character!
Thanks for the help/comments!
I have always wanted a top break, and for $150 I couldn't pass this one up. It is in 38 S&W and, in my opinion, a real beauty compared to most others encountered. The function of the revolver seems really tight and the action, as far as I can tell without having fired it yet, seems excellent. The bluing is nice and deep except for a few areas, and it has some general freckling throughout, but for a gun 100 or so years old the finish is gorgeous. Bore has some light pitting but rifling is strong and it is shiny except for those few areas. Grips are excellent and the trigger even has some charming case hardening.
If anyone has some further info (like year estimate) that would be great. I know the markings indicate it is of the smokeless powder era. S/N is 71150 and matches in all locations (even etched under the grips!). I will probably do an intimate dis-assembly and cleaning before the range. All the springs seem good for now but I am thinking of getting the Wollf "ultimate/mega" spring set for these type revolvers just in case something goes awry.
I feel like the commonly held belief that these are junkers doesn't quite hold true...it seems like a pretty good quality revolver to me and it just oozes character!
Thanks for the help/comments!