Boxed 5th Model Smith & Wesson 38 New Departure Safety Hammerless 1926

Serial #256851, .38 S&W, 3.25 inch round ribbed barrel with a bright, excellent bore.  This is a Fifth Model .38 Safety Hammerless revolver manufactured by Smith & Wesson which the factory letter indicates shipped on July 30, 1926.  In excellent plus condition the metal surfaces retain about 96-98% original nickel finish with some very fine flaking along the sides of the barrel and one cylinder flat along with some buff marks on the back surface of the right recoil shield.   The trigger guard and small latch parts retain 99% original bright blue and the trigger displays attractive smoky case-hardened colors. The checkered hard rubber grips rate excellent with the right panel appropriately scratch-numbered to the gun. All of the serialized parts are matching, barrel-to-frame fit is excellent and the action seems to function well mechanically with solid timing and lock-up. The revolver also includes an original red pebble grain box properly end labeled to the gun that does not show any pencil number on the base in about excellent condition with a few light handling marks and a touch of light soiling and very fine printed directions on the interior of the lid.  Included is a factory letter from Smith & Wesson.  This is an outstanding example of a Fifth Model 38 Safety Hammerless.  This gun was previously sold at Amoskeag Auction as part of the Roy Jinks Family Collection. FFL or C&R