Source: ATF P 5300.11 · Curios or Relics List · Jan 1972 – Apr 20253,573 entries · 4 sections
The C&R RegisterA finding aid to the ATF Curios or Relics List, for Type 03 collectors
C&R · II · 488

S&W .38 Safety Hammerless

Section II: curio or relic, still subject to the Gun Control Act

Official wording

ATF P 5300.11 · APRIL 2025 EDITION · SECTION II · VERBATIM · PDF P. 16 ↗

Smith & Wesson, .38 Safety Hammerless Top Break (New Departure), cal. .38 S&W, S/Ns 19901 and higher.

What this entry requires

  • ATF REQUIRESYour serial number is one ATF listsATF: “S/Ns 19901 and higher”
  • INFOATF states no date; production was about 1888–1940.

Editorial facts · Our research

Country
United States
Manufacturer
Smith & Wesson
Type
Pistol²
Action
Other
Caliber
.38 S&W
Made
S/N 19901 and higher · c. 1888–1940production; ATF states no date¹
Service
Commercial
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Source

Official wording
ATF P 5300.11, April 2025 edition · Section II · PDF p. 16 ↗ · ATF original ↗
Entries
1 line
Verbatim check
Checked against the PDF text before every release
Editorial facts
Confidence: Medium · Last revised 18 October 2026 (Evidence pass) · How we rate confidence
References
  1. Wikipedia, “Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless” ↗, years: produced from 1887 to 1940; .32 and .38 S&W
  2. Wikipedia, “Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless” ↗, type: Wikipedia: infobox type Revolver
Fact tags
  • ATF the ATF wording states it.
  • REF ¹ an outside reference supports it; the number points to the list of references.
  • ESTIMATE an approximate or indirect reading, for example the production range of the base model.
  • NO CITATION we haven’t attached a reference for this fact; it’s our editorial reading, not ATF’s.
Source checked
20 October 2026: ATF’s page still lists the April 2025 edition
Corrections
1 change · see below

Correction history

  1. Data-trust reviewEditorial confidence: Low → Medium. Re-rated after supporting references were added or re-checked.

All corrections · How corrections work

Historical context

S&W .38 Safety Hammerless

Image: Wikimedia Commons, “S&W Lemon Squeezer.JPG” by Steven.balch, CC BY-SA 3.0. Retrieved October 2026.

Summary: Wikipedia, “Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless”. Text CC BY-SA 4.0.

FROM WIKIPEDIA

The Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless or Smith & Wesson New Departure is a double-action revolver that was produced from 1887 to 1940 by Smith & Wesson. Based on the Smith & Wesson Model 2 double-action design, the revolver incorporated an internal hammer and an external grip safety on its back-strap. It was chambered in .32 S&W and .38 S&W calibers; these revolvers were discontinued prior to World War II, being eclipsed by the stronger hand ejector models.