Caliber help

cornbean

I have a Eastern Arms Co. top break revolver serial #97637. No caliber designation. 38 S&W ammo fits in the cylinder nicely, or could it be 38 short colt? Safe to shoot? Thanks

Hawk Carse

As best I can find, Eastern Arms was one of the Sears & Roebuck brands made by Meriden Fire Arms Co from 1905-1918.
Caliber is .38 S&W. That caliber is not now loaded any hotter than it was when it was first made in smokeless, so I would consider the gun safe to shoot IF IN SOUND CONDITION.

rufe-snow

We have no way of ascertaining if it's safe to shoot or not, over the net?

Being that Meriden has been out of business for 95 years. And according to the late Bill Goforth, made handguns of questionable quality. Probably best to take it to a gunsmith, for inspection of lockup and timing, and have it test fired.

Riomouse911

R-S has it right, before you shoot it have it checked out by someone who knows what they're doing. Fingers, hands, and eyes don't grow back should this gun be a lemon.

Ray B

To use it as a throw-down you don't actually have to shoot it.

MIKE WISKEY

just to note; the .38 short colt has a smaller dia. case, if the .38 S&W fits then that's what it is.

nmyers

I would not fire it under any circumstances.

Contrary to what you may have seen on the pawn shop reality show, being able to fire an old gun does not increase it's value. If it is complete, it has some value; if you blow it up, it will have none. Not to mention the cost of a trip to the emergency room to have shrapnel removed from your face.

Some things are just not worth doing.

Neal

ruger41

I had a Eastern Arms in .32 S&W...my uncle carried it during the Watts Riot. They aren't the best made topbreak. Before you fire it have it checked and only fire light cowboy loads in it. Ten X makes both smokeless and blackpowder .38 S&W ammo for your gun. Both loads are light cowboy action loads. Just remember if you use the blackpowder to clean the gun immediately after shooting it.
http://tenxammo.com/tenx_ammo_B.html