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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 02-25-2011, 03:21 PM
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I have been offered an older S&W 38 special revolver but don't know which model it is. I'm more familiar with guns from around the 1980's.

I only have one photograph for now but will have clearer pictures and serial number tomorrow.

Can you help me identify this gun?

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Old 02-25-2011, 03:26 PM
hsguy hsguy is offline
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The gun is a pre-war Model Military & Police model. If you provide the serial number from the butt we could give more precise info.
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Old 02-25-2011, 03:29 PM
mikepriwer mikepriwer is online now
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Its a 1905 M&P, from the 1910 - 1920 era, judging from the grips. It
appears to exhibit a lot of wear, both to the finish and the grips.

Its curious that the front sight is a pinned blade, with a forged fixed
rear sight. Either it was custom-ordered that way, or some previous
owner opted to have the original forged front sight blade milled off, and
replaced with a target blade. That probably is a Lyman blade, but
could also be a Sheard or Marble. If you get to see the gun, look
closely at the side of the front sight blade, to see if there is a name
on it.

The full serial number, with nothing xx-ed out, will be helpful.

Mike Priwer
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Old 02-25-2011, 03:35 PM
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Looks like a .38 Hand Ejector (Military & Police) Model of 1905. Because of the presence of a trigger rebound slide stud, it is at least a first change, but could also be second. That seems to be a 6.5-inch barrel, which means it is not a third or fourth change. So it probably dates from 1907-1909, around there.

I picked up a 6.5 inch 1905/First recently. Haven't shot it yet, but took a few pics to see if it would make a new avatar.




EDITED TO ADD: Mike's right about the medallion grips. If they are original, the gun is at least a year or two later than I thought it might be.
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Last edited by DCWilson; 02-25-2011 at 03:45 PM.
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Old 02-25-2011, 03:53 PM
Oyeboteb Oyeboteb is offline
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May have been re-Barreled with a long Target Barrel, or special Ordered that way ( if much less likely ) in which a standard shape Front Sight was pinned.


Good looking Revolver!


What is the Barrel Length? Measured from the end of the Cylinder to the end of the Muzzle?
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Old 02-25-2011, 04:38 PM
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I'll try and get a few clear photo's of the front site as well. May be an interesting gun to letter since I live in South Africa. The person selling it says it has been in the family (and the country) a very long time.

Will post what I have tomorrow.

Best regards, Racingsnake
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Old 02-25-2011, 05:27 PM
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It appears to have a 6.5" barrel. If the barrel flat near the ejector rod has the same serial number as the rest of the metal parts, it does have an unusual front sight; it could also be a replacement barrel from a Target model.
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Old 02-26-2011, 04:24 AM
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The serial number is 163581.

I could only get one more semi-reasonable photograph. Will get more on Monday.

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