Help identifying a possible buy!

Bauer93 · #1 12-04-2020, 01:56 PM

Hey folks. I need some help with a S&W I could possibly buy. I would like to identify the model and need some help doing that.

Firstly, it would be interesting to note that I live in Brazil, since that might be relevant in identifying the gun. To make a long story short, S&W guns are not that common over here these days, and most revolvers that are still in the market are either illegal or not-registered (bought before a bunch of laws were passed 20 years ago), which means you could register it and make it legal, provided all the serial numbers check out.

Context explaining over, I attached some pictures of what I manage to find following the forum guide on "To IDENTIFY your Gun". The gun is chambered in 38 Special, and it's a hand-ejector. Serial number on the butt, cilinder and barrel all match, and it appears to be "523268". No letter prefix or model marking anywhere I could see. Barrel lenght is short of 5 inches (12cm, or 4.7 inches to be exact). Sights are fixed. That's all I got.

I will provide more pictures and info if necessary, but the posting guide says that's usually all you gun wizards need to identify it.

Thanks for the help!

pittpa · #2 12-04-2020, 02:35 PM

Ha d minute to kill, so turned your last pic around.

Wiregrassguy · #3 12-04-2020, 02:37 PM

Bom Dia! Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! It appears you have a 38 military and police revolver from around 1926 - 27.

Guy

Camster · #4 12-04-2020, 02:38 PM

Welcome.
Not an expert, but I'll say that it is a 1920's era Military and Police.

Bauer93 · #5 12-04-2020, 04:23 PM

Thanks for the answers, and thanks for turning the pic around pittpa. That's some good news, guns like these go for a pretty penny here down south, and you don't see one everyday.

Bad news is, I was informed by more knowledgeable colleagues that it is currently impossible to legalize such a gun, since we're kinda in a legal limbo when it comes to firearms pre-2005 ban. Meaning I won't be getting anywhere near this gun. A shame. The owner's only options are to illegaly hide the gun away and never use it, or hand it out to government officials for it to be destroyed, and get the equivalent of 20 US dollars for it. Yeah...

There are other parts of this forum for legal and political talk, but remember to never stop fighting for your rights, dudes. You've no idea how much worse it can get. Thanks for all who helped me!

glowe · #6 12-04-2020, 05:09 PM

Welcome! 38 Hand Ejector, Military & Police. 4th Change that shipped from the factory most likely in 1926. It has been heavily used, little finish left, some marks and pitting, plus may have been buffed at some point. A big issue is that I notice is that someone has ground off the lower front of the frame, perhaps to better go into a holster, but an alteration.

Here in the US, it would be a $200 gun, maybe less, but I would venture to say it most likely will function just fine. Too bad it cannot be owned legally in your country.