DOB & $ for an old S&W!!

Retired LTC, USAR · #1 08-15-2010, 08:34 PM

Gentleman:

I need information on the following wheelgun:

A 38 Special S&W.
6" pencil barrel.
5 screw p&r.
Half moon front sight.
Serial number on the butt is 517847with a "star" and on the under side of the barrel, abover the extractor rod, is a "B" in front of 517847.
S&W logo is below the cylnder latch

Owner thinks it was sent back to S&W for a new barrel. Is that what the "star" and "B" means?

Condition is at least 95%.

What can you tell me about this fine Smith.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

SASABERANGER · #2 08-15-2010, 09:29 PM

Col,
It may be pinned, but should not be recessed. (P&R). Only magnums and .22s were recessed.
"B" indicates blued gun.
* Indicates rework of some type, remove the grips and you should find a date when the gun was fixed at S&W. No way to tell what the repair or mod was. Since barrel is serialized to the gun I doubt that it was replaced.
It sounds like a standard garden variety 6" M&P, {pre model 10}
A ship date is at best approximate, sometime after 1912 and before 1942,
Can't really estimate a value beyond a $250 to $500 range. I don't know how unusual the 6" variety M&P is or if it commands a premium.
Thom Braxton
SWCA #1474

Alk8944 · #3 08-15-2010, 10:51 PM

It is a Model 1905 4th Change Military & Police. The "B" means nothing more than the barrel was to be blued when new. If the serial number is well aligned, or the first 5 numerals are straight with the last one possibly showing minor mis-alignment then it is most likely original. If the digits are apparently hand-stamped with single stamps then it is a replacement.

The "Star" only means the gun was back to S&W at some time for some type of re-work. This could have been re-finish or major/minor parts replacement of any sort. Under the left stock you should find a number hand-stamped roughly parallel to the front of the frame and on the side of the front strap. Depending on time repairs were made it will vary some showing month and year or month-day-year, generally having the elements divided by . , as 6.18.35, meaning of course June 18, 1935.

(Started about 7:30 pm)