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04-20-2011, 06:42 PM
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.38 Smith and Wesson Special CTG
I would like some help identifying exactly what I have (wife found it in her uncles house after he passed away, he was not a police officer).
From the little research I conducted I think it is a 4 screw Hand Ejector (M&P) from circa 1910-1919 as it looks as though it had brass medallions on the grips as opposed to wooden button/mushroom knob or silver medallions.
Was there a particular timeframe they were nickel plated?
Not sure of Frame Model.
Serial # 2182XX (on butt of grip)
Crane # 4595
I would like to have it refinished for sentimental reasons, and would love to find original grips as it seems the brass medallions were filled off, any idea where I could find them?
Thanks,
Fellow S/W owner.
Last edited by Twins; 04-20-2011 at 07:32 PM.
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04-20-2011, 07:43 PM
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The grips don't appear to be original because they don't seem to fit right. I'm not sure what kind of grip this originally had but I'm thinking hard rubber. Someone else here will know more than I.
Personally I wouldn't refinish it but leave it as is.
According to the serial number it was made between 1909-1915 making it a Model 1905 3rd Change.
Nice old Smith.
Last edited by twaits; 04-20-2011 at 07:51 PM.
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04-20-2011, 08:37 PM
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I think there is a chance the stocks may be correct. They seem to be a little loose. Is that because of a crack in the right side that runs through the screw escutcheon? I see a line there, but I don't know if it is truly a crack or just a feature in the wood. AFTERTHOUGHT: Please see my post below.
If you take the stocks off, you may find a number written in pencil on the right panel. It will probably be hard to see, so rock the grip back and forth under a strong light. The graphite will reflect the light more strongly than the wood and any oil on it. You should be able to read the number, but even if you can only read a couple of digits, that may be enough to tie them to the gun as original equipment.
As to nickeling, there are no chronological implications; nickel was always available as a finish option.
I agree -- 1905/Third Change. And by interpolation, probably from 1913-1914. (But that's just following the odds; S&W did not make it a policy to ship in serial number order, and lower number guns sometimes went out months after guns with later numbers.
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David Wilson
Last edited by DCWilson; 04-20-2011 at 10:53 PM.
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04-20-2011, 09:43 PM
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I agree that the grips don't fit right, and I'm inclined also to think
that they are not original to the gun. I can't tell about that dark line
on the right grip panel - it looks more like a grain line, but maybe its
cracked there.
The gun doesn't have a lot of monetary value - maybe $150 t0 $200.
As a family heirloom, its your call as to whether spending $300 or
more to get it refinished , is worth it. With a good nickel refinish, it
might help the value somewhat, being as how your cost basis is
probably zero.
The thing about these M&P's is that there is a lot of them - like
hundreds of thousands, so unless one is in 95% or better condition,
they are not worth much, monetarily. And a refinished example of a
very common gun is never worth much, anyway.
Mike Priwer
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04-20-2011, 10:40 PM
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So far everyone seems to agree it is a .38 Hand Ejector 3rd Change. Actually late third change from the SN, 1914 or 1915, probably 1915.
The stocks definitely are not correct. This gun could have had either Hard Rubber or Gold Medallion Circassian Walnut stocks. You can look as long as you want, you won't find this guns SN penciled on them. My best guess is the stocks came from a Spanish M&P copy by any of several makers, most of which did not clearly mark their guns. I say this sue to a combination of things, fit, appearance of checkering and border, and the screw entering from the wrong side.
Why are the medallions filed off? Probably because they had a Spanish company's logo on them. Too bad the hammer mechanic didn't at least polish them instead of leaving the file marks!
After looking again at both sides of the gun I can't tell which side the stock screw head is on, can't see a slot on either side! Is it on the left or right?
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Gunsmithing since 1961
Last edited by Alk8944; 04-20-2011 at 10:45 PM.
Reason: Stock screw
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04-20-2011, 10:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alk8944
So far everyone seems to agree it is a .38 Hand Ejector 3rd Change. Actually late third change from the SN, 1914 or 1915, probably 1915.
The stocks definitely are not correct. This gun could have had either Hard Rubber or Gold Medallion Circassian Walnut stocks. You can look as long as you want, you won't find this guns SN penciled on them. My best guess is the stocks came from a Spanish M&P copy by any of several makers, most of which did not clearly mark their guns. I say this sue to a combination of things, fit, appearance of checkering and border, and the screw entering from the wrong side.
Why are the medallions filed off? Probably because they had a Spanish company's logo on them. Too bad the hammer mechanic didn't at least polish them instead of leaving the file marks!
After looking again at both sides of the gun I can't tell which side the stock screw head is on, can't see a slot on either side! Is it on the left or right?
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Color me persuaded. I thought I couldn't make out medallion details because my eyes were tired. I now agree these are not original. The OP should not waste time looking for serial numbers.
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David Wilson
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04-21-2011, 08:33 AM
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I don't see a screw slot either. Did someone rivet those grips on?
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04-21-2011, 11:04 AM
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I would like to thank everyone for their responses. As for the grips, I can post a better picture later (they are only held together by what I can only imagine is a toothpick). With respect to refinishing, I am not selling it but just thought (if the price was right, which it doesn't seem to be) that it would look nicer, that's all, never really concerned with improving it's monetary value, just asthetics.
Thanks again!
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04-21-2011, 04:53 PM
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Last edited by Twins; 04-21-2011 at 05:05 PM.
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