Help for my friend, what did he buy?

glacierflow · #1 12-13-2012, 08:45 PM

Hello All,

I am posting for a fried who recently aquired a S&W revolver and has now decided he wants to know what it is. I tried searching but was having a hard time, so i figured id ask the experts. The serial number on the butt is 379XXX.

PERAZZI · #2 12-13-2012, 09:38 PM

I'm guessing some variation of the Military and Police.

need caliber and more pics would help..

Muley Gil · #3 12-13-2012, 09:39 PM

Welcome to the Forum.

It appears to be a pre WW II .38 Military & Police Model of 1905-4th Change.

I presume it is marked .38 Special.

JP@AK · #4 12-13-2012, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muley Gil

It appears to be a pre WW II .38 Military & Police Model of 1905-4th Change.

Yes. The stocks would indicate shipment in the 1920s, presuming they are original. Also, the ejector rod end appears to be prior to 1927. The serial number would certainly put it in this time frame - I think about 1921.

JP

JP@AK · #5 12-13-2012, 09:55 PM

Also - it appears to be loaded!
An accident looking for a time to happen.
JP

PERAZZI · #6 12-13-2012, 10:13 PM

Damn!! nice catch JP!

JP@AK · #7 12-13-2012, 10:34 PM

Wow, PERAZZI, I just looked it up and there really is a place called Hell, Michigan.
Cool! (or hot, maybe).
JP

glacierflow · #8 12-13-2012, 11:06 PM

Thanks guys,

The gun is marked S&W 38 Special CTG. On the left, as you saw, is the S&W logo in a circle with "Trade" on top and "Mark" underneath. I will get some more pics and post them tomorrow.

And yes, I asked, and the gun was loaded. What can I say.

Bigen623 · #9 12-13-2012, 11:19 PM

I use this gun for hog hunting so i need to know if I should put it up for safe keeping or keep using it? It shoots really good by the way!

gaucho1 · #10 12-13-2012, 11:31 PM

Without disrespect, are you afraid of a loaded revolver?

Did you assume it has been handled in an unsafe manner?

It is a revolver.

JP@AK · #11 12-13-2012, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaucho1

are you afraid of a loaded revolver?

Do I really need to answer this?
Of course I'm not "afraid" of a loaded revolver! But there are times to have them loaded and times to keep them empty. Accidents happen. And they usually happen in a house when someone is doing something with the gun that is unrelated to shooting it - like "checking it out" and taking photos of it. The basic rule is: guns should be unloaded except when in use! Now, a bedside home protection piece is in use. So, keep it loaded. A carry gun in its holster under your arm is in use. So keep it loaded.
Taking photos of a gun is not in that category. The gun is not in use.
I've been an NRA Certified instructor for more than 3 decades. I've taught hundreds of students. In all that time, I've had exactly one student have a fatal accident with a gun - and he had not followed that basic rule (I was not there at the time, but I saw the police report).
So - I'm not "afraid." I'm appropriately cautious. And I want other people to be safe.
JP

Added point, FWIW: I survived 24 months in 'Nam. There aren't too many things I'm afraid of.

STCM(SW) · #12 12-14-2012, 12:06 AM

You know, I have never seen a revolver fire when it had its pictured taken in over 40 years.......
There has to be a loose nut on the trigger for that to happen.

Also the rule ALL guns are loaded till you check it to not be so!

DCWilson · #13 12-14-2012, 12:49 AM

Gil has properly identified the gun for you.

As to "afraid:" What scares me is that I didn't notice the gun was loaded. Admittedly it's just a photo to me rather than the real thing, but carelessness in any observational context is just a step away from carelessness in a crucial context. So I just had my awareness level jacked up. Good for Jack for raising the point.

The thing is that I take a lot of gun pictures, and I never photograph them loaded. (I think there is a 649 picture that has some snap caps in it.) On this occasion I let my policy shape my perception of somebody else's photo. There are professions where that kind of sloppiness can get you fired.

Or worse.

gaucho1 · #14 12-14-2012, 03:27 AM

Number one....Thank You for your service.

Number two.........your reply is fair and measured.

Number three..........you have clearly explained the reasons for your
reaction.

Number four..............Please do number three first.

Thank You

John

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP@AK

Do I really need to answer this?
Of course I'm not "afraid" of a loaded revolver! But there are times to have them loaded and times to keep them empty. Accidents happen. And they usually happen in a house when someone is doing something with the gun that is unrelated to shooting it - like "checking it out" and taking photos of it. The basic rule is: guns should be unloaded except when in use! Now, a bedside home protection piece is in use. So, keep it loaded. A carry gun in its holster under your arm is in use. So keep it loaded.
Taking photos of a gun is not in that category. The gun is not in use.
I've been an NRA Certified instructor for more than 3 decades. I've taught hundreds of students. In all that time, I've had exactly one student have a fatal accident with a gun - and he had not followed that basic rule (I was not there at the time, but I saw the police report).
So - I'm not "afraid." I'm appropriately cautious. And I want other people to be safe.
JP

Added point, FWIW: I survived 24 months in 'Nam. There aren't too many things I'm afraid of.

MarkDozier · #15 12-14-2012, 05:31 AM

I have to do it.
Your friend bought a REVOLVER (ta- da)

on a more serious note
"Accidents happen" like a lawyer I met says "Wrongo Dongo" 99.999999 % of the time the happening is due to NEGLIGENCE, which encompasses stupid people doing stupid things.
Ummm, writing this it looks like my brain had a negligent discharge.

JP@AK · #16 12-14-2012, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkDozier

"Accidents happen" like a lawyer I met says "Wrongo Dongo" 99.999999 % of the time the happening is due to NEGLIGENCE, which encompasses stupid people doing stupid things.

You are, of course, right. But sometimes it is not stupid people. Sometimes it is just someone being momentarily careless. Around guns we cannot afford to be careless.
Regards,
JP

JP@AK · #17 12-14-2012, 11:39 AM

Goucho1 and David
Thank you for your responses.
Jack

Bigen623 · #18 12-14-2012, 02:44 PM

So would you say i should not use this gun or does it really matter? From what I can tell I dont think its worth much.?

Muley Gil · #19 12-14-2012, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigen623

So would you say i should not use this gun or does it really matter? From what I can tell I dont think its worth much.?

If it works for your hog hunting, keep using it. S&W literally made tons of M&P revolvers.

Personally, I would prefer a .44 Special or a .45 Colt for the porkers.

Bigen623 · #20 12-15-2012, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muley Gil

If it works for your hog hunting, keep using it. S&W literally made tons of M&P revolvers.

Personally, I would prefer a .44 Special or a .45 Colt for the porkers.

Well the gun is just a back up. I use a knife but if things get out of hand the gun is used. Thanks for all the info.

Green Frog · #21 12-15-2012, 10:52 PM

You go hog hunting with a knife?? Either that's one heck of a knife or you're one hell of a man!!

But to put a serious answer out to your original (and quite legitimate) question, the revolver in question, loaded with standard factory equivalent rounds (not +P or any of the really hot stuff) should do fine. If I were going to use it in that manner, I would try to find some semi-wadcutters with a big flat front surface and cast fairly hard in case old Porky's skull got in the way. How about a picture or two of one/some of your successful hunts?

Froggie (NOT "Hoggie!")

JP@AK · #22 12-16-2012, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Frog

You go hog hunting with a knife?? Either that's one heck of a knife or you're one hell of a man!!

Yes. When I read this, I was reminded of when John Rambo is arrested near the beginning of the original First Blood movie. He says he uses his GI knife for hunting. So our friend on here goes hog hunting with a knife! Wow.

The funny thing about the Rambo sequence is later when he does kill a wild hog with his knife strapped to a pole (spear-like). You wonder what in the heck a wild hog is doing in the Pacific Northwest. Hollywood screenwriters. What a bunch of illiterates!

JP

Wiregrassguy · #23 12-16-2012, 04:58 PM

I know some hawg hunters in NW Florida, SE Alabama who hunt with knives.

To answer your question, specifically, Bigen623, yes, carry and shoot it. It is not worth a lot...$300 or so. I would get some lead, round nose, hollow points in +P for those hawgs, though.

Bigen623 · #24 12-16-2012, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Frog

You go hog hunting with a knife?? Either that's one heck of a knife or you're one hell of a man!!

But to put a serious answer out to your original (and quite legitimate) question, the revolver in question, loaded with standard factory equivalent rounds (not +P or any of the really hot stuff) should do fine. If I were going to use it in that manner, I would try to find some semi-wadcutters with a big flat front surface and cast fairly hard in case old Porky's skull got in the way. How about a picture or two of one/some of your successful hunts?

Froggie (NOT "Hoggie!")

Well im not a hell of a man by no means. I use a USMC k-bar and we have dogs also. Thanks for the information!

pbslinger · #25 12-16-2012, 11:26 PM

Elmer Keith used to keep his guns loaded. One of the benefits was when he showed the guns it cut down on "all that senseless snapping" loose quotes, I assume he referred to that annoying playing with, slamming cylinders closed and dry firing.