Need help with serial # .38 special

[Colby]

Just acquired an old S&W .38 special. Serial #196277. This a 4" double action round butt. 3123 stamped inside cylinder. Will try to get pics up later. Thanks in advance for any information.

[mikepriwer]

This gun is from 1912. With a round butt, its a model of 1902. It corresponds to the
square-butt 1905 3rd change, which doesn't mean all that much. Does the barrel
have the same serial number on the flat area on its underside, and does the cylinder
have the same serial number on its rear face ?

Being a 4", I assume that it still has the patent date roll markings on the right side
of the barrel ?

Mike Priwer

[DCWilson]

Are there patent dates stamped on the barrel? If so, you probably have a .38 Military & Police from about 1912. If you don't see patent dates on the barrel something else is going on and I will wait for pictures.

Welcome to the forum.

[Colby]

Has patent dates on top of barrel. Dates start at May 27 94. Last date Sept 14 09. Serial # on back of cylinder. No flat part on barrel.

[Colby]

Can't figure out how yo load pics from my phone. I will post when I get in front of computer. Found serial # under barrel. Has a B in front of serial #. Bout 1/2 before #.

[mikepriwer]

If the gun is the older double-action, then its not an M&P. Is this gun a top-break, or
does the cylinder swing out to the side ?

Mike Priwer

[Colby]

Swings out the side.

[mikepriwer]

If this gun has a 4" barrel (measured from the front face of the cylinder to the
forward end (muzzle) of the barrel, it should have the patent date roll markings
on the side of the barrel - assuming its a .38 special or 32-20 Winchester. Also,
the barrel should have a flat area on the underside, which was necessary to get
sufficient clearance between the barrel and the extractor rod.

Also - the patent date of 1909 is curious. The .38 series does not have any patent
dates of 1909 on the barrel. 1908, but not 1909. In retrospect, 1909 may be the
right date. On some of my guns, what looks like 1908 could be 1909.

So - the information so far is confusing.

Mike Priwer

[Colby]

Home from work. I will get some pics up in a few

[Colby]

Ok. Sorry for the confusion. Barrel is 6" not 4. Now that I'm at a computer I will try to give all info I can. Patent dates are on top of barrel. Dates include Mar 27, 94 May 21, 95 Aug 4, 96 Dec 22, 96 Oct 8, 01 Dec 17, 01 Feb 0, 06 Sept 14, 09. Side of barrel has .38 S. & W. Special CTG. Serial # 196277 located on butt, back of cylinder, and bottom of barrel under extractor rod. Has # 3123 behind cylinder hinge.

[mikepriwer]

The gun still dates to 1912, but with the 6" barrel, it all makes sense.

By the catalogs of the period, this is Model of 1902, because it has the round butt.
If the butt were square, then it would be a Model of 1905; otherwise the guns are
identical.

This gun has the correct gold-medallion grips - they are probably numbered to the
frame serial number on the inside of the right grip panel. The gun is well worn, but
appears to be all original.

Mike Priwer

[Colby]

Thanks for the reply. The blue is worn on this gun. Owner had it in leather holster in closet for 30 years or more. Mechanically this gun is tighter than any other revolver I have. Cylinder has very little to no slop, hammer and trigger feel like butter.
Do you know if this is an M&P revolver?
Also, what kind of value range could be put on this gun? Not wanting to sell, just clean up and put in safe with the rest.
I love finding out the history of old guns I pick up and then I get attached to them and can get rid of anything.

My wife calls me a hoarder. I say if it is worthy of a gun safe and can be used to protect my family against criminals and the government it is worth keeping around.

Thanks again Mike.

[mikepriwer]

Colby

The catalog name for this gun is .38 Military Model 1902 . It is a Military & Police, or
M&P for short.

Without knowing anything about the provenance of the gun ( no factory letter )
it's value is in the range of $250 to $300 . This is due primarily to the condition
of the blue, being worn, and the checkering of the grips, also being worn. That is what
happens to guns that get used.

Regards, Mike Priwer

[Wiregrassguy]

Nice old hand ejector! Did you get the holster with it? You might want to post a picture of that if you did. It could be valuable...you never know.

[Colby]

Pics of holster that came with gun. Know nothing about it.
How much does it cost to get letter from S&W?

[mikepriwer]

$50 for a factory letter.

Mike Priwer