I have a S&W 38 revolver and I would like to know the approximate year of manufacture and also the model number.

Hand Ejector with NO model number.
Serial #8139XX
Caliber: 38 S&W Special Ctg.
Barrel Length: 4"
Sights: Fixed

This gun also has 5 screws (the grips cover one). There is a 6th screw that is used to adjust the spring. Also, there appears to be a pin holding the barrel to the body. This gun shoots great.

I would appreciate help from anyone. Thanks.

Welcome to the forum. You have a Model of 1905 fourth change (.38 military & Police fourth change) from 1940-41. There were no model numbers until 1957, so this gun is identified by name.

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David Wilson

Thank you, David. I assume "fourth change" means like the fourth revision of the model? And the first edition was made in 1905?

Yes, that's right. The fourth change was introduced in 1915. From then until most of the way through WWII there were no major design or engineering changes (though there were a couple of cosmetic changes).

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David Wilson

Yours would have shipped in late 1941, like September or October. Generally, you can just call it the Military and Police (M&P) Model as by that time the factory had stopped referencing it the Model of 1905 4th Change, even though the revolver was the same. But the Model of 1905 designation persists among collectors. The next significant change to the M&P was the adoption of an improved hammer safety in early 1945, but that was not called the fifth change, or anything like that. It did get an S prefix to the serial number, the "S" prefix denoting the new safety feature.

Yours can also be called a "pre-Victory" as the Victory model, having a V serial number prefix, started at V1 early in 1942.

Thank you. It is my understanding the M&P later evolved to the Model 10?

The Model 10 designation came about in 1957, quite a bit later than yours. S&W started assigning model numbers to all models around that time, and it is one way of dating revolvers - whether it's model stamped or not. There are some significant mechanical differences between Model 10s and pre-Victories, so they are similar, but not exactly the same, nor will all parts interchange. Since the mid-teens (i.e., about 1914), all revolvers of this type have been called M&Ps, even Model 10s. Prior to that they were called "Military" only, as that was the primary target market (which didn't quite work out). I suppose that S&W's marketing department finally recognized the promotional value of associating the revolver with police use by then.

Actually, I should have it in a few days if the storm allows FEDEX to deliver it t my FFL. I'm new to this forum and would greatly appreciate any help you can give me. It's supposedly a 1905 1st change 5" barrel and the S/N is 96XXX. Not sure what the XXX means. I'm trying to figure out when it was made. Thanks, Terry

Welcome! This one most likely shipped in 1907. Many sellers omit digits of the SN and replace them with Xs, so no one can specifically ID the gun; this is likely a little overcautious.

Also, best to post new ID requests in a new post. Hope this is helpful.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thanks, Alan. I appreciate your response.

Terry