Hello folks. Been trying to get an ideal of about how old this gun is. It shows no model number when you open the cylinder. Has 5 screws. No letter before serial number. 4 inch barrel. Are the grips correct??? Serial number is 244785. What do you think??

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Welcome to the Forum. You have a 38 Military & Police, 4th Change, or Model 1905, shipped around 1915. The revolver looks like it may have had an old reblue, with some edges rounded, especially on the cylinder. The Magna stocks are much later.

Proper stocks would be walnut diamond service type with rounded top and large gold S&W medallions in the top.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Thanks Gary. I guess this would have been a civilian issued pistol? Also, would it help collectability to try to swap the grips for some from the right time period or should I just leave it alone. My daughter works at a local pawn shop and lets me know when something comes through that she thinks I would like. I like this pistol. It's a piece of history. But I don't want to pay more than its worth. It is in good sound condition. With what you can see here, what would you feel comfortable paying for it?

The refinish has taken care of collectability. I would leave it as is if I bought it. Any S&W that locks up and times good seems to go for around $350 in my neighborhood. I would guess yours to be worth about that. It looks like a good shooter if it in good shape inside.

The military & police designation is just what they called this model, similar to the s&w m&p automatics and AR's of today. This was very early in the 4th change series. I like the older guns myself. $300 or $350 would not be unusual now, but prices vary wildly. Your call on the grips.

"I guess this would have been a civilian issued pistol?"

Yes. The only significant numbers of the K-frames made for official military use occurred only later, during WWII, aside from a few thousand very early ones. I'd say this one would be in the $300-$350 range as a shooter, as it has no collectible value.

There was no steel heat treating performed by S&W on this revolver (that didn't start until after WWI), so stick with standard velocity lead bullet loads if you buy it with the intent of shooting it.

Thanks for all of the info. Very impressive. You folks know your stuff. I like history so I think this little guy will stay with me. I wonder what stories this gun could tell? I did not catch the rebluing, I guess because I don't know what it should look like. It must have been a pretty good job when it was done. If I decide to find the correct grips, do I look for "1905 4th change" grips? Thanks again.

If edges are rounded probably not reblued at S&W. You can revove the grips & check for a rework date & a star.

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

FYI- S&W did not blue or nickel plate the hammers and triggers, so when they are in this condition it's a pretty sure sign of a refinish.

The original stocks are horribly uncomfortable for shooting. And some of us think they are ugly. I would just leave those post 1968 Magnas in place.

This gun was made before metal tempering became routine on cylinders so I would limit it to light target loads.

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No life story has happy end.

I actually like the old style stocks so send all your ugly unloved ones my way! :-)

SP is right though, the magna's are generally much better for shooting. A lot of folks use the Pahmayr's or Hogue's for shooting and the originals for show.

Thanks for the FYI. That's a valuable thing to know. I'm out the door with this one, tax and background check for $320. I think I'll follow the advice on this forum and leave it like it is and you better believe I am going to put some light loads through it. I don't know if u guys have heard of Dixie Gun Works, they are experts in antique firearms and I only live about a mile away. I'll have them see if there is anything physically wrong with the gun before I fire it. They will never ever recommend shooting an antique for safety reasons but they will confirm if it has any functioning issues. I don't think it does but I don't know everything. I usually get advice from people who know. That's why I'm here. Thanks!!!

I've been dealing with Dixie Gun Works since 1968. Made a visit out there years ago. Fine folks.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Not much is going to help that poor thing.

Life's too short for overly polished reblued guns... Man, that's HIDEOUS....

Hope you didn't buy it...

"If I decide to find the correct grips, do I look for "1905 4th change" grips?"

As others have said, for shooting purposes, the Magnas that are on it are fine. Original pre-1920 grips in good condition can be rather expensive, and it's just not worth it to buy them unless you have a revolver in really nice condition. What you would look for are K-frame square butt grips, and eBay is a good place to browse if you decide to buy any. Hundreds of pairs can be found there. The Hogue and Pachmayr rubber grips are inexpensive and excellent for shooting purposes.

I used to pass through Union City a few times a year, and always stopped to visit at DGW. But I haven't been there for about 5 years. If your gun seems tight and the cylinder timing is OK, it should be safe to shoot.

Thanks. I am planning to shoot it. Since I rarely sell a gun it doesn't really matter whether it has much demand or is ugly. As most of you have said, it should be a good shooter and it is right at 100 years old. Any piece of American firearm history that can still perform after that amount of time is OK with me. When my youngest daughter (11 yrs) shoots it and I then call her attention to the age, the rebluing, the changed grips, she'll know that she is just the latest of, who knows how many, that have sighted down that same barrel. Each to his own but that's why I buy old guns. You S&W folks are great. You put the story together for me. Many thanks...