I received today this 6 inch Model of 1905. The serial number is S 932212. It is ALMOST perfect. Other than the muzzle wear, it looks almost new. It would not surprise me if it had not been fired.

It is in almost identical condition to my 5 inch serial number S 854587. The ejector rod knobs are different. This was supposedly a policemen's gun, but can't believe it was carried.

Interestingly enough, both of them came from Lake Park, FL - a year apart and through different auction houses. If one of you all could narrow down the shipping date a bit of the first one, I'd appreciate it.

"I received today this 6 inch Model of 1905. The serial number is S 932212"

Your SN would date its shipment at about September 1947. And its proper name is the Military and Police (M&P) Model. S&W quit using the Model of 1905 terminology prior to WWI, but some collectors consider all M&Ps made until 1945 as the "Model of 1905." I prefer calling these revolvers as either Post-war M&Ps or Post-Victory M&Ps, as it was the first civilian model with the improved hammer blocking safety, which began on the WWII Victory model in early 1945. 10 years after yours was shipped, with another significant engineering change to the action made in 1948, it became the Model 10. It's very good to find an S-series in that condition. There were comparatively few S-series M&Ps made, fewer than 200,000. They are very collectible in high condition, but not rare. The "barrel" extractor rod knob more or less ceased high in the S800xxx range, when it was changed to the knurled extractor rod tip (KERT). So your S854587 should have the barrel knob. Some call it a LERK (Large Extractor Rod Knob).

Thanks for the information DWalt. Indeed, the lower serial number has the LERK.

Nice one.

I show about 25 examples in that serial range. Most of them shipped in September, 1947, although one went out in August and another in December. So September of that year seems to be most likely.

The order to eliminate the extractor rod knob, replacing it with the knurled end, was issued on October 4, 1946. However, it seems that not until January or February of 1947, did shipping start on revolvers with barrels longer than 2" having the "small knob". The earliest example in my database has a 5" barrel and wears serial number S875065. Some "large knobs" show up on guns with higher serial numbers, so there was a transition period on this feature.

__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

jmace57
Re: S932212

Two questions - are the stocks serialized to this revolver?
And, which of the following pictures matches the edges of your thumb piece?

Beveled?


Or flat?


Thanks!

__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Jack -

Yes - stocks are numbered to this revolver.

Flat thumb piece

Thanks! Data entered. I appreciate the assistance.

__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318