Identification help

LouisianaPCT · #1 12-28-2015, 08:33 PM

I need help identifying my great grandfather's S&W. He carried it as a police officer in the 20's and 30's. It is a 38 special with fixed sights, 5" barrel, 4 screws on the side plate, no screw on the front of the trigger guard, hand ejector, serial # 30795. Pictures attached.

Any info on model, date of production, value, etc will be greatly appreciated.

gunnails · #2 12-28-2015, 08:40 PM

Looks like an old Military and Police S&W revolver from early in the last century.

Heavy wear so the value would be low ($350?), assuming it function checks out, should be lots of fun to shoot.

Great heirloom you have there with great patina.

murphydog · #3 12-28-2015, 09:08 PM

Welcome! The serial number dates it to 1903, and it is called a .38 M & P model 1902 for the year it was introduced. If it is mechanically sound, standard pressure lead .38 Special loads should be fine to use. Enjoy!

jrd1976 · #4 12-28-2015, 11:16 PM

Welcome to the forum.

Congratulations on getting your great, grandfathers firearm and a police revolver to boot.

Get a revolver-smith to remove the side plate and make sure it is not full of old crud.
Shoot 38 Spl target wadcutters or 158 gr lead RN and enjoy.
I'd stay away from anything jacketed or +P in a gun that old.
No sense in stressing it.

DWalt · #5 12-29-2015, 01:32 AM

Unfortunately, in the condition shown in your pictures, it would probably not bring much more than $300 in a private sale. But why would you ever wish to sell it anyway?

Muley Gil · #6 12-29-2015, 06:50 AM

Welcome to the Forum.

It appears that there are traces of nickel on your revolver. Check the serial number stamped on the bottom of the barrel. If it has a "B" stamped there, it was shipped with a blued finish. If there is no stamp present, it was shipped with a nickel finish.

LouisianaPCT · #7 12-29-2015, 11:30 AM

Thanks guys. I don't ever intend on selling this, just needed a general value for estate reasons. I intend on shooting this once it has been given a thorough once over.

Also, does anyone know were I could get a replacement hammer for this model? The spur appears to have broken off and then crudely welded back on sometime in the past. I am thinking about replacing it if I am going to be shooting this pistol.

Just FYI....My Great-grandfather was the police chief of a small South Louisiana town in the 20's and 30's, and the only time he ever had to fire this pistol was to put down an aggressive dog.

murphydog · #8 12-29-2015, 11:42 AM

The usual sources for parts for older guns are Numrich (gunpartscorp.com), Jack First and Poppert's. One of them should have one, but it will likely require a gunsmith to fit it.

DWalt · #9 12-29-2015, 01:51 PM

"The usual sources for parts for older guns are Numrich (gunpartscorp.com), Jack First and Poppert's. One of them should have one, but it will likely require a gunsmith to fit it. "

I'd check to see if there are differences in the later old long-action hammers that might prevent their use in a K-frame from this early period. I think all of the old long action (pre-1948) hammers were the same, but I wouldn't bet on it. Does anyone know?

Skeetr57 · #10 12-29-2015, 08:00 PM

On that old an M&P, there are a number of internal differences between it and revolvers made after 1908 or so. Both the hammers and the triggers will be different and not interchangeable.