I'm looking at a S&W that I think is a 1905 2nd change. Serial# 113868, barrel 6.5", last patent date on top of barrel is Feb. 6,06. The #s match and the grips are not chipped but worn. Condition around 50%. Price $250. Any ideas on the manufacture date?

Early-mid 1908. The time frame for the 2nd change was only from 1906-09.

The 1905 2nd change was also the last variant that offered the 6 1/2" barrel.

I bought the old girl! It came with a cool old holster that appears to have been with it a long time. The #s on the grip frame, barrel flat, rear of cylinder and ejector all match. I noticed there are no dowels on the back of the cylinder. Lock up is tight .I can't see the # on the grip, but they fit perfectly. The bore is bright and the double action pull is superb! Tomorrow is shootin time!

Without a factory letter, it's not possible to be very precise about when it shipped. 1908 is very probably correct, but I show a few nearby serial numbers as shipping in both 1907 and 1909. If you intend to fire it, you should use only lead bullet standard velocity ammunition. The steel was a little weaker and softer then than it was later.

Early production 1905 2nd changes didn't have the extractor dowels yet.
Smiths weren't produced or shipped in serial number order. So although your number is about mid range, it was probably produced earlier than the number might indicate and may have shipped in 1907 as DWalt states above.

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819