I just picked this up and I believe it to be an M&P model 1905 but I'm not sure. Also can anyone help me narrow down an approximate year it was made?

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Did I miss the serial number? Nice looking gun. Post 1922.
OK, to quick on the keys. Sorry.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Yeah I can't figure out how to put pictures up correctly.
Serial number is S901407 and is the "S" anything special

It is an early post-war commercial Military & Police . . . s/n S901407 would be April-May-ish 1947.

A fine revolver . . . enjoy,

Russ

edit: Yes, the "S" s/n prefix (and it is part of the serial number) is significant because it confirms the inclusion of the new Safety hammer block design.

...and a nice one too. Good find.

Thanks Russ, also what is this safety hammer block ? I'm relatively new to revolvers

Looks very much like the one I got a few months back...S/N S819156...your revolver's big brother! Ex-police issued gun, from what I was told.

If the gun were dropped on the hammer, the safety hammer block prevents the hammer from reaching the firing pin. It is retracted by the rebound slide when the hammer is cocked (SA) or the trigger is pulled (DA). Was developed circa 1946 after a sailor was killed when his Victory Model was dropped.

Russ

Russ is on the money. This is a postwar .38 Military & Police revolver. Very nearby serial numbers were shipping in late May, 1947. I show two in my database very close to and bracketing yours - S901270 and S901467. They, like yours, have the 5" barrel.

You have a very nice example of the type, even down to the correct style stocks (probably original). Your revolver left the factory about 30 years after S&W stopped calling this the Model 1905.

Russ again has provided good info. To narrow the time down a bit:
S&W engineers went to work on the problem in the summer of 1944. The design was approved in September and the production changes were implemented in December. The first examples with the new sliding hammer block safety left the factory in January, 1945. Those Victory Models with the new safety device carried the SV prefix in their serial numbers. After the war, the V was dropped but the S remained until March, 1948.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Hi Ron
I have your revolver in my database (I'm sure you must have posted about it or given me the data). But I have some blanks and have two questions:
1. Does yours have a plugged hole on the butt where the swivel would attach? Your number indicates it is right on the cusp of when those disappeared.
2. Is it wearing its original numbered stocks?

Thanks.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Just checked it out...as I remember, stocks do match to the gun, and there is no plugged hole. Interesting.

Thank you!

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

You're welcome...maybe I have a very rare revolver where the hole plugged itself through the power of RA...or something. Would be interesting if Mr. Jinks could provide the first actual pre-model 10 S/N from the archives, whether shipped or manufactured. His 1977 book provides so much info I am on overload right now. I bet things were hopping when civilians could finally get their hands on S&Ws after the war!

It was in the S-series, SN around S990xxx (in the upper end of that range). One cannot be too precise about the SN, as there some lower serial numbers having the short action, and others having higher SNs which retain the older long action.

According to factory records, the first serial number to have the "High Speed" hammer is S990184, in March, 1948 (assembly). However, the lowest number I've actually been able to identify with the short action is S990806. It shipped in March, 1948.

As DWalt pointed out, there was a "transition time" during which various serial numbers had the long and short action. The highest serial number I've found so far with the older long action is S996765. That one shipped in June, 1948. It should be noted that there were several special order M&P revolvers chambered for the .32 S&W Long cartridge in the serial range higher than S990001. So far as I can determine, all of those had the long action.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Does the shape of the hammer determine long or short action? I just picked up the same arm, serial # S 976XXX. Research indicates it has the long action. Just looking to understand the physical differences. Thanks

Yes, you can tell by the shape of the hammer if it is long or short action. Compare yours with his picture, if it's the same shape you have a long action.

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Get off my lawn!

S 976xxx would be expected to have the long action, as the short action was not incorporated until S 990xxx. And the hammer shape is an instantly apparent distinguishing characteristic.

I just posted these on another thread, but here are two photos showing the difference between the long and short action hammers. The short action hammer was referred to by S&W as the "High Speed hammer."

Long action hammer:


High Speed hammer:


K-22 gold box with the "High Speed" hammer statement (the same language is on M&P boxes of this era):

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

WV, nice catch. i bought one out of a local pawn shop identical to yours with a later SN of 958***.. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I have mine.
Mine has proven to be a very good shooter and I shoot it as well as any of the other more expensive Smiths I own.
Congratulations.

Handsome specimen. I think you'll enjoy shooting it for a long, long time to come.

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Oh well, what the hell.