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01-20-2017, 09:11 PM
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S&W 38 Special 1905
Last edited by DDennis640; 01-20-2017 at 09:19 PM.
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01-20-2017, 09:47 PM
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SWCA Member Absent Comrade
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Welcome to the forum.
It would have been sold as a Model 1902 at the time due to the round butt. There is a bit of a debate among collectors, but catalogs of the time generally offered the square butt version as the Model 1905.
Yours was originally blued and later plated in nickel, as seen by the B next to the serial under the barrel and by the plated hammer and trigger, which were left case-colored by the factory. The stocks also appear to have been lacquered.
The serial does put the gun around 1905/06, I believe.
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01-20-2017, 10:15 PM
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So what would the reasoning for nickel plating be? Looks? Thanks for the help.
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01-21-2017, 12:31 AM
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Probably the original blue finish was heavily worn or damaged in some way. The owner wanted it "dolled up" so he had it nickel plated. Who knows why anyone does anything? But that would be my guess.
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01-21-2017, 10:26 AM
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Interesting how the end grain of the grip butt(s) sucked up the lacquer and turned almost black. Nice old character piece.
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01-21-2017, 11:31 AM
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At one time your model of 1902 probably looked a lot like this ...
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01-23-2017, 01:23 AM
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Are the grips serial numbered (back side of right panel)? Many of the 1902s were shipped with black hard rubber grips. SN 86765 indicates probable shipment in 1906-07. BTW, the "U. S. SERVICE CTG" refers to the .38 Long Colt, and it was the official military revolver cartridge at the time. It was slightly shorter (and weaker) than the later .38 S&W Special.
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01-23-2017, 09:17 AM
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This is what an original Model 1902 in nickel would have looked like. This is a little earlier 59XXX and shipped in 1905.This is a 4"rather than a 5".
Bill
Last edited by bracebeemer; 01-23-2017 at 09:21 AM.
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01-24-2017, 09:02 PM
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Can I shoot this gun? No cracks or anything. Would 38 special bullets work?
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01-24-2017, 10:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DDennis640
Can I shoot this gun? No cracks or anything. Would 38 special bullets work?
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Yes and yes. If there are no mechanical flaws (structural or functional), go ahead and shoot it.
We highly recommend using only light target loads in guns this old. 148 grain wadcutters (target loads) would be best.
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01-25-2017, 02:54 PM
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Thanks for all your help. One last question though. How much would you guys say this gun is worth?
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01-25-2017, 04:09 PM
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Probably less than $300. For me, it would have to be a fair amount less. There are too many decent shooter examples out there that have the original finish. One like this would have to be pretty cheap for me to show any interest. But others may have differing opinions.
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01-25-2017, 04:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DDennis640
Thanks for all your help. One last question though. How much would you guys say this gun is worth?
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Probably the most commonly asked question on this forum, and one must consider "to whom?" At many gun shows, a seller might ask $400, and take $300. A pawn shop or gun shop might offer $100-$150. To a private buyer who wants a shooter, maybe $300. To a collector, zero, or at most no more than parts value. What is it worth to you?
Last edited by DWalt; 01-25-2017 at 04:58 PM.
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01-25-2017, 05:38 PM
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I think it was worth the 270 I paid to have something over a hundred years old that can still be used today. Thanks for all your help.
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01-28-2017, 12:21 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt
Are the grips serial numbered (back side of right panel)? Many of the 1902s were shipped with black hard rubber grips. SN 86765 indicates probable shipment in 1906-07. BTW, the "U. S. SERVICE CTG" refers to the .38 Long Colt, and it was the official military revolver cartridge at the time. It was slightly shorter (and weaker) than the later .38 S&W Special.
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I ended up finding some time today to take the grips off, (work full time/ full time student) and the grips are numbered 21495 but it looks like it was written with a pen or pencil. Is this how it would've been printed from the factory? Clearly not the original grips so would they be older than the gun?
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01-28-2017, 12:38 AM
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Probably original grips.
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01-28-2017, 03:38 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old 44 Guy
Probably original grips.
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The numbers don't match. 86763 clearly marked on the flat on the bottom of the barrel, the rear face of the cylinder, and the bottom of the grip frame (OP's pics, No.2, 3, & 5). Number on the stocks is 21495, so...not likely to be originals.
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01-28-2017, 11:00 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DDennis640
I ended up finding some time today to take the grips off, (work full time/ full time student) and the grips are numbered 21495 but it looks like it was written with a pen or pencil. Is this how it would've been printed from the factory? Clearly not the original grips so would they be older than the gun?
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Yes, they would be older. Most likely, your revolver shipped with hard rubber grips.
Those wood grips could have come off of a .32-20, which was in its own SN range.
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