I just inherited this from my grandfather but have no background knowledge from him on when it was made or what model it is. Can you help me track down year it was made? Also maybe a general area of value? Thanks

It is a .38 special hand ejector with 4" barrel and fixed sights. It also has 5 screws with a number on the butt of the gun that reads 213530. There is no model number behind the yoke, but there is a strain screw. Pics attached

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Looks like it might be a .38 M&P Model of 1905 3rd change. Serial number is right and they made them in round butt.

Made from 1909 - 1915 with a s/n range from 146900 to 241703.

I have a six inch barreled one which shipped in 1914. It has a square butt.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

and welcome to the forum.

I'm guessing on your gun but someone will be along who can really nail it.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

With that serial number, it was made some while before the Great War, and 1913-14 is probably a pretty good guess.

There is an ongoing debate about what it should be called. S&W advertising at the time would have referred to it as a Model of 1902 because of the round butt. Collector books (and many collectors themselves) would call it a Model of 1905 because of the fifth screw. It is a debate that probably will never go away. After about 1915, the point was moot because S&W quit using that language and just called them the .38 Military & Police, specifying round or square butt.

In any case, this one is not in top shape, but since it is a family heirloom, it is priceless to you and your family. Have fun shooting it, and stick to standard velocity ammo with lead bullets. This revolver was made before S&W started heat treating the cylinders.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I read somewhere that S&W used Circassian walnut for grips/stocks then.

Does anyone know for sure? The stocks seen here of that era do seem to usually be dark, well-figured walnut .

I like your old revolver then again I'm into the old shooter grade guns. Thanks for posting if you decide to run a few rounds through it let us know how it shoots.

Nothing like that old weathered used look!

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Thanks guys! This is my first revolver but i have a feeling it wont be my last. Now, is there anyway to refurbish it? I dont think my grandfather used lead bullets in this.

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! There are probably a number of gunsmiths near you that would refinish it for you for $200-300. S&W won't work on it due to its age. But, keep in mind that a refinish will not raise its value so it will be worth about what you put into it. I did this with my grandfather's gun and don't regret it.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

SN 213530 suggests it shipped in 1914. With the round butt, it would be called the Model of 1902 (the Model of 1905 has a square butt). My recommendation is that you do nothing more than just clean it up and leave it as-is. If you want a prettier revolver, you would be better off buying one. It should be safe to fire using standard velocity lead bullet ammunition.

What I can tell you is that I have stocks from this period that definitely are made of Circassian walnut, not black walnut. Whether this was universal, I doubt. I have a Model of 1905 Target (square butt) that shipped in April, 1908, and the correctly numbered stocks on it appear to be black walnut, not Circassian walnut.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Ok so is it best to just leave as is and never fire? I would really to see how it handles but slightly worried because of its condition whether any mishaps may happen. I do not live in an area with any good gunsmiths so i was looking to ship to have cleaned and refurbished to working condition (if its not already)

No. It is best to leave as is and fire as much as possible. Just use standard velocity ammo and lead bullets. I use these in my 1914 M&P



and it does this....

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

As I said earlier:
SN 213530 suggests it shipped in 1914. With the round butt, it would be called the Model of 1902 (the Model of 1905 has a square butt). My recommendation is that you do nothing more than just clean it up and leave it as-is. If you want a prettier revolver, you would be better off buying one. It should be safe to fire using standard velocity lead bullet ammunition.

Cool thanks for all the info guys. I appreciate it....one last thing. Any idea om value? I doubt ill get rid of it, but always plan for the unexpected i say.