Odd caliber 1902 1st

chiefdave · #1 05-09-2018, 10:20 PM

This was listed as a 1905 but I believe it's a 1902 1st change. The odd thing about it is that the S/N's on the butt, cylinder, star and the hard rubber grips is 58811 but the barrel flat number is the same as the assembly number on the yoke, 20252, and is chamber in 38 S&W rather that the normal 38 Spl. Could this be a factory rework or possibly a special order? Should be here next week.

DWalt · #2 05-09-2018, 11:13 PM

More likely a frankengun.

model3sw · #3 05-09-2018, 11:24 PM

When it arrives, check for a factory re-work date on the flat grip frame (under the grips).

I once owned a factory refurbished 1899 Army that had been sent back the factory. A new barrel was installed. Instead of the correct serial number, the workman that stamped the barrel with the number "1899" (for the US Army 1899 model from the butt) and not the correct serial number of the gun, itself. To me, it was such an abomination, I sent it to a major auction house to be sold. Now, with 20/20 hindsight, I should have kept it.

Not saying this is what may have happened to yours, just verifying that the S&W factory was very capable of making errors like that. I do not think, back in the late 1800s, a factory worked needed to be literate to be employed albeit the more technical workers and foremen likely were more educated.

In the 1970s I had employed an auto body man / painter (a combo man) who was very skilled at his craft. He was approximately 50 years old at that time. I did not discover until a few years later that he was illiterate. He could not read the instructions on label of a new type of catalyzed primer we were testing out and asked me to read the directions to him.

handejector · #4 05-10-2018, 12:05 AM

Looks like a later hammer with a hollow rivet.

rct269 · #5 05-10-2018, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by handejector

Looks like a later hammer with a hollow rivet.

Okay, a hollow rivet with a little hole or a big one? I ask because I have a Model of 1902 1st Change carrying a hammer with a hollow rivet with a big hole---and a 1905 1st Change, also with a hollow rivet, but much smaller hole----and a bunch of later 1905's, all with hollow rivets with medium size holes---in between the two extremes. I'll take a stab at measuring the hole diameters if it'll help.

And what's the significance of the hole diameters?

Ralph Tremaine

Absalom · #6 05-10-2018, 01:15 AM

It is a 5” barrel, so with a .38 S&W CTG stamp on it, it really can only be a replacement BSR/Victory barrel that was added to this frame and refinished. And someone who didn’t know better stamped it with the assembly number instead of the serial.

Pretty unlikely that the factory would perpetrate such a thing

Modified · #7 05-10-2018, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWalt

More likely a frankengun.

I'm going to agree with this.

The refinish is certainly not up to factory standards. If the factory did re-chamber it someone re-finished it after that point.

Could be a lot of fun though. K-Frames in .38S&W as very pleasant to shoot.

walnutred · #8 05-10-2018, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Absalom

It is a 5” barrel, so with a .38 S&W CTG stamp on it, it really can only be a replacement BSR/Victory barrel that was added to this frame and refinished. And someone who didn’t know better stamped it with the assembly number instead of the serial.

Pretty unlikely that the factory would perpetrate such a thing

If that is the case I'd bet the cylinder is still 38 Special. I've done the same swap when you could get NOS Victory barrels for $10.

cgt4570 · #9 05-10-2018, 08:43 AM

If it's a Victory or pre-Victory barrel, it has been modified to accept the mushroom head ejector rod knob.

glowe · #10 05-10-2018, 09:02 AM

Blowing up the picture shows no MADE IN USA, no trigger guard cylinder stop screw, and 38 S&W CTG on the barrel. Yes it is a 1902 frame. Yes it is a WWII Victory barrel.

I think the refinish is better than most, but it only takes a small file and some elbow-grease to fit a mushroom ejector rod knob, so redone for sure. Try to chamber a 38 S&W cartridge in the cylinder. If it fits, the cylinder is reworked, but if not, you will have to shoot 38 Special with a .357" bullet in a barrel measuring .361". Some of these conversions shoot fine, but lots do not.

chiefdave · #11 05-12-2018, 04:51 PM

The revolver arrived this morning and everyone was pretty much correct on the assessment. I do disagree as to it being a Frankengun or the finish being substandard. Just a nice rework on a 100+ year old handgun. One nice touch is that whoever swapped out the barrel put the correct taper on the front sight blade. At 15 yards accuracy was fine with 38 Special hbwc's at modest velocity.

Muley Gil · #12 05-12-2018, 08:52 PM

I like 5" round butt K frames.

Hondo44 · #13 05-12-2018, 10:43 PM

Clearly not a frankengun.

If you reload I would suggest using the largest bullet in your 38 Spl cases that will fit in the chambers.

Your 38 S&W barrel has a larger barrel bore (diameter between the lands) to match the .361" bullet diam of the 38 S&W Cart.

chiefdave · #14 05-13-2018, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

Clearly not a frankengun.

If you reload I would suggest using the largest bullet in your 38 Spl cases that will fit in the chambers.

Your 38 S&W barrel has a larger barrel bore (diameter between the lands) to match the .361" bullet diam of the 38 S&W Cart.

I used 148 gr. HBWC's (.358") over 3 gr. of unique and the bullets seem to be engaging the rifling OK. Groups 4-5" @ 15 yards. Glad it's not too original, I enjoy shooting century revolvers.