Smith 1905

ttremblay · #1 07-09-2018, 11:07 AM

Hi guys,

Added this to my collection this weekend and I don't know a whole lot about it. I believe it's a 1905, it's in 32 Winchester and it's a five screw. Sorry about the pic I will take more. It's beautiful and hasn't been shot a lot from what I can tell. Can anyone give me some info on it?

Tyler

KEN L · #2 07-09-2018, 11:09 AM

A serial number would be helpful.

ttremblay · #3 07-09-2018, 11:18 AM

Ken, the serial is 55671

Wiregrassguy · #4 07-09-2018, 11:23 AM

It's a .32 M&P Model 1905, 3rd Change from around 1913. Stocks are correct for the 1910-1920 period and they are beautiful. Nice grab!

ttremblay · #5 07-09-2018, 11:32 AM

Thanks Guy! It's beautiful it came in a lot of 10 guns I picked up. How much are these worth? Not that I'm selling it and I did good on the whole lot but I'm more curious.

P.W.Herman · #6 07-09-2018, 11:42 AM

That is a real nice one, my favorite caliber too!

Russell Cottle · #7 07-09-2018, 11:55 AM

Great find of a nice .32-20 a/k/a .32WCF!

DocB · #8 07-09-2018, 12:03 PM

That's a nice one. The 32-20's are about impossible to find in nice condition. Most everyone I have seen over many years has been beat to pieces and/or refinished in nickel. I would call it a $700 gun. The grips alone account for at least $200 of that amount.

hkcavalier · #9 07-09-2018, 12:47 PM

Very nice shape. If you're real nosy about it, you could check and see if it's a factory re-blue. Otherwise just enjoy it!

Wiregrassguy · #10 07-09-2018, 12:47 PM

I probably wouldn't value it as high as DocB unless I could inspect it. They usually sell around the price of a .38 M&P in similar condition around here.

Jtown · #11 07-09-2018, 01:33 PM

Nice gun, really nice stocks. The checkering on the early guns is much finer than most of the newer guns. I mean the number of lines per inch.

Walt

DWalt · #12 07-09-2018, 01:52 PM

The closest SN I have on my list to 55671 is 532xx which shipped in 6/13. The .32-20 M&Ps are serial numbered in a separate range from M&Ps in .38 Special. S&W quit making the M&P chambered in .32-20 in the late 1920s (after about 145K were made), but they continued selling what they had in inventory until 1940. Even though they are much less common than M&Ps from the same period chambered in .38 Special they typically don't bring much, if any, premium at sale. Most probably because, at least for shooters, ammunition is more difficult to find and is considerably more expensive than .38 Special. Yours seems in unusually fine condition. I'd say it would easily bring at least $500 (if not reblued), and maybe even a few hundred more to the right buyer.

P.W.Herman · #13 07-09-2018, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jtown

Nice gun, really nice stocks. The checkering on the early guns is much finer than most of the newer guns. I mean the number of lines per inch.

Walt

I find the checkering on the newer guns ugly as sin. In my opinion of course.

rct269 · #14 07-09-2018, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.W.Herman

I find the checkering on the newer guns ugly as sin. In my opinion of course.

Your opinion is widely held!!

Ralph Tremaine

KEN L · #15 07-09-2018, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ttremblay

Ken, the serial is 55671

Tyler

That is a beautiful example! Probable ship date is mid to late 1912, but that's just a guesstimate. The problem is, during that time frame, the ship dates are all over the place in my database. Only a letter would tell you for sure.

ttremblay · #16 07-10-2018, 10:34 AM

Thanks for the input guys! It's a sweet little piece and the mechanical feel of this one is amazing. Even if I do decide to sell, this one is going to the range a few times before it happens, but as we all know, once you shoot it you fall in love haha!

larryofcc · #17 07-10-2018, 11:22 AM

Being the owner of a Winchester M53 in 32-20, I would have to be very careful bringing a S&W 32-20 into my collection. The rifle loads are much hotter and most certainly would blow the S&W up.
I had this problem years ago with my Colt SAA 44-40. I loaded my ammo to max in my late M92 for deer hunting and painted the rims bright orange. Just one of these would have blown that SAA all to pieces. My hand with it. BTW, that is a real nice revolver. Keep it and enjoy it. Big Larry

DWalt · #18 07-10-2018, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryofcc

Being the owner of a Winchester M53 in 32-20, I would have to be very careful bringing a S&W 32-20 into my collection. The rifle loads are much hotter and most certainly would blow the S&W up.
Big Larry

The old higher-powered .32-20 loads once made specifically for rifles have been out of production for well over 50 years and are now in the realm of cartridge collectors. Any .32-20 factory loaded ammunition sold today is safe for use in any handgun.

And even if someone fired the old HV loads in a revolver they would most certainly NOT blow it up. Lots of people did that back in the day. The only hazard was the possibility of splitting the barrel at the forcing cone.

daddio202 · #19 07-10-2018, 11:46 AM

That is a very fine revolver and would be a keeper if it came to me in a lot. That ink black bluing is just a beautiful finish done in those days. I have been looking for a treasure just like that one myself lately. I just love those grips with the big medallions and the very fine checkering. I been putting a collection together with model number revolvers and for some reason the prewar models are now looking the best to me.(is this the next stage with the collecting virus??) Prewar collecting can get pretty expensive so my vote is for you to first shoot that gun, then as you say, the love will keep it with you. Enjoy

larryofcc · #20 07-10-2018, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWalt

The old higher-powered .32-20 loads once made specifically for rifles have been out of production for well over 50 years and are now in the realm of cartridge collectors. Any .32-20 factory loaded ammunition sold today is safe for use in any handgun.

And even if someone fired the old HV loads in a revolver they would most certainly NOT blow it up. Lots of people did that back in the day. The only hazard was the possibility of splitting the barrel at the forcing cone.

Why put a $4,000 Colt at risk?
I am not shooting factory HV, that stuff runs 100's of dollars. Reloads my friend. The M53 will, as a M92, take a bit of pressure. Not so in and old S&W or Colt. Big Larry