Help Identifying S&W Revolver

MCW236 · #1 08-04-2022, 01:33 PM

Good Afternoon,

I’m a new member here looking to get some info on this revolver we’ve located from my Grandfather. He is not 100% sure if it’s history but believes to have gotten from his step father who in turn got it from his. Not sure how accurate that is. If anyone is able to provide me with some info regarding it I’d greatly appreciate it. I apologize for the photos these are all I have while it’s being shipped.

murphydog · #2 08-04-2022, 01:59 PM

Welcome! This appears to be a .38 Military & Police revolver from the late 1910 decade.

DGNY · #3 08-04-2022, 02:04 PM

First, a warm welcome to you, to one of the very best such forums on the Internet today. Many very helpful folks here and a great place to learn and to share.

Others with far greater knowledge will be along soon*, but looks like a Model of 1905 military and police, 4th change, possibly 1918-1919.

Hope you will stay around and enjoy the camaraderie! congratulations on having such a wonderful family heirloom. It does look as though the cylinder might possibly have had a bit of a re-blue at some point. You may want to check the serial number not only on the butt, but underneath the barrel, and on the cylinder especially.

* And, a few minutes ahead of my short post, a real expert did appear!

MCW236 · #4 08-04-2022, 02:18 PM

Thank you both that’s great info. I must’ve hit send too soon. Here is another photo.

DWalt · #5 08-04-2022, 05:41 PM

The closest SN I have listed is 291043 which shipped from the factory in 6/1919. It is a .38 Military and Police (M&P) model with a square butt. Some might call it a Model of 1905, but it's not, at least that's not what S&W called it at that date. The grips appear to be correct. If you want to shoot it, any .38 Special ammunition will be OK, but I would recommend ammunition with lead bullets. If you can find any. .38 Special ammo is somewhat scarce today.