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[longslide10]

Good evening. My Father-in-law passed away before Christmas and I just inherited an old S&W revolver. It appears to be a 4 screw, pinned barrel model in .38 Spl. The barrel is marked "38 S&W Special CTG". Frame, barrel, and cylinder agree the serial number is 5258xx. It appears to have been nickel plated but has probably spent many years in an old leather holster.

If you good folks could enlighten me about this old S&W, I would most grateful.

 

[DCWilson]

Welcome to the forum. That's a .38 Military & Police (also called by collectors the Model of 1905/fourth change) from about 1926-27.

Nickel revolvers were sometimes supplied with Mother of Pearl stocks, so those might be the original grips on the gun.

CTG is just the standard abbreviation for cartridge.

You can get some fine polish like Flitz and go over the gun carefully to take off some of the darkness and polish up what's left of the finish. Then keep it lightly oiled.

It's OK to carry a gun in a holster, but a bad idea to store one there. Tanning acids and absorbed water can play hob with the finish of a gun over time.

The M&P revolver was the most successful single model in S&W's production history. In all variants, from its 1899 introduction up to yesterday, six or seven million have been produced.

 

[longslide10]

David,
Thank you very much for the welcome and for the great information.

 

[Göring's S&W]

Nickel revolvers were sometimes supplied with Mother of Pearl stocks, so those might be the original grips on the gun.

I thought by that time pearl and other special order grips from the factory had medallions. I know at one time, when the S&W antiques were made, none had medallions but I thought by about the turn of the century or a little later, the special order grips from the factory had medallions.

 

[DCWilson]

In the 1920s S&W put medallionless wooden stocks on their revolvers. I assumed, perhaps incorrectly, that their special-material stocks would also have lacked them during those years.

 

[JP@AK]

I assumed, perhaps incorrectly, that their special-material stocks would also have lacked them during those years.

David. I have no special knowledge that makes me certain, but I tend to think the same thing. The change that happened in the 1890s was in response to a particular situation. Things were very different 30 years later - and cost was a factor.
Jack

 

[JP@AK]

It appears to be a 4 screw, pinned barrel model in .38 Spl.

First, my condolences on your (and your wife's) loss. This is still a tender spot for me, since my dad (and close friend) passed away a year ago next week. I miss him every, single day.

Next, David has (as usual) given you very good information about your newly acquired revolver. I will just add one thing in response to your statement, quoted above. Your revolver actually has a 5 screw frame, not 4. The screw in the front of the trigger guard is counted. It was added by the engineering changes of 1905; part of what makes collectors call this a Model of 1905.

And - welcome to the S&W Forum!

Jack

 

[longslide10]

.... Your revolver actually has a 5 screw frame, not 4. The screw in the front of the trigger guard is counted. It was added by the engineering changes of 1905; part of what makes collectors call this a Model of 1905.

And - welcome to the S&W Forum!

Jack

Thank you for the welcome, the info, and the condolences. My FIL had battled cancer for almost ten years. Knowing that he isn't suffering now helps a little.

I was looking through some other threads, trying to learn more about this item, and wondered if that screw was counted.

I'm not a collector of antiques but I am really impressed by how tight this old revolver is. It has obviously not seen heavy use. My FIL and I did a just a little gun trading over the years and I regret he never mentioned this revolver. I would love to know the story behind it.

I've got to get over to visit my mother-in-law soon. She told my wife on the phone tonight she had found another pistol with "Volcanic" on it.

 

[wheelgun28]

I've got to get over to visit my mother-in-law soon. She told my wife on the phone tonight she had found another pistol with "Volcanic" on it.

I cannot wait to see it!!!!

Please share what you find

 

[DCWilson]

Volcanic? Volcanic??!!!

Gasp. I want to see the pictures too.

 

[longslide10]

Volcanic? Volcanic??!!!......

That was my reaction! I'm trying not to get too excited. (I've seen .22 cal. "starter" pistols.)

I will let y'all know what I find.

 

[Göring's S&W]

In the 1920s S&W put medallionless wooden stocks on their revolvers. I assumed, perhaps incorrectly, that their special-material stocks would also have lacked them during those years.

Thats a good point, and I didn't think of it that way. I was thinking of basically 2 different eras, when really they could have had not have had them, had them, not had them again, then had them again.

 

[Dan M]

I have never seen or heard of a Factory set of pearls that did not have the medallion installed. S&W put the medallions in to tell the owners that they were quality Pearl grips and not cheap aftermarket grips. I am not saying they didn't do it, but I have never seen any that lettered.

Dan

 

[hsguy]

This will probably just add to the confusion but here is an ad inside a 3rd Model Single Shot box from about 1910. Perhaps one of our members has a later catalog that may provide some clarity on the matter of Pearl stocks.

 

[longslide10]

Not that I would sell it but I'm curious as to what this revolver, in it's condition, with grips that may not be OEM, would be worth. This is by far the oldest piece in my collection.

 

[DCWilson]

My guess is that you could sell that for $250-325 depending on the region of the country in which you go to market. I am sure the sentimental value is far greater than that.

 

[DWalt]

If you see the Volcanic, post pictures and details in the antique section of the forum. Many there would appreciate it. Those are quite unusual, and there is a S&W connection.

 

[longslide10]

Thanks for the price info. I'm a little surprised that it's worth that much. If I had found it in a pawn shop or somewhere, I don't think I would have paid more than about $75. Of course, the S&W mark always means a lot. When someone asks my opinion about a deal they are looking at, and it's a S&W, I always tell them it's hard to go wrong with a Smith & Wesson.

I hope to see that "Volcanic" tomorrow but, as I said, I'm trying not get my hopes up about it. I'll let y'all know what I find.

 

[longslide10]

Well, it does say "Volcanic" on it........

Again, no idea why my FIL would have had such but here it is...

 

[mikepriwer]

Well - That is not exactly what some had in mind ! Whatever it is, its not the
Volcanic of the middle 1800's.

Mike Priwer