Model of 1905 (4th change)

BabaBlueJay · Friday at 10:00 PM

My LGS went to a strictly online model and I saw this Smith that has seen better days for 400$. It is being sold as a Pre-Model 10 model of 1905 it has the Made in USA roll Mark and the older style hammer of that period. I don't own any historical pieces and it's weird bc usually I prefer guns with pristine finishes but this one just speaks to me for some weird reason. Also seems to have text on top of the barrel which I've never seen. I was curious if anyone could ballpark a year or tell me more about this one.

handejector · Friday at 10:09 PM

Just about exactly 100 yrs old. Grips are wrong. Good for another hundred with reasonable care.

Wiregrassguy · Friday at 10:15 PM

It likely shipped in 1924 based on known nearby serials.

bigggbbruce · Friday at 10:23 PM

Looks original except for the stocks. Nice gun. Now you know why we like these guns.

BabaBlueJay · Friday at 10:26 PM

I figured the stocks were wrong based on some videos. It's a shame because the original stocks of that time are gorgeous. Even so, I may have to get this oldie but goodie. It's missing a lot of blueing on the barrel and is scratched to oblivion but I can't help but respect the fact it's still going strong 100 years on.

JP@AK · Friday at 10:31 PM

BabaBlueJay said:
seems to have text on top of the barrel which I've never seen.

View attachment 901783

Those are patent dates for the various patented changes made to that model over the years. The last one on your revolver will be December 28, 1914.

Patent dates remained on S&W barrels until after WWII (approximately 1948). All of the S prefix M&P units I've looked at (many thousands) except those with the 2" barrel have the patent dates. Some early C prefix units (starting in March 1948) also had patent dates on the barrel. They ended the practice soon after that.

bigggbbruce · Friday at 10:33 PM

These are the stocks that would have been on yours.

BabaBlueJay · Friday at 10:47 PM

bigggbbruce said:
These are the stocks that would have been on yours.View attachment 901793

Where would I be able to find the correct ones if I did decide to bring this one home?

bigggbbruce · Friday at 11:18 PM

BabaBlueJay said:
Where would I be able to find the correct ones if I did decide to bring this one home?

Well

these came with my 1915 m&p Target and they are wrong for my gun. I have a set coming correct for mine, which need some restoration. I may sell these if the correct ones clean up.

JP@AK · Saturday at 12:16 AM

BabaBlueJay said:
Where would I be able to find the correct ones if I did decide to bring this one home?

They show up on eBay. Also, you can post a "want to buy" here on this forum.

BabaBlueJay · Saturday at 1:02 AM

So overall for 400$ what's the verdict? I am thinking since I don't have any pre-war Smiths and it seems to be a shooter grade gun with character that I bag it up. Yes it's rough, but as a historian I feel like it's got a unique charm. This gun was not a safe queen and won't be for me, either if I decide to get it.

Legendarylawman · Saturday at 8:58 AM

I own around six of those 1905 4ths, and I would own that one for 400 bucks anyday. I have a couple in 38 Special and a couple in 38 S&W. The 38 S&W are great shooters, so don't count them out.

There is no problem shooting the heck out of that one!

Carl

bpd303 · Sunday at 6:56 PM

I have a 1905 M&P 4th change. I love it even though it's not pristine. It's quite accurate too. I even know a little oral history about it from the person I bought it from.

Model of 1905 (4th change)

BabaBlueJay

handejector

Wiregrassguy

bigggbbruce

BabaBlueJay

JP@AK

US Veteran

bigggbbruce

BabaBlueJay

bigggbbruce

JP@AK

US Veteran

BabaBlueJay

Legendarylawman

bpd303

US Veteran

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