The gentleman who wants $500 for this .38 Special said it belonged to his grandfather who was an inspector (agent) for the Lehigh Valley Railroad. It is nickel plated, although there appears to be no flaking, someone has attempted to clean certain areas with some kind of polish or mild abrasive. Stamped behind the crane above the assembly number is LVRR. You need a magnifying glass to see it, it is that small, but definitely clear. I think the barrel length is 6", although it may be a bit longer...I forgot to measure it...also forgot to note serial number. I think the serial number had 5 digits, and all numbers matched (below barrel, on cylinder and on grip frame. What model is this? About what decade was it made? Is $500 a good price? Thanks much

Cap

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That is a Military & Police (or .38 Hand Ejector) not sure from the pics but it might be the 1905 last change. What is the serial number on it, that will give us a better time frame. It is definitely pre-World War II. As far as value, $500 is too high even with the history. Alot of those guns saw service with police, inspectors, railroads, security etc. According to the Smith & Wesson Catalog 3rd Edition puts the price at $450 in excellent condition. In my neck of the woods in that shape it's likely a $325-$350 gun.

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Vaya con Dios

Well...I am glad I didn't decide to buy it. It did look somewhat inviting though. Thank you for the information.

I realize the immediate need for information has passed, but I just wanted to offer a couple of thoughts. The shape of the ejector rod knob means the gun is not later than the late 1920s, and the presence of large brass medallions on the stocks (if they are original to the gun) means not from the 1920s. I agree this is probably a 1905 fourth change, and it would have to be from the mid to late 'teens. If it did indeed have a five-digit serial number, then it was a 1905 first change from about 1906/07, and the stocks are probably from a later gun.

It is not a 1905 no change because it has a rebound slide stud.

I agree that $500 was optimistic on the seller's part, but I could see going to $400 if it felt right as I held it. If not, I concur that $350 would be the upper end.

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David Wilson

I am glad you added your comments...I always appreciate info on the Smiths. Although I now have five S&W's (all post war) I still am trying to learn more. Thanks

One thing I will say though is, if the gun is a railroad gun, there are people out there that collect ANYTHING to do with trains, and I mean anything, so you have kind of a niche there. One thing about values on revolvers like this too, it's a regional thing. Where I live, you can't give old M & P revolvers like that away, no one wants them. Most of the guys that I know that collect them, already have what they want and really don't buy any old Smith's unless they are mint. The hardest ones to buy and sell are the 6-inch barreled guns. I visited a little shop a couple of weeks ago and they had a handful of old M & P's, most in average condition, and they all had prices of about $250 on them. The problem is with the M & P because they made them for so long is that alot of people see them as a Model 10, and that's it, even if they are a pre-war gun, first change, etc. If you do buy that gun, I would get a letter on it from Roy Jinks, it might give you some more info on its railroad history, or it might not, but sometimes its worth just finding out.

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Vaya con Dios

While it was priced high, it's definitely a cool old gun. If I could get some documentation with it to record the railroad history, and it fell into my hands at the right price, I certainly wouldn't be disappointed.

Bigmoose,

Does the gentleman still have the .38 Special for sale? I'm interested in it. Thanks, Dan