Old Smith & Wesson 38 Special
My Father's Gun
Probably built prior to 1950 or even 1940
Serial Number 604xxx on metal handle frame and on wood grips..
Another number on frame, 18481
6" barrel

I would appreciate learning model number and approximate date of birth.

You haven't provided much descriptive information to go on. A picture or two would be good to identify it. I would guess you have a S&W M&P Hand Ejector, Model of 1905, 4th Change, from the later 1920s. But I cannot be sure.

Thanks for your reply. I thought the numbers would Bingo. I know nothing about these guns. I will get a picture in here if is can figure it out.

I see I am not allowed to develop an album yet.
I will post a picture when I am approved to do so.

Does it look anything like this?

He sure did. The fact that it's a .38 Special in the 604XXX serial range tells us it's a Model of 1905, 4th change and was most likely shipped from the factory in the late 1920's. Not much more descriptive information is needed...

And welcome to the forum to our new member JRT.

Mark

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S&W Forum Member #721

welcome01 to the forums from the Wiregrass! You have to join the S&WCA to be allowed an album. However, you can attach up to 5 photos to each post without being a member. Just Go Advanced and scroll down to Manage Attachments, upload your photos that must be sized no larger than 800x800 pixels, and post away.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Exactly, except for whatever has been added up by the hammer.

My barrel is 6".........from the point where the barrel lines up with the cylinder.

Thanks Guy.

John JRT

Thanks Mark. I think you guys are about to get me started. I even know how to spell Smith and Wesson now.

John JRT

Will I appreciate the help I received here and hope my revolver is in fact a Model of 1905, 4th change. I need a hammer and misc. parts so I called Numrich and talked to a lady that didn't know what a Model 1905 was. She talked to a technician and he said it sounded like a military version. I ran their parts list and the 1905 was not mentioned. There is a military & police section but no way for me, as a novice to know what I am looking at.

Additional help would be appreciated.



JRT

My LAST POST WAS IN ERROR.

Sorry Numrich!

I stated that a lady at Numrich didn't know what a Model 1905 was.

It was in fact Midway, USA that said they didn't know.
I just found a Youtube on the Model 1905 by Larry Potterfield at Midway, USA. He seems to know a lot about this item. Hard to believe his people were not informed.

The Smith and Wesson Model 1905 Military & Police 4th Change - YouTube

Welcome to the place John. Your revolver is called the Military and Police Model. It is built on the "K" frame and is one of what was called the "long" action, they are wonderful, sweet shooters, I have a 4" that was built within a couple years of yours and will still deliver the goods. Stick with standard factory loads, no +P stuff and you will have a great friend with you.

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Always bet on stupidity.

It is unlikely that MidwayUSA will have anything you can use on that old revolver except springs, screws and grips. For replacement action parts, you will need to check out Poppert's, David Chicoine or Jack First. While Numrich might have some pre-WWII parts, most of their parts are for model # guns. If you go there, look at the Model 10 as that is what the Model 1905, 4th morphed into. Even some of the WWII Victory parts may work, especially those before the hammer block.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

I can supply proper Hammer and Trigger for that gun.
reach me at [email protected]