I am unable to indentify my grandfather's revolver. It is nickel, 4" barrel, tip-out 6-shot cylinder, steel frame and cylinder, star ejector, checkered walnut grips with diamond at screw with no logo, round front sight, square notch rear sight top of frame, checkered hammer spur, pinned barrel, 4 screws in frame and 1 screw in grips, constant width ejector shaft, S&W logo on left side of frame, "Made in U.S.A." on right side of frame, "38 S. & W. SPECIAL CTG" on right side of barrel, "SMITH & WESSON" on left side of barrel, two lines on top of round barrel - 1st line "Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass U.S.A." 2nd line "Patented Feb.06.08.Sept.14.09.Dec. 29.14". I find four serial numbers 448661 (underside of barrel, bottom of butt, rear of cylinder, inside of star ejector). Also when I tip out the cylinder, it has 38203 stamped on inside of frame and also on the cylinder yoke. Can anyone help? Thank You.

Welcome to the Forum.

If there is no prefix to the number found on the butt, which is considered the official serial number, you have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905, 4th Change. It was probably shipped from the factory in the 1920s. The numbers stamped on the frame are assembly numbers.

Please post pictures.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Yes, welcome. Gil pretty much nailed the ID for you. I'll just add that other guns with nearby serial numbers in that model group were shipped in 1923. Your grandfather's gun probably was too, but the only way to nail that down for sure is to order a history letter from the factory. They cost $50. Some people think the info in them is worth the price, others don't. The letter gives you a general history of the model and then the exact shipping date and recipient for the specific gun you are lettering. Usually the recipient a regional distributor or hardware store, but occasionally a specific individual is named if a person is ordering directly from the factory.

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David Wilson

The 1923 date is probably correct. The Made in USA stamping allegedly started some time in late 1922. However, manufacturing date and shipping date may be quite a bit different, so if you want to know an exact shipping date, a $50 factory letter is the only way to find out. You might want to add a picture for additional information. Nickel plating is always suspicious as being a re-finish if in good condition, but factory nickel plating was done. S&W did not plate triggers and hammers, and if those are not plated on yours, it may well be original. Correct stocks will be checkered wood, but without S&W medallions. A factory letter will also verify the original finish and grip types.

Thanks for the information. I've tried for half an hour, but the jpg file won't upload from my computer. After reviewing the PPGS pictures, I'd estimate this 80%-85% because of freckling in the plating. The hammer and trigger show the case hardening, so I'd guess it hasn't been refinished (it hasn't seen the light of day since 1970). I believe I will contact S&W and request the history letter. Thanks again for all of your help.

Got to the top left on this page, click on Downloads. The letter is in the left second group down. Hope that helps.

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Dick