I was just gifted this gun and wanted to see if you could help me figure out what I have. Overall condition of the gun is good. Some surface rust on the barrel, but everything functions as it should. Inside of the barrel looks good, but will inspect better when I clean it. Some minor pitting on the cylinder, nothing drastic.

Was this originally blued or polished? Do you recommend refinishing/reblueing it?

Thanks for your help.

Serial# 132310
Left side barrel: 38 S&W Special & U.S. Service CTG'S
Right side barrel: Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass U.S.A. PAT'D March 27 94, May 21 94, Aug. 4 96, Dec. 22 96, Oct. 8 01, Dec 17 01, Feb. 6 06
4" Barrel
Hand ejector fixed sight
Strain Screw on grip strap
5 screws


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I'm going to take a shot at it. I think it may be a M & P model of 1905, first change from around 1907 or so.

Welcome to the forum!

Yours likely shipped in 1908, possibly 1909. As it has a square butt, it would have been called a "Model of 1905" by S&W at that time. The "M&P" terminology was not yet used by S&W - it was then called simply a "Military" revolver, even though only a very few of them were purchased by the Military, and it had not been adopted as "official" by any of the services. Essentially the identical revolver, but with a round butt, would have been called the "Model of 1902" Military Revolver The grips appear to be period-correct. The U. S. Service Cartridge of that time was the .38 Long Colt, the slightly shorter predecessor to the .38 S&W Special. Both cartridges can be used in it. It should be safe to fire, but use only standard velocity lead bullet loadings.