Help have a 4 inch barrel sn#260692 38 special 5 screw what year interested in buying any identification would be greatly appreciated

Does it have a letter (V, C) in front of the serial number? If not, it is a Military and Police (M&P) model from ca. late 1916-early 1917. It could have either a square or a rounded butt. We can't say if you should buy it or not, or for what price, as that depends upon its originality and condition (and other factors), which you have not described, nor provided a picture.

Thanks knew it was old condition is pretty good no pics cause its still at the gun store the ejector rod has sort of a mushroom end and there is no letters before the serial # thanks they are asking less than 200 bucks so was thinking a decent knock around shooter

At $200, it could be a good buy as a decent knock-around shooter. Be sure the bore is not rusted out and the cylinder timing and lockup are OK. If you buy it, use only .38 Special standard velocity lead bullet loads, nothing like +P loads. S&W did not heat-treat cylinder steel at that time, so they are weaker than later K-frame revolvers.

Just to drop a date, that serial number suggests 1915-1916. The gun is nearly a century old. It definitely predates American involvement in WWI. The mushroom-shaped ejector rod knob confirms the early date; those were no longer used after 1927.

It's rare to find a really good nickel finish on a gun that old. If that one looks good, I'd suspect a refinish, which would hold value down in a collector's eyes. But if the gun is tight and sound, and shows no corrosion or undue wear, $200 is a great price for a historical shooter. And yes, no +P. The gun won't come apart in your hand if you shoot FBI loads, but why stress an item that is probably older than your grandfather or even great-grandfather?

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David Wilson

Thanks for the quick replies was just looking for a knock around woods companion not concerned about +p standard loads is all I need feel better about this one in the woods than my fathers 1953 K-22 5Screw which is my favorite range gun. Will try to post pics when I get my new friend