Can someone please help identify my pistol I inherited?
Hand ejector
serial no. 9103
38 special with 4 inch barrel
Fixed sights.
Smith and Wesson 5.jpg

Smiths and Wesson 3.jpg

Smiths and Wesson 4.jpg

Smith and wesson 6.jpg

Well, it's old. I'm not sure how old, but clearly pre-WWII and likely much older than that based on the serial #. (Like Pre WWI.) That said, that ejector rod looks pretty to me, and I am almost wondering if it a clone, not a S&W. Photo # 3 also makes me wonder, as the forcing cone area looks odd. Then again, this may be because it such an early Hand Ejector; not my area at all.

Someone with a clue will come along shortly and correct my guesses.

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NHI, 10-8.

Your revolver appears to be a Model 1899 .38 Hand Ejector Military. This would have been manufactured somewhere, probably, 1900 to 1901. Unfortunately is has been used very hard and poorly refinished at some point at least once.. The ejector rod head is missing. I would hesitate to shoot it in the condition it appears to be in.

Looks like SN 9103. If so, that would date shipment to, probably, early 1901. As previously noted it would be a Model of 1899, AKA the "First Model." These are historic revolvers, the first of the S&W K-frame revolver line upon which much of S&W's success during the 20th century was based. The extractor rod knob is often found to be missing, and originals are essentially extinct. The knob is specific to the Model of 1899 revolver. There may be a possibility of getting a replica replacement knob if you desire, but it would not be cheap. It is very unfortunate it is not in better condition, else it would be quite desirable. As it is, most collectors would consider it just as a hole-filler, only until one in somewhat better condition could be located to replace it. I agree it is best to let it stay in retirement permanently rather than to attempt shooting it. The holster is interesting and could well be period-original, but I know little about the early holsters. What does the oval stamp say? Others may be able to tell you more about it.

Thanks all for the prompt replies and great information!
I'll try to post better pics and respond more in depth later today.

Appears to be W.A. Mitchell Co. Makers, Hartsell, Alabama.

Attached Images

Holster Detail.jpg (43.1 KB, 32 views)

A hunting buddy and I were coon hunting one night and in the middle of nowhere came up on the remains of an old log cabin. My buddy said if this place could talk I bet it could tell of some fighting and loving. Don't you wish that pistol and holster could talk? Larry

Again thanks for all the positive feedback.
As for the suggestion of not shooting it, now I'm concerned. I've been shooting it quite a lot. Its my wife's favorite when we go to the range. One of the employees at our local range said it was indexing fine and he felt very little play in the cylinder. The bore still looks shiny but the exterior finish is just worn considerably because it was carried daily for years.

And I do long for the stories it could tell. It may have been purchased new or issued to a relative. I think a Great Uncle was a policeman in the city of Hartselle, Al. at the turn of the century. My father was born in 1936 and he inhered it from his Father. I'm going to take it to a family reunion next month and ask around.

The cylinder extractor cap is missing because when I was around 6 years old I found this gun in my Fathers underwear drawer. The cap was loose, I thought it was neat so I took it

I'd shoot it, but try to avoid any high-octane rhino loads. The stocks (probably after-market) are really nice.

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Why, I aughta.....

It's not dangerous to fire with standard velocity lead bullet .38 Special ammunition. However, until 1919, S&W did not heat-treat cylinders, so they're somewhat weaker than those later versions which were heat-treated. As many replacement parts for these early K-frames are somewhat difficult, if not impossible, to find, any parts breakage due to use will probably render it permanently disabled. It will always be worth considerably more in operable condition rather than in broken condition.

Thanks for the advice, I'm going to limit firing it now.
I hope I never have to sell it. I've got two daughters. One's a princess the other a tomboy. I after reading your posts I told the family. Now the girls don't have to fight over their mother's wedding rings. Princess gets first choice of jewelry and tomboy gets first choice of guns...they all agreed.