Need Identification Assistance

Bullseye22 · #1 01-15-2018, 02:53 PM

Long story shortened. Back in the 60s and 70s as a police officer, we were required to carry a S & W 38 Special with round nose lead bullets only. Saw this revolver in a pawn shop and thought it was like the one I carried back in the day. When I took it apart to clean it, it was much different mechanically than my carry firearm. I own many post 1980 S & W revolvers that I shoot regularly but this one is different. I am not a collector but I have had so much fun trying to figure this revolver out that I may start. The revolver is mechanically sound about 98%, locks up tightly on correct cylinder, fairly good blue finish probably 80%, no barrel pitting and fair grooves. The serial number on the butt is 6813, under the cylinder lock bar is the number 56813. On the back of the cylinder is number 56813. What do I have here. Thanks

murphydog · #2 01-15-2018, 03:07 PM

Welcome! It is a .38 Military & Police that is from no later than the early 1920s. It has been refinished as evidenced by the rounded frame contours and missing barrel rollmarks (on the left side).

If the full SN is present on the bottom of the grip frame, it dates to about 1904 and would be called a model 1902 1st change; it would have been one of the first to have a square butt grip frame (flared out at the bottom instead of tapered in). The internal parts on these would appear different from a 1960s era model 10. Hope this is helpful.

PALADIN85020 · #3 01-15-2018, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murphydog

Welcome! It is a .38 Military & Police that is from no later than the early 1920s. It has been refinished as evidenced by the rounded frame contours and missing barrel rollmarks (on the left side).

If the full SN is present on the bottom of the grip frame, it dates to about 1904 and would be called a model 1902 1st change; it would have been one of the first to have a square butt grip frame (flared out at the bottom instead of tapered in). The internal parts on these would appear different from a 1960s era model 10. Hope this is helpful.

I agree that this is a Model 1902 - I inherited one of these with the identical lockwork that belonged to my paternal grandfather.

A word of caution if you wish to use it. You will find that if you push the hammer forward from its "at rest" position, it can be pushed further forward. If this revolver is dropped on its hammer, it has the potential to fire any round that is in the cylinder underneath it. Although it has a rebounding hammer, there is NO hammer block to prevent discharge until the trigger is deliberately pulled. It's an OLD revolver, obsolete in design and probably not up to metallurgical snuff compared to modern guns.

I keep my grandfather's gun for nostalgia's sake only. It's definitely not a more modern and safe gun for carry.

John

DWalt · #4 01-15-2018, 03:21 PM

SN 56813 would indicate it is a round butt Model of 1902 (the Model of 1905 did not exist until around SN 58000). It looks like the grip frame may have been modified by welding to the square butt form and very obviously refinished. It would probably date from 1904.

JP@AK · #5 01-15-2018, 03:29 PM

Alan has the ID correct. The serial number on the butt has been partly polished out, no doubt when the gun was refinished. The partial number that is left lines up with the stamps elsewhere on the gun (you mentioned 3 of the 5 locations).

Engineering changes in '06, '09, '15, '44 and '48, resulted in significant differences in the inner workings of the .38 Military & Police revolver. Now you have one from the early period. Enjoy.

JP@AK · #6 01-15-2018, 03:34 PM

BTW I agree with DWalt. The grip frame has been altered. The shape didn't seem quite right for a factory square butt, so I blew up the pic and the poor welding is all too obvious.

Hondo44 · #7 01-15-2018, 04:17 PM

Welcome to the forum.

Members above have nailed its pedigree and vintage.

The frame serial # is the most important from a legal stand point, and that's the one on the butt that's been slightly obliterated.

Wiregrassguy · #8 01-15-2018, 04:36 PM

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! It's apparent someone wanted a square butt gun pretty badly. Even though we know the 5 digit numbers on the cylinder and barrel are correct, for legal purposes you'll have to use what's left on the butt unless someone restamps the missing 5.

DWalt · #9 01-15-2018, 08:40 PM

I have seen square butts modified to round, but this is the only time I remember seeing the reverse conversion.

Bullseye22 · #10 01-15-2018, 08:43 PM

Thank all of you for the welcomes and for great information. I will keep the old guy for a nice keepsake but probably not as a shooter. Glad to have the precaution about the hammer. The old guy can shoot well I’m sure but I will just give it a nice resting place until it goes to my grandkids. I will be sure to keep the information you all have provided with the revolver. You guys are great. Thanks again.