1905 s&w .38 spl m&p special
- Thread starter FFLMike
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Welcome to the Forum. From the photos this appears to be a M&P, but an 1899 without the forward ejector rod locking point. It is missing the threaded tip of the rod also. Not sure what you mean by "extractor screw"? Do you think the finish is original, how are the bore/chambers, and how is it mechanically?
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FFLMike
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I meant ejector screw, sorry. It is original blueing and the gun is in very good shape as far as what we have talked about. I am going to look at it tomorrow. It belonged to the guys grandfather. If I get it, do you think I'll be able to find the missing parts? I was looking on Numrich, but I'm not for sure what I'm looking for. I normally deal with bolt rifles, but I thought I might like to add this to my collection if I get it right, which I think I am.
David LaPell
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With it missing it's ejector rod tip, the aftermarket grips, and from what appears to be pitting, it's not worth a great deal. How does the other side look? Does the action lock up tight? Is the bore clean or is that pitted? To me, I would offer the guy $150 at the most, and that's only if everything works. If there is pitting in the bore or the chambers of the cylinder, I would throw a $100 at it.
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FFLMike
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Is there any chance I could find the missing parts somewhere?
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I have read the ejector tip is available. The local 1899 expert is Mike Priwer, username mikepriwer - try sending him a private message, or he may see this thread.
FFLMike, buying this gun may or may not be a good idea depending on the reason you want it. If you just want a specimen of an early hand ejector S&W because they are cool, that's fine. If you are looking for a cheap home defense or under-counter gun at a business, I'm not sure this is it. At no time should you ever shoot +P ammo in a gun this old, and you might even want to restrict yourself to low pressure handloads or match wadcutter ammo if you are going to shoot it at all. And under any circumstances you would want to give the gun a complete action inspection to make sure there are no problems with timing, push-off, cylinder looseness, or the other ills that old guns can be heir to.
I'm less hopeful about the availability of ejector rod tips for the Model of 1899 than Alan is, but I could be wrong. There are four or five leading old-parts dealers; if you strike out with them, you have pretty much struck out, period.
Looks like there might be some rust under those pearls. I'd worry about that.
I don't have an 1899, would like to have one someday, but I think I might pass on this one if someone set it in front of me. Excuse me if I sound negative; I am just trying to be cautious on your behalf.
I'm less hopeful about the availability of ejector rod tips for the Model of 1899 than Alan is, but I could be wrong. There are four or five leading old-parts dealers; if you strike out with them, you have pretty much struck out, period.
Looks like there might be some rust under those pearls. I'd worry about that.
I don't have an 1899, would like to have one someday, but I think I might pass on this one if someone set it in front of me. Excuse me if I sound negative; I am just trying to be cautious on your behalf.
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FFLMike
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David, I really appreciate your concern and I would have the same concerns. If I buy it, I will probably never shoot it. Just put it in the safe. I'll definitely buy it right if I do. Not much of a whell gun guy, but I just thought it would be cool to have if I'm in it right.
The first question would be, what kind of money are you talking? It is hard to tell from the photos, but the side finish looks rather bumpy. Could be my monitor but looks rough from here. It's a neat old gun and the M&P will always be considered the bread and butter gun in the S&W line. They have made millions of them and even stole the name for one of their modern lines. I probably wouldn't put more than $150 to $200 into it unless there is something special about it's history.
What you are missing is the extractor rod nob. As far as I know, I am
the only source. I had some made up by a machinist-friend ; they are
exact replicas. Given what looks like a rough (or perhaps pitted )
finish, my like-new nobs might look too-good for that gun. The price is
$75 - just so you know.
1899's are scarce guns today - no doubt about that.
Mike Priwer
the only source. I had some made up by a machinist-friend ; they are
exact replicas. Given what looks like a rough (or perhaps pitted )
finish, my like-new nobs might look too-good for that gun. The price is
$75 - just so you know.
1899's are scarce guns today - no doubt about that.
Mike Priwer
OP
FFLMike
Member
So is it a 1899 or a 1905 or are they the same? I can buy it for $100. Think it's worth that?
Its a model of 1899, and it does not have an extractor lug under the
barrel. The model of 1902 features an extractor lug under the barrel.
The model of 1905 introduced the square butt - this gun is a round
butt. Up until about 1905, all these early K-frame M&P's have the
early lockwork. You can spot this by the presence of a stud almost
directly below the cylinder release thumbpiece. In about 1906, the
trigger rebounding mechanism changes, and that stud becomes
very close to the top of the frame cutout for the grips.
$100 is a good price, assuming that the gun is not damaged. Ie,
bore pitted badly, lockup is poor, timing is bad, single/double action
does not work right, etc. Parts are hard to find for 1899's, so you
don't want anything broken.
Mike Priwer
barrel. The model of 1902 features an extractor lug under the barrel.
The model of 1905 introduced the square butt - this gun is a round
butt. Up until about 1905, all these early K-frame M&P's have the
early lockwork. You can spot this by the presence of a stud almost
directly below the cylinder release thumbpiece. In about 1906, the
trigger rebounding mechanism changes, and that stud becomes
very close to the top of the frame cutout for the grips.
$100 is a good price, assuming that the gun is not damaged. Ie,
bore pitted badly, lockup is poor, timing is bad, single/double action
does not work right, etc. Parts are hard to find for 1899's, so you
don't want anything broken.
Mike Priwer
OP
FFLMike
Member
Thanks for the info. I'll look at it tomorrow.
