.38 Hand Ejector - 1912 (?)

[pasound]

So I continue on my quest to not buy any "new" guns in 2022. So today I found my second Hand Ejector this year, a 6" .38 Special, which the seller said was 1912. If so, that makes it 110 years old. Maybe so. My SCS&W says the serial, 215519, falls in the range of 1909-1915, so the number makes sense for 1912. All serials match, butt, barrel, and cylinder, plus it still has the original grips. The serial is penciled onto them, too. No lanyard ring hole, or any indication there ever was one. Cell phone pics are actually a little better than it looks to the eyes. Nickel, seems original, no "N" on the butt, a little bit of corrosion in usual places, but no pits. Bore is sharp. Cylinder face is black from shooting, turn line is not prominent. Needs a thorough cleaning. Action is smooth. A good addition to the other "older-than-me-Smiths" I've picked up in the past couple of years.

 

[krsmith58]

nice catch. i have a few 100 + year old guns. fun to shoot and think where and with who they may have been. that looks like it has been well cared for. thanks for sharing. krs/kenny

 

[pasound]

Now that I have two HE's in nickel, I'd love to find one in blue.

 

[DARE]

Here is mine. .38 Hand Ejector, M&P Model of 1905, 3rd Change Target. SN 210874 Shipped May 14,1913.
Guns were not shipped in SN order. With a number 5,000 higher than mine, my guess is that yours shipped after mine.
Some folks may be along that can get pretty close to a ship date for you.

 

[Muley Gil]

Look at the serial number stamped on the bottom of the barrel. If there is a "B" prefix, it was shipped blued. A lack of a "B" indicates it shipped with a nickel finish.

 

[pasound]

No "B" under the barrel.

 

[mikepriwer]

It looks like the hammer and trigger are blued.

Mike Priwer

 

[pasound]

Not blued. That's the photo. They are the standard case hardened colors. Usually look black without details. Photos don't make that show up. I cleaned and waxed it the past two days, new pics tomorrow, if I can get good ones.

 

[pasound]

Posted a family pic here. Figured it needed a new thread.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...550-my-three-oldest-so-far.html#post141511286