A little help please with identification of S&W 1905 ???

[shooboy]

Hi all, I could use a little help with any info on a S&W Model 1905. I think it's a 1st or 2nd change model. The serial number is 759988, it's blued with a 4" barrel. Backstrap is stamped "USNCPC" ??? Maybe U.S. Navy Coastal Patrol or something like that ??? Gun's in pretty nice shape with I think refinihed grips that aren't numbered to the gun, a little holster wear at the muzzle, and slight freckling on the left side of the frame. Any thoughts on value ??? I'll post a picture when I get a chance. Thanks for any help you can give, Shooboy

 

[shooboy]

Hi all, I could use a little help with any info on a S&W Model 1905. I think it's a 1st or 2nd change model. The serial number is 759988, it's blued with a 4" barrel. Backstrap is stamped "USNCPC" ??? Maybe U.S. Navy Coastal Patrol or something like that ??? Gun's in pretty nice shape with I think refinihed grips that aren't numbered to the gun, a little holster wear at the muzzle, and slight freckling on the left side of the frame. Any thoughts on value ??? I'll post a picture when I get a chance. Thanks for any help you can give, Shooboy

 

[geoff40]

I think it is "US Navy civilian police corps", and that is a hard to find M&P. It is a 4th change gun, by the way. Original finish on that gun in say, 90% or better can exceed $1000 in price.

 

[opoefc]

Here's the Rest Of The Story: There were 3000 revolvers ordered from S&W with the U.S.N.C.P. stampings on their backstraps, standing for United States Naval Civilian Police Corps. The order was approved by a directive to the US Navy Bureau of ordnance on Jan. 4, 1941, by the Ass't Sec. of the Navy. These guns were delived in ten batches of 300 guns each between Mrch 14 and April 24, 1941. Serial numbers ran from approx. 750,000 to 765,000 range. At the time these guns were being ordered the Navy received requests for many 1,000s of small arms for arming guards (civilins) at Navy facilities as well as merchant ships transporting war materials, etc. Apparently the idea of a Civilian Police Corps for the Navy got overwhelmed as no further evidence exist that it was actually formed. Records indicate that many of these 3000 S&Ws, with the USNCP stampings, were sent to various defense plants for civilian guard uses, merchant ships and some to overseas destinations of the Allied Forces then fighting the Axis. They are a variation of the Pre-Victory S&W Model 1905s that saw WW2 uses. Many show up in almost unused condition if they went to a Defense Supply Commission order. All were .38S&W Special caliber. Ed.

 

[shooboy]

WOW !!! Thank you both for the fantastic information, it's greatly appreciated. The gun was priced at $799 and I was thinking about it until my son told me today he wants to go to truck driving school. So, I probably won't have any extra funds for awhile.
Here's the photos if anyone is interested, thanks again, Shooboy