Antique S&W revolver?

[Stanster]

For several years I have had a Smith & Wesson .38 revolver I inherited from my grand dad. I believe he purchased this firearm around 1915. It appears to be a model 10. The serial number from the butt is 1870XX [I am not citing the last two numbers]. There is no letter anywhere near the number. On the left side of the barell is "38 S&W SPECIAL CTG".

On the top of the barrel is "SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS USA PATD MAR 27 84" [THEN SEVERAL OTHE RPATENT DATES ENDING WITH "SEP 14 09"

Does anyone have info on (a) approximately when this old friend was manufactured and (b) if there are speed loaders available for it?

Thanks to all!!

Stanster

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

Sounds like you have a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905-3rd Change, built between 1909-1915. Any Model 10 speedloader will work. I would use mild loads, as it is about 100 years old.

Is it a round butt or a square butt?

Pictures would be nice.

 

[sgms]

You beat me to it Muley Gil, 1905 M&P 3rd is my thought also. and Pictures would be much appreciated. We like see all the nice old iron.

 

[Stanster]

Thanks for the info guys. I will post some photos tomorrow. I'm not sure what exactly you mean by round v. square butt. Also, what do you mean by "mild loads"? I have fire dit with modern .38 specialammo several times. It is very accurate, but, naturally, if I am taking a chance with this ammo I will cease.

 

[gordonrick]

For these older revolvers you should avoid using the +P ammo. Definitely post pictures!

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

In S&W lingo, this is a square butt.

And this is a round butt.

 

[DCWilson]

Ammo: standard .38 Special ammo should be fine in your revolver. I mostly shoot 148 gr wadcutter match loads in my older .38s -- very accurate, with lower speed and lower pressure.

 

[Stanster]

[/ATTACH]



Here are the photos. Looks like a square butt.

There is, to me anyway, an interesting story behind this piece. My grand daddy bought it around 1915, the same year my Mother was born. I am not sure if he bought it new or used. I would guess used. They farmed near the small town of Dinero, Texas [somewhere near Beeville]. In 1920 they moved to Fort Sumner, New Mexico in a covered wagon - perhaps the last or one of the last wagon trains west. Mom was 5 years old and remembered the trip quite clearly and enjoyed telling the grand children about it. Grand daddy lived to be 94 and slept with this Smith and Wesson rev9olver under his pillow every night. When he passed away, I inherited it.

Mother was 1/4 Comanche on her Mother's side. She and my aunt used to ride bareback to school when they were young girls, horifying a few proper Victorian ladies of Fort Sumner. Fort Sumner was where Billy the Kid was gunned down. Mother remembered numerous old men who claimed to recall Pat Garrett, Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County Range Wars. The new state of New Mexico was giving 160 acres to anyone who could build a house and farm it. My brother, sister and I still own Mom's one half of this property. We lease it out to a local rancher for grazing land. It would be excellent if tumbleweeds or rattlesnakes become cash crops.

So I have a little bit of history in my hands.

Grand daddy was from McNairy County, TN and knew how to make whiskey. He put two daughters through college during the depression by using these skills.

Also. lest I forget, THANKS to all of you for the very kind assistance in this little inquiry.

 

[TACC1]

Welcome Aboard from Wisconsin!

That IS a nice looking M&P. It's also great that it is also
quite accurate. Your pics came out quite well.

 

[willieboy]

I have a similar revolver except somewhere in its history it received a nickel plating job. While the patent dates are still crisp, the S&W logo is a bit dim. I guess from the nickel job. Did these originally come nickel plated? If so how do you tell if it is original nickel? there is no N stamped on the cylinder of this M&P like on K & J frame nickel guns. What would the original style wood stocks for this revolver sell for? Thanks

 

[DCWilson]

Willieboy, some of those M&Ps came in nickel from the factory, but it takes an experienced eye to tell if a gun has an original finish or has been renickeled. Can you post photos?

In the absence of photos, check the hammer and trigger. If they have been nickeled, that's a sure indicator the entire gun is refinished. If the hammer and trigger show evidence of case coloring, however faint, they are probably in original condition. That means the rest of the gun may be original too, but doesn't guarantee it.

Grip styles changed in the history of the M&P. If you'll mention your serial number (Or all but the last two digits, which you can represent with xx for privacy), someone can get you close to a ship date and maybe tell you what stocks would have been ont the gun originally.

 

[DCWilson]

Stanster, that's a great looking M&P, and it comes with a story as attractive as its appearance. What a great family heirloom!

 

[Stanster]

Thanks to all who corresponded. It is appreciated! Can anyone tell me where the best place to get speedloaders would be? I live in a very small town, so it will likely have to be by mail.

Thans

 

[delta-419]

Speedloaders

Try Midway USA online or Brownell's in Iowa. They have a lot of shooter's supplies. That is a great looking M&P 38. The cylinder probably was not heat treated and that's the caution for not using hot loads in the old shooter. Standard .38 Special wadcutters with lead bullets and low pressures are OK.
Enjoy!!!