c. 1900, .38 Special s/n 5578

[LarryW]

This is my oldest S&W, s/n 5578. I had S&W authenticate it (via their request form and pics I sent them). They reported it was originally sold to the Navy in 1900 as a 6" and that at one point in it's life it was modified. I have a problem with that in that the labeling on the top and side of the barrel is obviously from the maniufacturer, and if a 4" was substituted for a 6" (by the Navy or by a different purchaser down the pike) I can't believe these markings would remain in tact. The barrel (left side) is clearly labeled as ".38 S&W Special Ctg" and along the top reads "SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD, MA, APRIL 9 89 MAY 21 95 JULY 16 95 AUG 4 96 DEC 22 96 OCT 4 98". The barrel is threaded and pinned with 4 screws on the right side, and it has walnut grips. The pistol fires tight and true. I've had a couple of retail gunsmiths look at it and gave it a value of ~ $250. Well, I ain't selling it. Paid $90 for it from a sporting goods dealer as a kick-around house gun. When I got the letter from S&W I was afraid to take such a seasoned gentleman out of the box. Any thoughts (history, possible value)?

 

[mikepriwer]

Can you get us a picture of the butt ? Navy contract 1899's have some other
stamping on the butt.

Also, does the serial number on the flat of the barrel match with that on the
rear of the cylinder , and also on the butt, or low on the front grip strap ?

Also, its missing the nob that threads into the end of the extractor rod. There
should be internal threads there.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[Camster]

If the barrel was cut or a replacement installed, it would still have factory markings on it,as oem barrels are it,for Smiths.Check barrel number to butt number.

 

[LarryW]

(I really appreciate this, gents. This may help settle a mystery of mine.)

Okay...The Serial Number 5578 appears in the pic labeled "5578 Ser No" located on the front of the grip strap.

The ser no on the rear of the cylinder is 5578.

There are no markings at all on the butt (see "5578 Butt")

On the "5578 Flat Under Barrel" (located right above the ejector rod) the numbers 17548 are visible with perhaps a letter "T" in front of the numbers.

There is no knurled knob on the ejector rod. Only a straight-slot screw head (see "5578 Extractor" and "5578 extractor b" pics.)

Have also included a pic of the "Right Side".

My immediate "re-conclusion" after this more thorough exam is that the barrel came from another gun (ser no 17548), but that the re-barrel work was done at a regular manufacturing facility, not at a military armory. That may account for the "T" in front of the 17548. (This novice's SWAG, anyways.)

(Wish I could lay this on the table in front of you guys. I really appreciate your opinions. I owe you several refreshments and probably a couple a racks of ribs at least.)

 

[mikepriwer]

Larry

The markings on the butt have been milled off - that is why the grips overhang the
frame a bit. What was there was a Navy anchor, and Navy number - from 1 to 1000.
The screw in the end of the extractor rod is wrong - it suppossed to be a knurled
nob.

The barrel clearly has been replaced - all the 1899 Navy contract guns were 6".
I don't know what the T is, but presumably the number on the barrel is
the serial number of the donor gun.

Almost every Navy contract gun is in relatively poor condition. The story is that
they were stored in barrels shipboard, and they exhibit poor surface condition. There
was only 1000, so they have a lot of collector interest.

Later, Mike Priwer