Father in Laws police service revolver.

[Cracker American]

My late father in law served on the local police force in the late 50's early 60's. Over this past weekend a cousin gave this revolver to my wife telling her it was her fathers. Been missing forty plus years. Well the years have not been kind and the revolver is abused. Tight inside but rough outside.

I will let the pictures tell the story. Anything ya'll can tell me about it will be great.

 

[murphydog]

It appears to be a .38 Military & Police with a 6" barrel. The stocks are from a wartime version of this gun called a Victory Model. It was refinished at some point, not usual for a service gun in the humid South.

If you can give the first few numbers from the bottom of the grip frame, like 123xxx, we can let you know about when it left the factory. Hope this is helpful.

 

[Mike McLellan]

I see checkering on those stocks. That and the mushroom extractor along with a lack of "made in USA" on the right side make me think that it's a 1905 4th from around 1921. Just a wild guess, though.

 

[Cracker American]

SN on the cylinder and bottom of the grip frame is 365xxx.

The one on the frame in front of the cylinder is 445XX

There is very worn checkering on the grippanels.

From the forcing cone to the end of the barrel is 5"

 

[wheelgun610]

SN on the cylinder and bottom of the grip frame is 365xxx.

That serial range would be early 1920's production. Beginning about 1924, all S&W's had MADE IN USA roll marked on the right side of the frame just below the cylinder.

I'm seeing is a marking on the rear exposed area of the hammer that makes me suspect the hammer was likely replaced. The marking that says "REG. US PAT. OFF." weren't seen 'till the mid 1930's. Is there a 'star' stamped on the butt near the serial number?

 

[Cracker American]

Cannot find a star on the butt, but that area has a lot of abuse showing. Kind of hate to take the polishing wheel to it.

 

[desi2358]

Cannot find a star on the butt, but that area has a lot of abuse showing. Kind of hate to take the polishing wheel to it.

Don't go to the polishing wheel, it really won't help. I have seen the star marked on the frame under the grips as well, it indicates a factory repair or refinish. Of course as a duty gun it could have had any repair work done by a department armorer or even a local shop that did work for them.

 

[glenncal1]

Doesn't look that bad to me. That is "family" wear. "Family" wear is different than wear from a stranger.

 

[DWalt]

Not great monetary value, but you can't price a family treasure like this. Don't mess with it. It is probably still a good shooter, and will handle any factory .38 Special ammunition, even +P. But I suggest using standard pressure lead bullet loads if you plan to fire it.

 

[smith17]

Oil it up well and put it in a shadow box with the holster and maybe an empty box of period correct ammo, commemorating your father-in-law.
Ed

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Oil it up well and put it in a shadow box with the holster and maybe an empty box of period correct ammo, commemorating your father-in-law.
Ed

I'd rather shoot it, but if you take smith17's advice and have trouble finding an ammo box locally, let me know. I can probably find you something suitable at no cost to you.

 

[Cracker American]

My wife, who just got her cc permit, is anxious for me to get it cleaned up so she can shoot it.

The action and trigger are very tight. I suspect the gun has little actual use.

Thank you all for the help and advice. Hope someday I can return the favor.