First Gen Hand Ejector?? Need Help Identifying

[copo9560]

I am new as of tonight to S&W forum - posted this at Glock Forum and they suggested coming here for great advice.

My dad gave me an old S&W 38 to sell and I think it might be worth more than he thinks. See picture at link below:

38 Special
5 inch barrel
Serial number 9xxx - only 4 digits
No model number on gun
Adjustable sights
Black S&W grips

Some minor holster wear at front and on cylinder but overall in very good condition. Fully functional and cylinder clocks perfectly.

Looking this up in Blue Book and from advice from Glock guys, it appears to be a 1st Gen Hand Ejector. Would like to know this for certain and what a reasonable value would be.

http://s1065.photobucket.com/albums/u398/copo9560/?action=view&current=DSCN1729.jpg

 

[cgt4570]

Yes, it's a Model 1899 Hand Ejector with target sights. What's your asking price. Please feel free to email or PM me. I'm interested.

And, no, you won't find a model number on it. It was made almost 60 years before model numbers as we know them even existed.

 

[opoefc]

It appears to be a Model 1899 with some after market alterations. The hammer has been lightened by drilling holes through it. The rear target sight maybe an addition after the gun left S&W with standard sights, as the front sight is the standard service style. A factory target model would be unusual with an adjustable rear sight and no target front sight. You will need factory historical letter from Roy Jinks to ascertain what the gun's configuration was when it left S&W. The factory would make you any gun you could pay for but it's unlikely a serious target shooter would order the gun in it's present configuration. If the gun won't letter , as you see it, then the value is only minimum as a relic black powder shooter. What are the markings on the barrel? Ed.

 

[copo9560]

The hammer has 3 dimples on it but they are not holes through. Not sure what is going on here. The front sight looks different from pictures I find on the net for First Gen models - not sure what that means either.

I'll be writing S&W to get a letter - probably the only way to verify what it was when new. The rear sight appears to my untrained eye to be factory - pretty crude by todays standards, but fit is very good.

 

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the Smith forum!

To get an immediate possible indication, remove the left grip and look for a 3 or 4 digit date (for example: 3.42 for Mar 1942) on the lower grip frame which will tell you if & when it went back to the factory for alteration. Also, is there a star after the serial number on the butt?

The Model Name is: ".38 Model of 1899 Army-Navy Revolver" or in collectors terms; .38 Military & Police 1st Model.