Help a newbie with an oldie!

[boray]

I'm fairly familiar with most revolvers from about the early 80's on, but the old ones I know practically nothing about. This is the "much heard of, never experienced, husband dies, little old lady needs to get rid of", gun story. My sister -in -law called me because I'm the "gun guy" in the family. She says a cop she works with has access to three guns belonging to a widow and the cop asked her if she'd like a Smith & Wesson .38 for $75. He didn't know much about it just that it was a nickel .38. I advised her that for $75 I'd be willing to take the risk of buying it. She bought it. It actually looks better than the pictures show. It has what appears to be aftermarket fake staghorn grips (removed in the photos). Everything else appears to be correct. Any info anyone can give me on this revolver would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[s&wchad]

Welcome to the forum.

That's a post-WWII transitional (long action) .38 Special M&P. The nickel appears factory. The "S" prefix signifies the then new hammer block safety.

 

[Cruiser RN]

That is 75 dollars well spent.If it were mine it would go to S+W for renickle and full eval to bring it back to factory condition.I was blessed to buy my instructor's 1967 Detective Special and it has been @ the Colt spa for Royal Rebluing and rebuild,and I bought a pair of Executioner's Stag Grips.When it comes back it will be glued on my hip.I love classic revolvers.......Mike

 

[pace40]

Welcome to the forum!

"S" series M&P's in nickel are not that common a gun. Ya done good

Work on stopping any active rust and get a pair of proper grips and enjoy it.

 

[s&wchad]

Ya done good

Ya think?

... for $75, I'd be on that like a hobo on a ham sammich.

 

[flagman1776]

Good find. Personally, I'd use some Breakfree on a soft patch, maybe build to some denim to rub the rust spots. They won't go away but the patina is honest age. I'd look for a pair of older grips & enjoy it.
If the rust really bothered me... after a year of getting to know her... I'd consider sending her back for dermatology.
Russ

 

[cgt4570]

Before considering a refinish, I would give it a good hand polish with Flitz. It would make it look a lot better. Correct grips are most most likely the early style of post-ww2 diamond magnas with sharp shoulders.
It was possibly a police or working gun due to the honest wear you would expect from a holster.

 

[kobsw]

Good looking .38 and I especially like the case hardening of the trigger and hammer. It's not sparkling new but has a great vintage look.

$75 is beyond a bargain...

 

[m-1911]

I think that it is too old for S&W to do any work on it. I would get some proper grips, and polish it up with Flitz or Simichrome

 

[borntoraisehogs]

Try some Flitz on the rust . Sometimes it looks a lot worse than it is .

 

[murphydog]

I think that it is too old for S&W to do any work on it. I would get some proper grips, and polish it up with Flitz or Simichrome

That is my understanding from a recent conversation with the Performance Center. Model marked guns and no Airweights is what I was told. Remove rust, polish and enjoy.

 

[Smithboomer]

Remove rust, polish, .... and shoot!

 

[boray]

Thanks for all the replies. I suspected it was a post war "S" model but the local shop told my Brother in Law it was a 1905 model produced in 1906 or 1907. They told him it was worth $850-$1100!!! He should have asked them to make him an offer. Anybody know the actual value, since they aren't collectors they'd really like to sell it and add something more modern to their arsenal. Thanks again for all the replies!