Help dating a M&p Hand ejector 38 special Copy

[Alex Torres]

Hi guys, I've spent the last 2 hours trying to find out what year was this gun made but haven't found any informations since the serial is only 5 digits and there are no leters on it, I know it's a M&p or Hand ejector 38 special, but other than that I've got nothing, any ideas guys? Also, it only works as a single action, is there a part missing? And if so, what is it called? Thanks in advance

 

[Alex Torres]

Help dating a M&p Hand ejector 38 special

Hi guys, I've spent the last 2 hours trying to find out what year was this gun made but haven't found any informations since the serial is only 5 digits and there are no leters on it, under the barrel there is a letter and a number: y75, and under the gun read 700XX I know it's a M&p or Hand ejector 38 special, but other than that I've got nothing, any ideas guys? Also, it only works as a single action, is there a part missing? And if so, what is it called? Thanks in advance

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! This appears to be a .38 M & P as you noted.

The number on the bottom of the grip frame has been restamped and may not be the official serial number. If you see the same number stamped on the rear cylinder face and the barrel flat it is 'probably' the SN, and dates it to about 1906.

The trigger guard has been bent and the side plate screws are missing, but you probably knew that already.

 

[Vbk76]

Does it have a single mainspring that v's like a colt. it looks it in the last pic. Because the guts look spanish

 

[gordonrick]

There are a number of anomalies - 4-line address with a mushroom extractor knob? Could be a factory "re-mark" but unlikely.

The trigger rebound set-up is all wrong (as noted) and something doesn't look quite right with the S&W trademark on the grip medallion.

I have to go with Vbk76 on this one.

 

[Daniel Howe]

Looks to me like its missing the sear. I'll take a guess and say its a model 1899

 

[Wiregrassguy]

That doesn't appear to be a Smith & Wesson to me. As one of the other folks up the line said, it's probably Spanish

Guy

 

[Absalom]

I would also think this is not a Smith & Wesson.

I have not seen the four-line trademark bloc on a Spanish copy, but the sideplate logo and the logo on the grip panel look wrong, and while I am not familiar enough with innards to make technical judgments, I perceive dimensional oddities as far as the shape of the hammer, the sideplate etc. are concerned.

Considering it has the four-line, it must be post-1948, and given that, it looks much too crude for a Spanish copy, especially the random symbols on the barrel flat. Khyber Pass?

 

[Vbk76]

All the Spanish smith and Wesson copies I have switch to the smith Wesson type innards in the 20's on up. The early ones (m92 "copies" and later to the 20's )have the colt hybrid type innards. That looks like an earlier spanish "design". Meaning ww1 era/post war...it also doesn't have the Spanish proofs that the mid to late 20's had. So I wonder if this is a Spanish copy that was "restamped" like the snub that was on her that was restamped in Mexico?

 

[mikepriwer]

The V-shaped spring is wrong, and the shape of the hand is wrong. This is not a S&W.

Regards, Mike Priwer

 

[JP@AK]

Funky. That's what I'd call it. The absolutely weird thing is the S&W four line stamp on the frame. Everything else seems to indicate it is of foreign origin.

And Daniel Howe:
It can't be a Model of 1899. It has the front locking lug.

 

[DCWilson]

I'm with Absalom: Too crude for the Basque-area gun industry, but clearly a knockoff. East Asia 1950s? This reminds me of a couple of things I have seen attributed to that area.

Yes, it's missing the double action sear from the front of the hammer, so it only works in single action.

I would not fire this gun under any circumstances.

 

[Daniel Howe]

Funky. That's what I'd call it. The absolutely weird thing is the S&W four line stamp on the frame. Everything else seems to indicate it is of foreign origin.

And Daniel Howe:
It can't be a Model of 1899. It has the front locking lug.

And I knew that, what am I thinking. The innards are all wrong and its got my mind all screwed up. No shoulder on the barrel so pre 1903? so would that make it a mutation of a 1902?

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

Looks like a Spanish copy to me as well. You are missing the spring and the double action sear. The DA sear should be pinned to the front of the hammer. If you replace the spring and sear, you should have DA capacity. It is possible a S&W sear will fit.

 

[Alex Torres]

Thanks everyone for your replies, I never would have guessed this was not an original S&w, I just thought it was very old. So you don't think this is safe to fire? What could happen?

 

[shouldazagged]

Thanks everyone for your replies, I never would have guessed this was not an original S&w, I just thought it was very old. So you don't think this is safe to fire? What could happen?

What could happen might entail personal injury. As crudely made as it is, I wouldn't want to trust the metallurgy.

But anyway, welcome, and stick around. You'll have a good time and learn a lot here.

 

[Vbk76]

I've shot my spanish copies and one believed to be Philippine copy. I reload super light mouse farts for them just to say I've shot them...but that's me. Could always do a wax load too

 

[Texas Star]

Where are you? Mexico?

We have a member here who lives there and says there are some remarkable fakers there.

 

[walnutred]

Khyber Pass copy by chance? While I've shot several Spanish S&W copies I would not consider shooting that one. I can just imagine how rough the lock-up and timing is.

 

[Alk8944]

Welcome! This appears to be a .38 M & P as you noted.

The number on the bottom of the grip frame has been restamped and may not be the official serial number. If you see the same number stamped on the rear cylinder face and the barrel flat it is 'probably' the SN, and dates it to about 1906.

The trigger guard has been bent and the side plate screws are missing, but you probably knew that already.

IT S NOT A S&W you can look forever in S&W references and you will never find anything about this gun.