Help I.D. an old 38 S&W SPECIAL

[lionhunter]

I have an older 4" bbl blued revolver, showing holster and use wear, marked as follows:

642560 (serial #?) on bottom butt, underside of bbl & rear cylinder face
50618 on frame under crane & on crane
S&W trade mark circle - small, on left side of frame
MADE IN U.S.A. on right side of frame
38 S&W SPECIAL CTG on right side of bbl
SMITH & WESSON on left side of bbl
DEC. 29, 14 is the last patent date on top of the bbl
4 screws on right side
pinned bbl
Grips are checkered wood w/silver S&W medallions; 642560 stamped onto underside of Right grip; good shape considering age.

So what can you tell me about this? Is it considered a K-Frame size? Is it an M&P model? Year made? Value? I am considering gifting it to my daughter but if it has any collector value I would purchase a new handgun for her.

Thanks

 

[lionhunter]

Addendum: This revolver has NOT been refinished and all the screw heads appear pristine. On the bottom bbl number there appears to be an R in front of and spaced from the serial number. Grips fit tight and may never have been removed prior to my inspection.

Hope this helps with any info. Thanks

 

[DWalt]

Likely an M&P made shortly before WWII, maybe late 1930s. Your sideplate should have 4 screws, not 3. It is a K-frame, value would depend greatly upon condition. At least, it does seem to be all original. Pictures would be good to give a better value estimate. The number in the crane is simply an assembly number.

 

[lionhunter]

Sorry, yes 4 screws on R sideplate. DUH! Fixed the OP. I expected it was made circa 1920's, given the last patent date? Is there a published list of S&W serial numbers showing date of manufacture? Where does the term Hand Ejector apply v. M&P? Thanks for your reply and hope more will be forthcoming.

 

[linde]

So what can you tell me about this? Is it considered a K-Frame size? Is it an M&P model? Year made? Value? I am considering gifting it to my daughter but if it has any collector value I would purchase a new handgun for her.

Pictures are always a good basis to answer your questions but, based on your very good description I would say you have a .38 Military & Police revolver from circa 1932-1933. And yes, it is considered a K-frame. Collector value would depend on more detailed knowledge of condition (here's where the pictures are needed) but any used but well cared for M&P showing normal use from the 30s has a collector following among members of this forum.

Your question about gifting it to your daughter versus getting her a newer one is hard to answer without knowing more about how she would use it. For pure enjoyment in the field or at the range with mid-range or mild loads, it would be perfect. At the other end of the spectrum, if she is looking for something for concealed carry with +P loads, I'd probably consider a swap. The best of both worlds would be to gift her one of each!

Russ

 

[lionhunter]

Thanks guys. So it appears it is not as old as I thought.

I checked the grip page and do not see these shown anywhere in the pics. They have a very distinct rounded top that fits into the frame, not on top of it, if that helps at all.

There is some finish blemishing on the right sideplate which could have been caused by some type of surface corrosion at one time. No pitting there, however, and as stated earlier it does show holster wear and normal use wear, including a cylinder turn ring. I am sure it was carried on a regular basis at some point, but it was well taken care of as a service weapon, IMO.

I acquired this about 10 years ago and have held it in storage, after cleaning it, with the intent to gift my daughter and her family as a home protection gun.

 

[DWalt]

I had made an earlier posting which I inadvertently deleted, so I will repeat some of it. Yours is officially a Model of 1905, Hand Ejector, Military and Police, 4th Change. All K-frames are hand ejectors as opposed to the earlire break-top designs which preceded it. This type revolver began production about 1899, with several changes made later. Yours would have some collector value if in very good condition, maybe $400-600. Pictures would help pin it down.

Dating is a problem for S&W revolvers made during the Depression. Guns piled up in inventory unsold, and many guns made in the earlier 1930s were not actually shipped until years later. Nonetheless, I suspect yours was made in the later 1930s. As a reference point, the first revolvers of this type were shipped to the British for military service in early 1940, with a SN beginning at about 680,000.

There is probably no better home protection handgun, especially for someone who does not have any significant gun knowledge or experience, due to their simplicity and safety. These are good revolvers, as good as any made today, and better than most.