Help identifying hand ejector

[dcollins5]

So I picked this up for a fair price, but after reading a post, I'm wondering if this was made between 1910 and 1923, since there is no logo on it...???

Forgot to include: 6 digit serial number, no letters in the SN. 4 inch barrel, fixed sights, 38 S&W special ctg on the barrel. I know the grips are not original. Also, any idea of the value?

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[s&wchad]

Welcome aboard!

You have a refinished .38 Special Military & Police Model of 1905, 4th Change.

I'm not sure of the serial number. I'm seeing 308582 on the butt and 508592 on the cylinder. It's probably just the photos.

308XXX should be around 1920.
508XXX around 1925-27.

 

[kscharlie]

Yours would be a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905, 4th Change. It most likely shipped around 1920. It has been refinished by someone other than Smith & Wesson. This is indicated by the hammer and trigger that is nickel plated. S&W never did this. Also, the edge of the side plate has been rounded off, indicating someone was a bit over zealous with the polishing. As noted, the stocks are not factory and are badly damaged. If the gun is in good mechanical shape, value might be around $200. There were more than 750,000 of this particular model made between 1915 and 1942.

BTW, welcome to the forum.

Edit: And as I typed, S&Wchad posted.

 

[dcollins5]

Thanks guys. It is a SN 308XXX, (so it was made in 1920) and I paid $200 for it. It is mechanical sound. Should I have it refinished, or just replace the grips and enjoy it?


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[thadheth]

If it were mine, I would replace the grips and enjoy it. Refinishing will cost quite a bit and won't appreciably increase the value. Fun gun to shoot - especially considering it's approaching its 100th birthday.

 

[delcrossv]

I have a refinished M&P like yours. It's a great shooter. Get some comfortable grips on it and have fun. Don't waste any money refinishing it again, you won't add any value.

 

[gordonrick]

If SN 316648 (where they started heat treating cylinders) was built in September 1919, the 308582 would have been built just a bit earlier - the shipping date, of course, could be much later. The lack of the S&W logo helps confirm the time frame. I believe yours might have originally had the service stocks with recessed gold medallion (my favorites).

I agree with the others. Unless you just want to, don't bother with a refinish. You will really like the action on these older ones. The only thing I don't like about mine (SN 313625) is the dang razor thin front sight.

 

[Igiveup]

I'm starting to really appreciate these older revolvers. I find the oddities, like the refinish, sort of enjoyable to see, fun to research leading to more education of the whole S&W revolver line.

 

[dcollins5]

I'm starting to really appreciate these older revolvers. I find the oddities, like the refinish, sort of enjoyable to see, fun to research leading to more education of the whole S&W revolver line.

I couldn't agree more.


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[mikepriwer]

If SN 316648 (where they started heat treating cylinders) was built in September 1919, the 308582 would have been built just a bit earlier - the shipping date, of course, could be much later.

There is no necessary relationship between the build date, and the shipping date. When a gun was completed, it was either shipped immediately, or placed in inventory for later shipment. BUT, the serial numbered frames were chosen more-less randomly, when they were being assembled and built as a gun. This is what accounts for most of the 1-2 year discrepancy between serial numbers, and shipping dates.

Beyond all of that, there are no records of build dates.

Regards, Mike Priwer

 

[dcollins5]

Any recommendations for what grips would fit the gun?


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[thadheth]

Any K Frame square butt stocks will fit. Original ones will be expensive (given the approximate date of the gun, they may or may not have had S&W medallions).

 

[Hondo44]

The lack of logo pretty much pins it down to assembly between 4/17 up to 1920.

If it has a B in front of the serial # on the bottom of the barrel, it was originally a blue finish.

Shoot and enjoy!

 

[glowe]

A set of square butt walnut diamond service stocks with a gold medallion will do the trick. ebay has them quite often and a decent somewhat worn pair can be had for around $50. Very good stocks will push over $100 with the medallions.

I have at least one of these left if interested in some very nice condition stocks. PM me if interested.

 

[TurboJoe]

Hi there, sounds crazy but those may be real pearl grips. I have the same on an auction gun. The trigger and hammer are not plated. Reason might be the tolerances change and are not predictable.