Help identifying pistol

[Elub]

Hey all,
I am new to these forums.
I recently inherited a S&W revolver that I would like to learn more about.
It’s a 5 screw k frame
Serial:202xxx
6 inch barrel finished in nickel
Rounded grips in pearl. No lanyard loop
38 special
Fixed sights
Hand ejector
No model #

Thanks for your help!

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! If there is no letter in front of the digits of the serial number, you have a .38 Military & Police model of 1905, made in about 1908. The round butt version was made in smaller numbers than the square butt. Photos would help for a definite ID or a value estimate.

 

[Elub]

I’ve attached photos. She is in pretty rough shape cosmetically but is mechanically sound. Is there anything I can do to clean it up?

 

[jebstuart]

Welcome.

Those pearl handles look undamaged, if so they are quite valuable. I would remove them and replace with properly fitting wood or the like before shooting.

As for the metal, I've cleaned nickel revolvers like that up with jewelers polish (rouge), a Dremel, and felt polishing bob. I polished all of the metal as bright as possible to match the remaining nickel. A coat of wax, Ren wax or carnauba afterwards to protect it. This requires complete disassembly and a small padded vise. If you're not comfortable with this kind of thing, I wouldn't recommend it. If you try it, take a lot of pictures while disassembling. Good luck.

 

[shouldazagged]

Welcome, Elub. Stick around, and keep us posted on what you do with that old revolver. And how it shoots, with standard pressure or target loads.

 

[murphydog]

Proof positive that corrosive primers and weather are bad for nickel finishes...but it will probably make a decent shooter.

 

[Elub]

Thanks for the info and advice guys. I’ll be sure to post some pictures once I get it cleaned up.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

Please post some along the cleaning route, too. We love "progress" shots, and you'll love to have them to refer back to in the future.

 

[quinn]

I think I might take a more conservative approach: removing the pearls and soaking the who revolver in a 50/50 mix of ATF (automatice transmission fluid) and acetorne. Cover to keep the acetone from evaporating. After a week take it out, let the mixture drain off, wash off with acetone or alcohol, then start polishing with flitz on a cloth. You could also use Mother's Mag polish. The ATF mix should stop the corosion. I'm afraid that a dremel could remove the remaining nickel.

 

[mbliss57]

I second the advice on the MOP stocks. I can't see of the right side but if it is also not cracked I would remove them and set aside. They are worth more than the gun itself if undamaged. I see a lot of them on those older revolvers but most have cracks or chips in them. Finding an unblemished set is not common. Dp what others have said with the gun, its a shooter no matter what path you take, albeit a fun shooter. Can you show a pick of the right grip completely?

 

[Elub]

The right has a single crack that runs from the screw toward the trigger guard.

 

[jebstuart]

It appears that no material is missing, so the crack can be repaired.

 

[jebstuart]

I think I might take a more conservative approach: removing the pearls and soaking the who revolver in a 50/50 mix of ATF (automatice transmission fluid) and acetorne. Cover to keep the acetone from evaporating. After a week take it out, let the mixture drain off, wash off with acetone or alcohol, then start polishing with flitz on a cloth. You could also use Mother's Mag polish. The ATF mix should stop the corosion. I'm afraid that a dremel could remove the remaining nickel.

I agree. I would try your process first and see if that's what I was looking for. I've never tried it but it sounds really good.

Jewelers rouge is one of the mildest abrasives that I'm aware of, and a small felt bob allows you to work only where needed. It's the only way that I know of to make the steel shine similar to the remaining nickel. But I'll tell you, I'm knot the brightest nife in the bulb....box...er...wait...never mind.