I need help identifying what this is?! NEW INFO

[NormRP]

UPDATE: The back side of the ejector star and the backside of the crane both have the guns serial number stamped on them. So I am thinking that maybe this just went back to Smith for a refinish?!

Thanks again for all your help.

Norm





Hello,

I have been admiring all of your Smith's for a long time here.

I now have a question about one of mine. I bought this to be a shooter but just what do I have here?

It has a 6 inch barrel and it is marked 38 S&W SPECIAL CTG.

The first digit of the serial number is almost covered by the lanyard ring. The serial number is 428xxx followed by a star.

On the left side of the grip frame under the wood grip is the number 9.10.28 and the number 1 0 5 3. Also by the pin that holds the lanyard ring in there is a small stamped 'B' inside a recessed square.

The back side of the left grip has a different number on it as well.

The crane and the part of the frame that the crane sits in have another number that is 5 digits and they both match, but they are different than the serial number on the bottom of the grip frame.

Overall the revolver has seen use but has not been abused.

If any of you could tell me what model it is and the approximate date of manufacture I would really appreciate it.

I am not a photographer but have tried to give some pictures to help with.

Again, thank you for any information you can provide.

Norm

 

[Art Doc]

That is a Military & Police Model made in the late 1920s. The lanyard ring is somewhat unusual (and way cool IMO) and suggests a police order. The star on the butt is likely a factory service stamp meaning the gun was returned to S&W at some point for service, most likely a refinish (the B in a diamond often means refinish in blue and maybe in October of 1953 by the 1053 stamp). I wonder if the 9.10.28 stamp was placed by the purchasing agency upon receipt since that is about when the gun was made.

This was S&W's bread and butter gun for many years. In 1957 this model was designated the Model 10. This gun would probably sell for around $300 today. I'd love to have it.

 

[machinisttx]

It is a Military and Police, Model of 1905 4th change. Serial number indicates that it should have a heat treated cylinder.

The serial number on the cylinder and yoke, as well as the flat on the bottom of the barrel(above the ejector rod) should all match. If they don't, parts have been replaced.

 

[DCWilson]

The company did more than just refinish it when it went back to them. The ejector rod (no knob) and barrel (no knob cut) are postwar. The stocks -- high shoulder magnas -- look postwar as well. They certainly couldn't be original, because at the time of original manufacture magna stocks did not exist.

 

[NormRP]

SaxonPig, machinisstx, DCWilson, and stbryson:

Thank you all for the wealth of information.

I looked at it again and the serial number on the cylinder and the lug under the barrel ( I never noticed them before, ya learn something new everyday!) match the serial number on the bottom of the grip frame.

The number on the yoke and on the inside of the frame where the yoke sits is 58582. Not even close to the serial number. And why wold that number be on the inside of the frame where the yoke fits?

Thanks again,

Norm

 

[popgun]

the number on the yoke & inside the frame are assembly numbers.

 

[NormRP]

popgun and stbryson,

Thank you for explaining that.

So my M&P was rebuilt by the factory at some point and the grips were probably fitted at that point as well. Is it possible that the 1053 stamping was for October of 1953 and that is when it was rebuilt?

Anyway, it is a cool old revolver.

Thanks again,

Norm

 

[Muley Gil]

Norm,

Those are assembly numbers.

"Is it possible that the 1053 stamping was for October of 1953 and that is when it was rebuilt?"

Yup.

 

[popgun]

And your correct it is cool.

 

[NormRP]

Thank you popgun...

Thanks Muley Gil.

I only bought this because I like Smiths and old guns and thought it was cool.

It seems to have a little history behind it.

I really appreciate all the help you guys have given.

Thanks,

Norm
ps. now it is time to take it out and shoot it!

 

[Iggy]

That is one NICE specimen. Take care of it and enjoy it.

 

[NormRP]

Thanks Iggy.

Don't worry about it being taken care of. I bought some .38 target wadcutters especially for it!

Norm

 

[FBullseye]

For a complete and fastidious test, Norm, you could look on the back of the ejector 'star' to see if there's a number there (if replaced most probably not) and if there is one, see if it's the serial # (not sure on this one, but postwars should have it there too).
Replacement stories always have one thinking, why? Had there been a problem, an update, just cosmetics?
Now it is a nice gun anyway, so shoot and enjoy.
PS I also think the lanyard ring is kind of cool.

 

[hsguy]

You should also have the serial number on the rear of the crane, you can see it looking through the cylinder charge holes from the rear. Let us know how it shoots.

 

[NormRP]

FBullseye and hsguy thanks for the tips. I will check it out in a couple of days. Just had a little surgery yesterday and won't be doing anything for a few weeks.

Yep, I think the lanyard ring is cool too.

The bore is nice and shiny and the rifling seems prety good.

When I saw it at the gunshow I figured it had to come home with me, and the price was right so here it is.

I also wonder like SaxonPig suggested that the 9.10.28 stamping might be the date it was logged into some agency's books?

I'll get back to you about how it shoots but it will be a while.

Thanks again for all your help.
Norm

 

[NormRP]

The back side of the ejector star and the backside of the crane both have the guns serial number stamped on them. So I am thinking that maybe this just went back to Smith for a refinish?!

Thanks again for all your help.

Norm

 

[NormRP]

Hey Steve,

Thank you. I now remember you saying in an earlier post that the barrel and ejector rod were postwar style. And someone else pointed out that the grips were post war as well.

All serial numbers including barrel match. So for some reason the barrel and ejector were replaced by the factory, and maybe a refinish as well since it is in pretty good condition for an 80 year old revolver.

I really like it and it is definitely a keeper.

Thanks again for all the answers.

Norm

 

[JSR III]

I agree with the others that the extractor rod style is not correct for the timeframe of this gun. That number puts it in the 30's, I believe, and it should have a knob on the tip. The stocks on the 1905 4th's were walnut with Gold Medallions however the Magna's came out in the mid 30's and were available as well.

I have 3 M&P 1905 4th's in the 260XXX, 673XXX and 802XXX range and 260 and the 802 both have walnut stocks with Gold Medallions that number to the gun. The 673 gun has replacement stocks that are checked with a star around the stock screw that are by a yet unknown maker.

My 802 is also equiped with a lanyard ring and I agree looks really cool.

The difficulty with the gold medallions is that the gold does come off. The left medallion of my 802 is missing half the gold plating and I fear that over zealous cleaning can turn them from gold to silver making it more difficult to identify precise time frames.

Enjoy your new acquisition.

 

[NormRP]

James,

Thanks for the info and the details about your guns.

This Smith has turned out to be more interesting than just being a cool old revolver.

I am really happy with it. Can't wait to get out and shoot it.

Thanks again.

Norm