ID Help

[Nclark84]

Inherited pistol from my late grandfather. Cosmetically rough but action is smooth and works well. Any ID/age/info help would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

-Hand ejector
-Serial 172701
-38 S&W special CTG
-4" barrel
-Fixed site
-Strain screw
-No butt swivel
-5 screw

 

[JP@AK]

Welcome to the S&W Forum.

You have a Military & Police Model of 1905 that probably left the factory sometime around 1912.

The target stocks are much later. Those were used from about 1955-56 until about 1968. A management order, dated December 28, 1967, required the elimination of the smooth diamond at the screw location.

Given the finish issues on the gun, the stocks alone are worth as much as the revolver.

 

[JP@AK]

Follow-up:

The original stocks for your Model of 1905 looked like this:

 

[Nclark84]

Welcome to the S&W Forum.

You have a Military & Police Model of 1905 that probably left the factory sometime around 1912.

The target stocks are much later. Those were used from about 1955-56 until about 1968. A management order, dated December 28, 1967, required the elimination of the smooth diamond at the screw location.

Given the finish issues on the gun, the stocks alone are worth as much as the revolver.

Thanks so much for the welcome and the history lesson! The gun is sentimental so no worries on the value. Just great to know a little more info. Sure wish I would've asked more questions when my grandfather was around. Thanks again!

 

[JP@AK]

Sure wish I would've asked more questions when my grandfather was around. Thanks again!

Don't we all. My grandfather passed away just before I shipped out for 'Nam. When I got back, my dad gave me Grandfather's S&W .38 Target Model of 1905 that he always carried when we were out roaming around the desert. I lettered it and found out it shipped to Honeyman Hardware in Portland, Oregon, on April 6, 1908. That's a revolver that will never leave my family's possession.

 

[Nclark84]

Don't we all. My grandfather passed away just before I shipped out for 'Nam. When I got back, my dad gave me Grandfather's S&W .38 Target Model of 1905 that he always carried when we were out roaming around the desert. I lettered it and found out it shipped to Honeyman Hardware in Portland, Oregon, on April 6, 1908. That's a revolver that will never leave my family's possession.

That's so cool you've got the memories and the history. My grandfather was state highway patrol, so no telling where this one came from. Would definitely be interesting to see what a letter came back with on it.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Welcome to the Forum, and condolences on the passing of your grandfather. But it appears that you inherited his utilitarian .38 M&P revolver, and that's cool. I say utilitarian because it's a smooth shooter but has a rough finish...obviously well used and/or slightly abused. The diamond-center target stocks are much later than the revolver, but they're in really great condition and worth quite a bit of $ by themselves. The finish wear is a little unusual...do you have any idea how it got so scuffed up? Since grandad was Highway Patrol, this revolver may have been an evidence gun that he picked up through the department...I don't believe it would have ever been his duty revolver. There were literally millions of M&P revolvers manufactured by S&W over many decades so your revolver is not rare or particularly valuable, but it obviously it has a lot of sentimental value. You don't need to worry about shooting it, so go out and have fun. Enjoy!

 

[Housepuss]

Don't we all. My grandfather passed away just before I shipped out for 'Nam. When I got back, my dad gave me Grandfather's S&W .38 Target Model of 1905 that he always carried when we were out roaming around the desert. I lettered it and found out it shipped to Honeyman Hardware in Portland, Oregon, on April 6, 1908. That's a revolver that will never leave my family's possession.

I remember Honeyman Hardware quite well. They were a long time. very well respected hardware store in downtown Portland. I can
remember going there in the 60's to pick up materials for my fathers business. The building is still standing, build in 1912, 2 story brick.
Brings back a lot of memories.

 

[Muley Gil]

"...I don't believe it would have ever been his duty revolver."

Why not? Lots of departments used .38 M&Ps.