I'd like to identify this revolver.

[Orickjosh]

Hi guys,
I have this . 38 special I'd like some info on please
Sn 118xxx
Nothing on right side of barrel
Large S&W emblem on right behind the cylinder
.38 S&W special CTG on left barrel
4 screws with one on front of trigger guard
Thank you.

 

[mh51]

It's a .38 M&P Model 1905 probably made 1906-1909. There were some minor engineering changes made during that time, but those only matter to collectors chasing a pristine example.
Use it with standard velocity loads and enjoy it! Nice piece of history.

 

[JP@AK]

I have this . 38 special I'd like some info on please
Sn 118xxx

Very nice. Mike has correctly identified it. It has the 6 1/2" barrel and it is a near certainty that those stocks are original. That style disappeared in about 1910. I have a 6 1/2" target model (shown below), also in the 110000 range. It shipped in April, 1908.

4 screws with one on front of trigger guard.

That makes it a five screw frame. The screw in the trigger guard retains the plunger and spring for the cylinder stop and was added to the frame in 1905.

 

[mauserargie]

JP@AK, I´ve just bought a revolver just like yours. When I fieldstripped the gun to clean it, I noticed a little locking lug between the yoke and the frame.

It looks like a little springloaded steel ball , located in the yoke, that fits a litte hole located in the frame.

I´ve never seen such device before, in spite of I´ve got a 4" fixed sights nickel plated Military and Police Hand Ejector dated 1909 and another one with 5" barrel dated 1917.

Now the questions: Does your revolver has that third "locking device"? Any data about it? Is it a common characteristic?

By its serial number, it was made in 1913/1914.

 

[mikepriwer]

It's not a ball, but rather a pin.

Mike Priwer

 

[Muley Gil]

JP@AK, I´ve just bought a revolver just like yours. When I fieldstripped the gun to clean it, I noticed a little locking lug between the yoke and the frame.

It looks like a little springloaded steel ball , located in the yoke, that fits a litte hole located in the frame.

I´ve never seen such device before, in spite of I´ve got a 4" fixed sights nickel plated Military and Police Hand Ejector dated 1909 and another one with 5" barrel dated 1917.

Now the questions: Does your revolver has that third "locking device"? Any data about it? Is it a common characteristic?

By its serial number, it was made in 1913/1914.

Welcome to the Forum, Orickjosh.

As Mike Priwer said, it is a spring-loaded pin and its purpose is to hold the cylinder in the open position during loading and unloading. It went away fairly early in the K frame, but remained in the N frames into the 1930s, IIRC.

 

[glowe]

I think this era revolver was one of the best made M&Ps of all times. Perfect fit, polished mechanics that still shine after over 110 years, and overall a high quality build. I believe that the correct model is 38 Military & Police, 1st Change. There is some discrepancy as to when the 1st Change to 2nd Change happened, but the popular number is 120,000. I have a nickel square butt in the 113,XXX rane that shipped late 1907 and a 38 Target with serial number 121,XXX that wit an odd-ball ship date of 1919. Yours would fit the 1907-1908 ship date time-frame. I am told that my shop lighting produces images of the stocks with a red tone, but they are actually more brown.

The pin that holds open the cylinder had a round end that acted like a ball. Heck, these often fly across the room and are hard to find, a ball would be impossible if lost.

 

[rct269]

"------------to hold the cylinder open during loading and unloading."

That differs from what I was told once upon a time. That went along this line: There is a range command which calls upon shooters at the line to cease fire, and lay their revolvers down on the bench with the cylinders open-----the spring loaded pin to hold them open.

That made sense too-----right up until I tried it----and found it would not hold the cylinders open with a fully loaded cylinder, or one with a preponderance of live rounds (depending upon the location of the chambers containing the live rounds)---especially with larger caliber guns and heavier ammunition----which introduces the question of the strength of the spring.

Then again, a gun with the cylinder resting against the frame (never mind
opened enough for the pin to engage the detent) is just as safe.

Not being a shooter familiar with range commands didn't help with understanding all this dic-doc, so I remain properly confused----as ever.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[mauserargie]

Thank you for your clear replies.

 

[JP@AK]

JP@AK, I´ve just bought a revolver just like yours. When I fieldstripped the gun to clean it, I noticed a little locking lug between the yoke and the frame.

It looks like a little springloaded steel ball , located in the yoke, that fits a litte hole located in the frame . . .

Now the questions: Does your revolver has that third "locking device"?

Yes, it does, as do my earlier K frames, both .38 Special and .32-20. Mike and Gil have explained it for you.

 

[DWalt]

Hi guys,
I have this . 38 special I'd like some info on please
Sn 118xxx
Nothing on right side of barrel
Large S&W emblem on right behind the cylinder
.38 S&W special CTG on left barrel
4 screws with one on front of trigger guard
Thank you.

Based on the SNs on my list, I'd have to say yours probably shipped sometime in 1909, give or take a year.