M&P ID, Date and Value help

[grey2393]

I just purchased this M&P for $75 (I have a local dealer that watches out for me). I think it is a 1905 4th. 38 S&W special.Smooth trigger and checkered hammer. It is serial #5109xx and has the small S&W on the left with Made in USA on the right side. Are the grips correct? And can someone give me an approx. birth date and value?
Thanks,
Grey2393

 

[grey2393]

I just purchased this M&P for $75 (I have a local dealer that watches out for me). I think it is a 1905 4th. 38 S&W special.Smooth trigger and checkered hammer. It is serial #5109xx and has the small S&W on the left with Made in USA on the right side. Are the grips correct? And can someone give me an approx. birth date and value?
Thanks,
Grey2393

 

[JayCeeNC]

Grey, that's a great classic S&W for an unbelievable price, congrats!
That style of grip was used from 1920-1929, according to Nahas and Supica's Standard Catalog of S&W, 3d. Ed.
I have a few 1905 4th Models but not one close enough to your serial number range to correctly date it. I imagine someone else with one close to your serial # will chime in and give you an approximate shipping date. In other words, it's entirely possible those are the correct grips.
On S&W's of that era it was procedure to scribe the serial number in pencil on the inside panel of the right grip. Have you looked to see if there is a number there and does it match the serial number on the butt of your revolver?
Again, nice catch.

 

[mikepriwer]

The gun is 1925. The grips are the correct ones, and the right grip
should be numbered, maybe in pencil, on its underside. I can't tell the
overall condition from that small fuzzy picture, but I would guess its
at least a $200 gun. $75 is way too cheap.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[opoefc]

# 518900 was shipped in March 1926, so Mike's estimate of a 1925 date for your gun is right on the money. Ed.

 

[km371]

$75.00? I think you did great!
This dealer must be a good friend to let you have it for so little.
It looks in pretty nice shape. Heck, $75.00 is worth it for the parts alone.

 

[mikepriwer]

Grey

Can you get a better, and bigger , picture of this gun ?
Particularly the hammer and trigger ? They look too white in
this small picture. Are they plated, or is it just the light ?

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[rchall]

You sure must be livin' right to get it for that price. I'd say that dealer is one heck of a friend!