Model of 1905; date and value?

[rct269]

Another question to everyone that's helped out...Were there more of a certain barrel length made than others? Just curious what you have all seen.

For openers, I haven't seen diddly about fixed sight M&P's because of a vision disorder that allows me to see only target guns---been that way pretty much forever.

That said, it stands to reason the 4" barrel leads the pack by a WIDE margin!!

That's because I have my father-in-law's 4" M&P bought new in 1920, and carried daily in the hip pocket of his overalls for 60+ years----AND then there's A BUNCH of so-called VICTORY MODELS they made---not to mention another bunch carried by civilian police officers---and ALL of them for the same reason: They're handy. You can carry a 4" pretty much all day long, sitting or standing, and it's not going to get in the way of anything.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[firefighterjohn]

That is a plus for value. Original wood grips from that period are not that common.

If I can take the grips off I'll take a look at the inside also. I've seen some pictures of ones on auctions sites that look like they were written on in with a blue/green pen.

Thanks DWalt. With everything I've learned so far, I'm glad I grabbed this one.

 

[rct269]

Serial numbers written in pencil on OLD gun's grips can often still be seen using a BRIGHT light applied from an angle---and viewed from an angle---------and if/when one angle doesn't produce results, try another angle.

The same results can often be achieved using a camera with flash---also from an angle.

For those possessed of an inquiring mind, the reason it works is just 'cause it does.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[firefighterjohn]

Worth a Letter of Authenticity?

After I get this one home and being that it will be the oldest S&W in my collection, would it be worth the $100 to get a Letter of Authenticity? I've never done that before but read thru the threads here and downloaded the form. Just asking opinions on this 1905 and if it's worth it with so many produced over the years...

Also, last year I got an older 36 Baby Chief; 5-digit SN, that two-bit-cowboy estimated would be 1952. That's another one that I thought might be interesting and worth the $100 to learn it's history as well.

 

[hkcavalier]

It's a gamble. We've seen some really interesting letters on here, but they tend to be from Registered Magnums, obvious factory customs, and other low-volume guns popular with what we'd now call enthusiasts. Anecdotally, letters on the common models tend to just state it shipped to X Hardware Store in X town/city. Your imagination can take it from there.

I've lettered 5 guns and only one came back with mildly interesting info, a pre-39 9mm.

 

[Truckman]

I thought might be interesting and worth the $100 to learn it's history as well.

To me a C-note is cheap for a history lesson...I'm in the process of lettering all my guns......Ben

 

[DWalt]

Agree it’s a crapshoot with very long odds against finding anything of interest that will appear in the letter, especially if it involves an ordinary M&P made in great numbers. Your money, your decision.

 

[alwslate]

To me a C-note is cheap for a history lesson...I'm in the process of lettering all my guns......Ben

A C-note is cheap for a history lesson? You must have a lot more C-notes or a lot fewer guns than I have. If I laid out a C-note for a letter on all of my guns I would end up in a line at the food bank

 

[Truckman]

A C-note is cheap for a history lesson? You must have a lot more C-notes or a lot fewer guns than I have.

Right now the stack of C-notes is much shorter than the stack of guns, but I continue to keep Don busy writing letters when I'm able...Being both a SWCA and SWHF member helps lower the cost for me...About 30 or so letters in the file now, and maybe another 100 to go......Ben

 

[4K2022]

Another question to everyone that's helped out...Were there more of a certain barrel length made than others? Just curious what you have all seen.

I’ve found, the length of the one you Want,, is the one that’s always hardest to find.

 

[DWalt]

Right now the stack of C-notes is much shorter than the stack of guns, but I continue to keep Don busy writing letters when I'm able...Being both a SWCA and SWHF member helps lower the cost for me...About 30 or so letters in the file now, and maybe another 100 to go......Ben

So how many of those 30 letters revealed any information of significant historical interest beyond a shipment date and a notation that it was sent to some wholesale distributor in Louisville or Chicago?

 

[BabaBlueJay]

Last week at my LGS they showed me a Model of 1905 that they just took in. At least I think it's a Model of 1905 since it has a square butt. It is pretty good shape, has original diamond stocks and had a great tight cylinder lock-up. The serial number is 759nn and the OTD price was $500 so put it on layaway.

This would be my first S&W of this type so I started doing some research here and some auction sites.

Can anyone give me a manufacture date range and what 'change' it might be? I know prices can really fluctuate based on condition and age, but I thought this was a nice deal and a one to add to my collection. It surely would have been gone if I hesitated.

Thanks for any input.

This would not happen to be in Ohio would it? My LGS has one too.

 

[firefighterjohn]

This would not happen to be in Ohio would it? My LGS has one too.

Nope BabaBlueJay, that would have been too far of a drive for me, regardless of the price. If it's still there, you should go get it!