Need Help Identifying Hand Ejector

[greypilgrim76]

Hi All,

I've recently come into possession of a couple of older S&W revolvers. One of them is a .38 Special hand ejector. Here's the pertinent info:

1. TYPE: hand ejector

2. SERIAL NUMBER: 12021

3. CTG or CALIBER: .38 Special

4. BARREL LENGTH: 4 inches (or 3 7/8, to be precise)

5. SIGHTS: fixed

6: Pictures:

http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums...2-E076-4A97-B858-0E51038E484B_zpsqkvkyk6e.jpg

http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums...4-8A5D-4F99-93D5-89B908AC3031_zpsfzmr0idm.jpg

If any other information would be useful, I'll be happy to provide it. I look forward to hearing your thoughts, and thanks in advance for any information you can provide!

 

[DCWilson]

That's a .38 Military and Police First Model, or Model of 1899. It probably shipped in 1900, but it might have left the factory as late as 1902.

The gun looks as though it may have been refinished, but it would take hands on inspection or better photos to be sure. I get a feeling of rounding over at the frame corners, which is one of the indicators of a repolish before a second finish is applied. Also the trigger return spring stud looks a little flat. On original finishes, that pin is domed and protrudes from the surface.

 

[beagleye]

1st model of 1899 Military and Police revolver. It is distinguished from all following M&P models in that there is no lug under the barrel to capture the end of the ejector rod.

 

[greypilgrim76]

Very interesting. I didn't realize it was quite *that* old! Out of curiosity, what photos could I take to give a better sense of whether it had been refinished?

 

[Jimmyjones]

If it was originally nickle from the factory it should have an 'N' stamped on the grip frame, cylinder and I believe the underside of the barrel.

Indicating nickle finish.

 

[greypilgrim76]

No Ns that I can find anywhere, so I'm assuming it's been refinished.

 

[Muley Gil]

If it was originally nickle from the factory it should have an 'N' stamped on the grip frame, cylinder and I believe the underside of the barrel.

Indicating nickle finish.

IIRC, the early revolver were marked with a "B" in front of the underbarrel serial number to indicate a blued finish.

While your revolver may have been refinished, it is very possible that it originally shipped from the factory with a nickel finish.

Remove the grips, carefully. If it has been back to S&W, it will have a date marking, such as 630 or 6.30, which would mean June 1930.

 

[greypilgrim76]

Hmmm...no Bs either. I guess I'll go have a look under the grips and report back. If I can, I might try to snap a few more pics as well. Thanks for the continued info, fellas!

 

[glowe]

An areas that help determine refinish for me are a few close-up pictures of the stampings on the gun. The markings on an original finish gun should be sharp and clean, most viewed should have stiny shoulders around the stamping edges. Those edges either wear down with use or are taken off in preparation for a refinish. Often you can determine the direction the metal was buffed by looking for "smears" on one side of the stamping. If factory refinished, the stampings could have been refreshed, but the gun would have a star and a date of factory refinish.

 

[greypilgrim76]

I got around to looking under the grips, and didn't find any numbers, so if it was refinished, I'm assuming it wasn't done by S&W. I've posted some more pics below, just to give a better sense of the gun. If anyone sees anything interesting, I'd love to hear it!

http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums...2-36FA-478C-A0F2-3B78AB47A794_zpsufvbbj9c.jpg

http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums...7-7637-4DB3-B096-C262B8C48386_zpssrflykfp.jpg

http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums...F-0903-487D-9B3E-6603A98079BC_zpsijzpfrew.jpg

http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums...8-3ECD-486C-98EF-40DD7A25D4B8_zpsqsqt9w0f.jpg

http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums...E-A6C5-424B-8E06-973B148036D5_zpss2e9nxjm.jpg

http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums...A-E122-4830-A95D-ED6A01C5BC53_zpsyiafoma5.jpg