Need help in identifying.

[Jeffrey114]

I'm struggling to find much information on this one since there isn't a model number so I thought I would ask on here for some help. It's been well used in its life so kind of wondering if it was a service rovolver or not also.

 

[DWalt]

You have a .38 Military and Police (M&P) model (not a Model of 1905) from around 1923-24. There was no model number used at that time. I can’t tell if the nickel finish is original, but I doubt it from what I see. See if you can take a picture of the serial number stamped on the bottom of the barrel.

 

[firemanhank]

Welcome to the forum. It's a .38 Military and Police model of 1905 4th change. Someone will be along with a proper date but imma say late 20's early 30's.

 

[Jeffrey114]

Here is under the barrel.

 

[DWalt]

Without a B stamped ahead of the barrel serial number, it may have left the factory nickel plated at that time. Need additional opinions regarding that to verify.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Hi Jeffrey! Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! DWalt and firemanhank have ID'd your revolver. I see .38 M&P's with serials near yours shipping in late 1924 and early 1925. As DWalt points out, it appears it was nickel plated outside the factory. The biggest telltale is the hammer and trigger are plated and S&W made those in case colors. Many of the .38 M&P hand ejectors were used by police. It was a popular model from its initial launch in 1899. S&W also made around a million of them for the US and British forces in WWII. Its ancestor descendant is the Model 10 that is still being produced. Through all its engineering changes, about 7 million have been made over its lifetime.

 

[Jeffrey114]

This is a 38 special and not just a regular 38 correct. Thank you all for helping ID it

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Yes. The caliber stamp on the barrel gives the cartridge (CTG) the gun is chambered for. .38 S&W Special, AKA .38 Special.

 

[DWalt]

This is a 38 special and not just a regular 38 correct. Thank you all for helping ID it

For all intents, the .38 S&W Special cartridge is the “regular .38”. There are other different .38 caliber handguns and cartridges, but the .38 S&W Special cartridge and revolvers using it are vastly more common than any of them.

 

[Muley Gil]

Hi Jeffrey! Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! DWalt and firemanhank have ID'd your revolver. I see .38 M&P's with serials near yours shipping in late 1924 and early 1925. As DWalt points out, it appears it was nickel plated outside the factory. The biggest telltale is the hammer and trigger are plated and S&W made those in case colors. Many of the .38 M&P hand ejectors were used by police. It was a popular model from its initial launch in 1899. S&W also made around a million of them for the US and British forces in WWII. Its ancestor is the Model 10 that is still being produced. Through all its engineering changes, about 7 million have been made over its lifetime.

I believe you meant to say that this .38 M&P is the ancestor of the Model 10.

 

[pasound]

I have the "maybe" 1912-1913 precursor to your gun. I have #215219, 6", nickeled, no B in front of the barrel serial, so it seems it may be a factory finish. I've been told it was called the 38HE (Hand Ejector). Fired a few rounds through it after I bought it. It shot to POA with fixed sights with today's 158gr SWC, similar to the standard ammo of 112 years ago. Had it disassembled once for a thorough cleaning, and I'm amazed at how similar the internals of those pre K-38 and Mdl 10's are to now. Very few engineering changes.
You have a fine example of the S&W's of that era.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

I believe you meant to say that this .38 M&P is the ancestor of the Model 10.

 

[AC Man]

This is a mid 1920's according to the serial number and the grips look original. The grips did not have medallions thru the 20's. Can't help you on the finish. I have two of these mine are a bit later 1926 to 1927.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Welcome to the Forum! You now know which S&W revolver model you own, and yes, it shows a lot of wear and tear. It has definitely been polished and re-nickeled outside of the factory at some point in its life- you can tell by the rough fit of the right sideplate seams, the "dished out" areas around the screw heads and stamped letters/numbers, and the nickel plated hammer and trigger. Without a letter from S&W, it's almost impossible to say whether or not it was a service revolver. With that said, if the bore is clean and your revolver operates correctly, it should be a fun shooter.

 

[glowe]

Welcome! Revolver age identification of the K frame Military & Police of the era hinges on two characteristics. First, is the MADE IN USA stamp, which was started in 1922 and the mushroom shaped ejector rod knob which ended in 1927. As note above, the gun has been refinished, maybe chromed not nickel? It shows areas of pitting that has been plated over the pits and the ejector rod knob has had the knurling buffed off.

 

[DWalt]

The exact same two factors that led me to believe the plating was not original - the extractor rod knob and the appearance of pitting under the plating.

 

[JeffKnox]

Definitely replated. It's hard to tell in a picture, but it looks like chrome to me, not nickel.
Grandad used to be in the auto parts business and some of his buddies would "rescue" beat up guns for a little side cash or their own interest. Their results were generally a bit rough, as they weren't able to put the chrome on as thick as they were used to for car parts and they weren't so good at getting the raw metal as polished as a gun -- and thin plating -- deserve. Tolerances were a problem, especially for side plates and screw holes.
This picture is my mom and dad in about 1956. I'm sure the reason Dad had his hand in that awkward position over the action of the Krag, was because it was a chrome plated example Grandad had picked up somewhere, and it was reflecting too much for the camera.