Need help with info on my new "Old S & W"

[bedbugbilly]

I recently purchased an older S & W - never had one and I wanted the "S & W experience". I've tried to study up on them but am still learning. I'm attaching some photos of the pistol I purchased and am looking for any info I can get such as date of mfg., just what model it is, are grips correct, etc.

6 shot - 6" barrel - 38 S & W special cartridge (38 spl)
"Made in U.S.A." on right side of frame under cylinder cutout
Serial No. 5334XX on bottom of grip frame
Barrel marked on top: "Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass USA
Pantented Feb. 8, 06 Sept. 14, 09 Dec. 29, 14" - Smith & Wesson on left side of barrel - 38 S & W Special Ctg. on right side of barrel
Smith & Wesson Trade Mark logo on left side of frame

The pistol shows some honest wearing to the blue along the sides of the end of the barrel as well as light wsear to the high points of he cylinder, et. Overall, it is in good shape - locks up tight and action is nice and crisp - bore is excellent with heavy rifling. I have a Colt Army Special made in 1910 in 38 spl. that is a nice shooter and I like it a lot - BUT - never having had a S & W, I have to tell you that I love the feel of this revolver and I have a feeling it will be a good shooter for target practice which is what I primarily shoot. In looking, I'm questioning if this is a "target model"? Is it classified as a "M & P"? I'm going to leave her just as she is regardless if the grips are correct or not. I am VERY pleased with it and glad that I bought it. I paid $350 for it and felt that it was reasonable - at least I was happy which is all that counts - in the long run, did I pay too much?

Any help and information on this pistol would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks!

 

[s&wchad]

VERY nice prewar (WWII) .38 M&P target. Nice price too, you should be happy!

 

[bedbugbilly]

A couple more photos . . . thanks for any help & info!

 

[Art Doc]

Serial is from mid to late 1920s and it does appear to be a Target Model M&P. At $350 you stole it.

 

[DCWilson]

Go back and give the seller another $200; you'll still have made a good deal.

Collectors would call that gun a .38 Hand Ejector Model of 1905, Fourth change. The box it came in would have had a label that said .38 Military & Police as well as a note that it was a target model. For short you can call it a target 1905/Fourth. S&W made about 750,000 1905/Fourths between 1915 and 1942 (including several thousand chambered in .38/200 for Commonwealth consumption); maybe 5% of them (really wild guess, so don't hold me to it) had adjustable sights.

If you take off the stocks you should see a number on the inside right panel. If it matches the frame's serial number, the stocks are about as correct as they can get; they were fitted to that gun at the factory before shipping.

Excellent score. Congratulations.

LATER ADD: I'm guilty of posting during a state of caffeine deficiency. The medallions on your stocks indicate a production date before 1920. Based on the 533xxx serial number, the frame is from 1926 or thereabouts. The original stocks for that revolver would have had the same shape, but would not have had medallions.

 

[Iggy]

How come we don't have a green "jealousy" icon?

You have a great gun and a greater price. Take care of it and enjoy it.

 

[ar15ed]

that was a great price! these old smiths are really addictive. they are works of art. the fact that it is a "target" is just icing on the cake!

welcome to the forum!!!

 

[bedbugbilly]

Thank you all very much for your help and information - it is sure appreciated greatly!

I pulled the grips as suggested (something I should have done beforee posting!) but there are no markings at all on the inside. They obviously are old and have been on this revolver a long time. There are no marks or signs of any -either scratched in or pencil, etc.

I'll do a search and figure out what has to be done to get a factory letter on this one as I'm curious about the shipping date, etc. I'm tickled that I was able to get this one - especially for my "first" S & W in the "herd". I have a feeling it is going to be a "favorite" and a hoot to shoot! Thanks again everyone!