New to me .38 SPL Model of 1905 4th Change

[Rakkasan13F]

I won this last night through a local auction house's online auction.

It's a 5" .38 Special Model of 1905, 4th change, with what appears to be a factory two-tone finish. The serial numbers on the bottom of the grip, on the barrel flat, and the cylinder face all match (473396). The serial number falls in the 1915-1942 range, according to SCSW 4th edition. It's close to the center of the range, so I would guess it was built in the late 20's. I think it'll definitely be worth it to get a factory letter on this gun, if for nothing else but to find out for sure if it is or isn't a factory two-tone.

The grips are a set of Franzite faux stags.

Now, the tough part. I paid $442.50, out the door for it, including 15% buyer's premium and background check fee (TN charges to do them).

 

[Rakkasan13F]

More pictures

 

[reddog81]

Side plate seam would seem to indicate that it was polished pretty good at some point and then refinished. I wouldn't spend money on the letter.

 

[thadheth]

It is a bit difficult to tell from your photos, but the finish may be hard chrome, which was done frequently. The B on the barrel flat suggests that it was originally a blued gun.
Apparently, there were some K frame M&P’s that were chromed by the factory. They are quite rare, and if I remember correctly, the serial numbers were all in the 600,000’s.
Others will provide more information (and correct me if my recollections are inaccurate).

 

[Rakkasan13F]

Thanks for the info. This is the first pre-Model numbered S&W gun for me and I definitely have a lot to learn.

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum, Rak.

 

[DWalt]

Definitely from the mid-1920s, very probably aftermarket plated. As you have already paid a handsome price for a .38 M&P (it is not a Model of 1905) in shooter-grade condition, I couldn't advise compounding the situation by ordering a $100 letter. It very likely won't tell you much beyond the exact shipping date and how it was finished when it shipped. But it is your money if you really, really need to know.

 

[handejector]

Your pics show numerous small pits that are plated over, so it was definitely plated sometime after leaving the Factory.

 

[bruce5781]

Gun was originally blue

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[handejector]

Gun was originally blue

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Normally, that is definitive. However, IF this gun had been an original two-tone, the Factory MIGHT have pulled a blue gun from the vault and plated some parts to fill the order. We have seen other nickel guns that are marked with a B in that location that were apparently diverted from bluing or pulled from the vault and refinished in nickel to fill an order when they were not building the particular model that had been ordered.
I own a high condition 4 inch nickel 38 M&P that is obviously Factory nickel, but it is marked with a B in that location. It lettered as shipped in nickel. It has NO service marks.

 

[James K]

Personally, I think $440 out the door w/premium and DROS is reasonable even if it was plated over. Looks to be of plenty decent condition. Enjoy!

 

[Sevens]

Although MANY of these shipped very much in non-sequential order… without a factory letter but using my own database, I’m going to say the best guess is late spring to early summer 1924 on this serial number.

Should be a fine shooter! Make sure you get it out this next year and send some down range with a hundred year old revolver!

 

[Rakkasan13F]

Although MANY of these shipped very much in non-sequential order… without a factory letter but using my own database, I’m going to say the best guess is late spring to early summer 1924 on this serial number.

Should be a fine shooter! Make sure you get it out this next year and send some down range with a hundred year old revolver!

Oh, you can wager on it getting shot. Possibly before the end of the year.

It sounds like it wasn't exactly as I thought it might be, but I am still happy to have it in my collection. Maybe I overpaid a bit for it, but the next lower bid was just $10 less-so someone else was willing to pay pretty dang close to what I paid.

 

[AC Man]

I am not a expert on these old guns but I purchased a couple of premodel 10 circa 1926. No box or papers but the firearms appear unfired and in MINT condition all original one 4" and one 6" I think I paid around $600 each. I also have a 1903 that was reblued, but modern stocks and reblued $350. That worked for me.

 

[Muley Gil]

I am not a expert on these old guns but I purchased a couple of premodel 10 circa 1926. No box or papers but the firearms appear unfired and in MINT condition all original one 4" and one 6" I think I paid around $600 each. I also have a 1903 that was reblued, but modern stocks and reblued $350. That worked for me.

Glad you found some nice revolvers.

Most collectors consider the "pre Model 10" revolvers to be those built after WW II that have the newer short action.