No Model Number, Help!!!

[smitty65]

This SW .38 Special revolver was inherited and the back story is this belonged to a chief of police in a small town circa 1900.

The gun has no model identification with a 4 digit number (serial number?), on the bottom of the pistol frame below the grip. It is packed and not easily accessible at this moment or I would provide.

It looks just like a model 10, however this is believed to predate the Model 10.

Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[BMur]

Model 1899?

Could be an early Model 1899 38 Special. That's the variation that introduced the .38 special cartridge initially in a black powder load of I believe 19 grains of FFFG powder with the first variation of 158 grain RN bullet. Very historic variation since this model and frame was the beginning for this famous cartridge.
Got any photos? See my attached photo. Does it look like that?
I think the US Navy purchased about 1000
And also USMC I think in 1905 with checkered wood grips. Both variations are worth a lot now.

Murph

 

[glowe]

If your 1900 date is accurate, it can only be a 38 Hend Ejector First Model (Model 1899) which would have pre-dated a Model 10 by around 58 years. There were 20,975 of this model manufactured, from 1899 to 1902, and it can be identified by the absence of a under barrel lug that holds the ejector rod in place. The First Model simply had a knurled knob attached to the ejector rod, similar to old Colt revolvers.

 

[BMur]

Correction

My mistake,
Actually the orders were placed by the USN and US Army:

*The first was the U.S.Navy for 1000 guns in 1900 with U.S.N. markings on the butt and an Anchor with 6" barrel.

* The Second was placed by the U.S. Army in 1901 with the same configuration only marked on butt U.S. Army model 1899.

You mentioned the gun has a 4 digit serial number. It's possible that it is a Military issue revolver. Which would be very exciting since they are worth quite a bit more. If your date is accurate is more than possible it's probable.

Time to dig it out for a photo please.

Murph

 

[glowe]

Only the Navy Model serial numbers started tiwh "1", seperate from the standard Model 1899 which also started with "1". The Army examples ran from 13,001 to 14,000. The differed from standard Model 1899s by the butt stampings, Inspector marks, logos on walnut stocks, and a butt-swivel.

 

[smitty65]

Guys, thanks for the help. It turns out to be a 1948/9 M&P predesessor to the Model 10.

 

[Art Doc]

Yeah. The letter is part of the serial.

 

[murphydog]

For future posters looking for information - please read this post for needed ID information.

To IDENTIFY your Gun >