Pinkerton Guard Revolver

[Saa62]

Hi Everyone

Another newbie here seeking information.

As I have seen in many other threads, I too have inherited a family heirloom from my grandfather. He was a Pinkerton Security guard in Indianapolis for many years and this was his service revolver. I would call it fair to good condition, but it has seen quite a bit of holster time since I think it was a daily use weapon. Holster, I believe could be the original.

Specs: 38 S & W Special CTG Left side of barrel
Serial Number: 187654 No letter visible
Springfield Mass and several patent numbers top of barrel
Inside chamber hinge appears to be 336-9
Trade Mark on the RH side
4 screws
I believe it would be a 5" barrel

I have the typical questions: Would you shoot it? Age? Value?

Would be interested in getting the factory background sheet if I knew it was of some value.

 

[Art Doc]

I think it's a Military & Police Model of 1905 (3rd Change) from around 1911-12. But don't hold me to it. If tight I would shoot it with standard velocity ammo. Value is more as an heirloom than as a revolver. Maybe $200-$300 (but I am terrible at guessing values). Barrel looks 4" to me. No agency markings?

 

[Texas Star]

It's def. a four-inch barrel. Measure from the front of the cylinder to the muzzle; part of the barrel is in that frame.


It may well have been privately owned. Most guard companies don't furnish guns except on some large contracts that require armed guards. But Pinkerton and Wackenhut have had such contracts, so who knows?

I worked briefly for one such company many years ago at a TV station and newspaper building and they issued nickeled Model 10's with five-inch barrels. Ammo was junk reloads.

 

[dscampbell]

I worked for both Pinkerton and Burns in the early 1970's ,San Francisco/Oakland areas, before I joined the Sheriff's department. Both company's supplied 4" revolvers either S&W .38 special or Colts .38 new police ( same as .38 S&W) Personal weapons were not authorized. Neither company marked their revolvers with company name.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk 2

 

[DWalt]

The SN (187654) would indicate it probably shipped in 1913. As it has a square butt, it would indeed be a .38 Hand Ejector, Model of 1905, third change, revolver. Assuming it is solid and the cylinder locks up properly, it should be safe to shoot, but most would recommend using only factory standard .38 Special loads with lead bullets. It looks to be in good condition with correct grips. It might bring $400 or so in a private sale as a typical revolver of this period.

Monetarily it does not have great value, as these are more common than you might expect - many were made, and many have survived in good to very good condition from that era. Normally, a factory letter would not be expected to provide more information than already related. However, if it could be established as having been shipped directly to the Pinkerton Detective Agency, that would certainly add to its monetary value. Were it mine, I would probably letter it ($50) just to see where it might have been sent by the factory. Usually, but not always, it would be to some S&W distributor. In any event, I cannot imagine that you would want to sell it.

 

[Saa62]

Thank you to everyone for the quick replies.

Everything feels good on it, except for the firing pin that has a little bit of movement. It looks like it is meant to be replaced, so I could understand it having moving some.

I could not see any agency markings, only what I described.

The barrel is 4". Blame that error on the extra glass of wine last night.

At this time, I have no intentions selling. I have a son that is waiting patiently for me kick off so he can have it. Just wanted an idea of if it extremely valuable or one of many available.

I will give it a good cleaning and see what it can do.

Thanks again to everyone.

 

[DWalt]

A little wiggle in the firing pin is intentional and necessary. It's designed that way.

Having what I assume is the original period holster is a plus. Many gun collectors are also nuts over old holsters, and that looks like a nice one. Does it have any stampings or markings on it?

 

[tlay]

You have a great looking family heirloom! Keep it in the family and never sell it. You can clean it with a product called Flitz metal polish. Use a soft cloth and use very little pressure because it is abrasive. Then use a good wax such as any car wax on the outside. A lot of us use a product called Renaissance Wax. It works great and you can use it on the grips too. If you don't like the original grips take them and store them away. Don't get rid of them. Use a semi-wadcutter or full wadcutter target bullet for practice. Any lead bullet will be o.k. Have fun shooting it and save it for your son.

 

[Saa62]

Gave the gun a good cleaning. Really did not pull much from it. Went ahead and fired a few rounds. It was a lot of fun even though I did not hit much. Have not quite figured out the sight alignment yet.

The holster itself has no markings but there is a turn buckle riveted to it and has "Service MFG Co", "15" and "38-4"

Found a little history. Grandpa was only a Pinkerton guard for 20 some years and retired somewhere around the mid 70's at the age of 87. But he was and auxiliary police officer in Indianapolis for an unknown amount of time before that. So possibly obtained the gun then. So it is possible he was the sole owner. I have more digging to do.

Thanks again for everyone's help. It is kind fun to tell my friends I have a functioning 100 year old gun.

 

[DWalt]

Good story. Someone here may know something about the Service MFG Co. the "38-4" probably means a .38 revolver with a 4" barrel. It would probably fit either Colt or S&W revolvers. The Colt Official Police and Army Special revolvers are about the same size as the S&W M&P.