Pre War K frame

[pmhayden]

A friend purchased this pre war K frame revolver. The bluing is original and relatively clean. He asked me for an opinion as to value. It is not for sale. But any information as to year of production and value would be appreciated. I know this is not a rare revolver but to stumble on a like-new revolver of this age is kind of nice. SN 2809xx

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Well, can you post a picture of the left side of the grip frame without the grips? The magna grips are not original. It likely shipped in 1917/18 since it has no trademark stamp. Original grips should be round top, gold medallion, checkered walnut service panels. I'd put it in the $400-500 range.

 

[pmhayden]

I will see if I can access the pistol for another photograph. It may be a few days. But I see what you mean about the grips, if it’s that old.

 

[SS336]

The stocks should look like this.

 

[Muley Gil]

Is it just me or does this revolver seem to show a bit more grain to the metal? All of the other "tells" are good, such as the fit of the side plate and rounded, not flattened stud ends.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

I want to see the rebound slide stud. I do see what appears to be polishing striations but can't tell if it is surface oil or metal irregularities. Also want to eliminate service work.

 

[DWalt]

Certainly a WWI-era M&P for the reasons previously stated. Grips are much more recent. Nothing in the pictures strikes me as being suspicious aside from the grips. High condition period correct replacement grips would not come cheap, and that will affect market value. As-is, $400-500 would be reasonable

 

[pmhayden]

I have refinished and reblued firearms. This revolver has not been reblued. However it has a slight, faint grain in the finish - not a glossy polish. I would call it a uniform light satin finish. It is extremely uniform in surface prep. Better than ANY gunsmith job I have ever seen. My thought was that it was originally sold as part of a large lot government purchase. Yes, it has oil on it.

 

[Elroy]

A friend purchased this pre war K frame revolver. The bluing is original and relatively clean.

This revolver has not been reblued.

I beg to differ. Your jpeg image 1909 above clearly shows the front of the mushroom ejector blue.
Original blue guns have this surface in the white as shown below. There is a near zero chance, your friends example is original blue.

 

[Elroy]

Also note the spring plunger on your example is BLUE. That's not correct.

 

[pmhayden]

Pictures without grips.

 

[pmhayden]

“I beg to differ. Your jpeg image 1909 above clearly shows the front of the mushroom ejector blue.
Original blue guns have this surface in the white as shown below. There is a near zero chance, your friends example is original blue.”

I cannot argue with your points. But if it was reblued, that raises other questions. The lettering and screw holes show no wear, and the finish is uniform throughout the pistol. All edges are sharp. The normal imperfections usually found in a prep and reblue are absent. Whomever reblued this was skilled and took a lot of care. More than any local shop. And the purchase price was not inflated, but was in line with the previous estimate of value. Timing is good, and the pistol is mechanically excellent. So I wonder why someone would go to the trouble of doing such a good refinished job - I wonder if it was sent back to the factory.

 

[pmhayden]

Numbers if you can see them. I apologize for the lousy cell phone pictures.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Definitely refinished. It was a good job, though. The telltales are the blued ejector rod knob face as Elroy points out and the polishing down of the rebound slide stud. Before WWII, the stud and other pins were proud of the frame.



There is no indication on the side of the grip frame that it went back to S&W for the refinish. They typically did not polished down the stud. Still, it is a good looking gun!

 

[glowe]

You might have a refinished gun, but a great job! Very nice condition and totally proper for a 1917 ship date. The mushroom knob and ejector rod were made as one piece in 1909 and the knob was blued. The other studs are perfectly domed, the finish looks proper, the stampings are clean and sharp, and all edges are crisp. Elroy's gun has had the top section of the knob cleaned and polished white with the base still blue. Original pre-1909 guns had separate case colored knobs that were satin grey or colored with the case hardening process used.

I have a target version of your era gun, 281785 that shipped in August 1917 (below).


#281785

#62200