S&W 1902 revolver

[Docneeley]

This is the first 1902 that's come into my shop. It looks all correct and locks up tight with a very good bore. I think it's a first change with the square butt.

 

[DWalt]

There were a very few "square butt" M1902s made in 1904, but for the most part, all with square butts were made in 1905 or later, and called the Model 1905. What is the SN? Square butt M1905s started about SN 58000.

 

[mikepriwer]

For the record, for the Nth time, there are no 1902's with a square butt. In the k-frame
series, anything with a round butt is a Model of 1902. Anything with a square butt is
a Model of 1905. If you don't believe this, read the catalogs carefully.

All of this confusion comes from the fact that the Model of 1905 was introduced at
serial number 58000, well before the 5th frame screw at serial number 62450.

What this does mean is the the Model of 1905 is identical to the Model of 1902 1st change. This is the source of the problem. The two otherwise-identical models are
now out of sync, by one engineering change.

What this does not mean is that the Model of 1902 goes away. It does not. The round-butt model co-exists with the square butt model for many decades, and in fact, its the square-butt model that went away about 10 years ago, or so.

Regards, Mike Priwer

 

[DCWilson]

Because of the position of the trigger return spring stud on the left side of the frame, that gun would have to be at least a 1905 first change and date to 1906 or later. The trigger rebound slide with the internal coil spring was not seen before 1906. Serial numbering for the 1905/first is reported to have begun at 73251.

Nice early M&P. Those are both historic revolvers and comfortable shooters.