Why does this side plate look different?

[Conklin]

Hi so have this circa 1922 S&W .38 Special. Taking a look at these photos why is the right side plate different? Is this normal wear?Was it replaced? Should I leave it as is? Thanks for any thoughts and insight!

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

IMHO that side plate and the barrel look like replacement parts.

 

[gmborkovic]

Yea, but the screw heads and side plate seam are perfect.

 

[murphydog]

It appears the barrel and sideplate are pitted, perhaps someone took the bluing off trying to remove it. Agree it would be difficult to fit a replacement sideplate.

If you are capable of taking it off the gun, look for the same assembly number on the inside as the frame and yoke, which would confirm it was original to the gun.

 

[daddio202]

What you have there, is an old timey, self made
half- Pinto! Looks like somebody took a bit of time to get that bluing off. They turned it into a BBQ/shooter gun.

 

[handejector]

The gun rusted on the right side. The plate and the barrel had some very hard cleaning performed on them. Then, decades ago, they were touched up with cold blue. Cold blue often turns brown like that when it gets very old.


Edited to add:
Looking again, I see the barrel and frame also rusted on the left side. The gun was probably left in a holster for a lonnnnng time.

 

[Conklin]

The gun rusted on the right side. The plate and the barrel had some very hard cleaning performed on them. Then, decades ago, they were touched up with cold blue. Cold blue often turns brown like that when it gets very old.


Edited to add:
Looking again, I see the barrel and frame also rusted on the left side. The gun was probably left in a holster for a lonnnnng time.

Thanks for the replies. So essentially this is a classic example of a "beater?" Would you shoot it if it seems to function correctly?

 

[Conklin]

What you have there, is an old timey, self made
half- Pinto! Looks like somebody took a bit of time to get that bluing off. They turned it into a BBQ/shooter gun.

So it could be a nickel side plate that replaced a possibly badly corroded blued original?

 

[StrawHat]

The sideplates are swaged in place. That is why the seams are perfect. They are then ground and polished prior to bluing or plating. Replacing a side plate, getting the seam perfect and everything at the same height is not an easy task. That seam is very nice. I would happily bet it is original.

Kevin

 

[gmborkovic]

Kevin that is true. But the gun aint together yet or blued or nickeled.

 

[kraynky]

Thanks for the replies. So essentially this is a classic example of a "beater?" Would you shoot it if it seems to function correctly?

If the lock up is good and the timing is on par, I'd shoot the heck out of it! It appears to be a good shooter, but I can't say for sure without fondling it.

 

[Conklin]

If the lock up is good and the timing is on par, I'd shoot the heck out of it! It appears to be a good shooter, but I can't say for sure without fondling it.

Thanks, can anyone confirm the date of manufacture or should I put this in a new thread?

1-Hand ejector
2-no model number behind yoke
3-Serial number on butt 401935
4-.38 S&W Special CTC
5-Barrel length 4"
6-Hand ejector fixed sights

 

[glowe]

Thanks, can anyone confirm the date of manufacture or should I put this in a new thread?

3-Serial number on butt 401935 . . .

That serial number almost certainly shipped in the first half of 1922. MADE IN USA stamping ordered in May 1922 around serial number 405,000.

 

[Conklin]

That serial number almost certainly shipped in the first half of 1922. MADE IN USA stamping ordered in May 1922 around serial number 405,000.

Thank you so much!

 

[Conklin]

The gun rusted on the right side. The plate and the barrel had some very hard cleaning performed on them. Then, decades ago, they were touched up with cold blue. Cold blue often turns brown like that when it gets very old.


Edited to add:
Looking again, I see the barrel and frame also rusted on the left side. The gun was probably left in a holster for a lonnnnng time.

Man, the stories these things could tell....lost in the mists of time.

 

[bigmtnman]

If it were mine, I probably could not resist having at that side plate with some Brownell's OXPHO-BLUE.

 

[Conklin]

If it were mine, I probably could not resist having at that side plate with some Brownell's OXPHO-BLUE.

I will give it a try!