Hey guys. My first inquiries with a couple 5-Screw HEs. Any info appreciated! Hopefully I handled the attachments correctly. Thought I had them rotated correctly before uploading... SN for blued revolver is 399161. Hoping for Model info, mfact date, value and any other info you'd care to offer! Thanks in advance!
Wiped off and Photographed.
- Thread starter JeffYo
- Start date
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Welcome to the Forum.
You have a .38 Military & Police revolver.
The nickel revolver is a .32 Regulation Police.
Both have been refinished; the RP has been back to S&W, according to the star next to the SN.
You have a .38 Military & Police revolver.
The nickel revolver is a .32 Regulation Police.
Both have been refinished; the RP has been back to S&W, according to the star next to the SN.
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DWalt
Member
Grip style on both is indicative of the 1920s. SN 394665 of the Regulation Police suggests it shipped around 1924. The .38 M&Ps SN 399161 (and other features) suggests that it shipped around early 1922. I have one virtually identical to yours and its SN is fairly close. The M&P has definitely been reblued at some time. Not so certain about the RP, but it seems to have been refinished also, possibly by S&W.
Tough to give values in today's disjointed market. I'd say at retail, around $350-400 each. Maybe a little more for the RP.
Tough to give values in today's disjointed market. I'd say at retail, around $350-400 each. Maybe a little more for the RP.
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Jeff,
Welcome from Central Texas.
Refinished as those two are, collector value comes down from original condition models of similar aesthetic appearance. Nonetheless, those two revolvers come from arguably the height of Smith & Wesson production.
I'd be proud to show those off!
Is there a family story that you can share or, are these auction finds, LGS acquisitions, or something else?
-Bill
Welcome from Central Texas.
Refinished as those two are, collector value comes down from original condition models of similar aesthetic appearance. Nonetheless, those two revolvers come from arguably the height of Smith & Wesson production.
I'd be proud to show those off!
Is there a family story that you can share or, are these auction finds, LGS acquisitions, or something else?
-Bill
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
With the star, there is a good chance of a re-work date stamped on the grip frame under the stocks.
Remove them and look for a three- or four-digit month-year stamp (like 11 53 for Nov. 1953).
OP
Refinished?
Hey all. Thanks for info! I'm learning! So exactly how do you know these have been refinished? I understand the "star" on the RP-makes sense. The M&P I had no idea it was refinished. Tell me more!
Hey all. Thanks for info! I'm learning! So exactly how do you know these have been refinished? I understand the "star" on the RP-makes sense. The M&P I had no idea it was refinished. Tell me more!
OP
My dad was an S&W enthusiast from the 70's and it's his collection. He passed awhile back. I remember many times when I'd come home from college, etc., and he'd say, "Shhh, come see what I found last week at the gun show!" Of course, mom was in another room... 
There are several "tells." Looking at the left side, there a pin between the top of the grip panel and the S&W logo. It should be domed, but has been polished flat. On the right side, there is a seam around the side plate. This seam is almost invisible on a factory finish. There is some slight dishing on one of the side plate screw holes. The polishing isn't as good as what the factory does.
DWalt
Member
After awhile you develop the ability to look for such features. It takes most collectors about a microsecond to spot a reblue job. There is nothing inherently wrong about a reblue, but it does affect the gun's value to a collector significantly.
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Look at the hammer and trigger on the M&P. Both appear to have been polished from what I see, and they should be case-colored. That was my first clue to look further.
But....since they came from your father's collection, those are priceless!
But....since they came from your father's collection, those are priceless!
