Found an oldie today.

[AZAndy]

I don't know what this was doing at a local gun shop, but there it was. M&P Model of 1905, Fourth Change. Nice tight lockup, shiny bore with sharp rifling. There's some finish wear at the muzzle and the high spots at the front of the cylinder, but it doesn't appear to have been shot a whole lot (judging by the rifling and the lack of wear on the recoil plate). The serial numbers on this model started at 241704 in 1915, and this one is 288430, so I'm guessing it's pre-1920(?). The grips aren't original-- they're numbered, but not to this gun, and the medallion is the wrong color, but what the hey. They're pretty close to what they should be, so I'll settle for that.

I'm really tickled, as my grandmother used to say, and look forward to a range trip with it tomorrow. The trigger is really nice. Since it's a mere .38, I don't think I'll need a grip adapter, but we'll see. I shot my Dad's .45 1917 earlier this year, and that one seriously needs an adapter.

If I keep going with this sort of thing, I'm going to wind up a collector. Somebody talk me down!

 

[Sistema1927]

Talk you down? You realize that we are all enablers here, don't you?

Even though it is a "mere .38" an adapter will improve your grip.

What did you have to pay for that beauty?

 

[AZAndy]

Talk you down? You realize that we are all enablers here, don't you?

Even though it is a "mere .38" an adapter will improve your grip.

What did you have to pay for that beauty?

The shape of the frame is such that my middle-finger knuckle is back about 3/16ths of an inch from the trigger guard, so I might be able to shoot it without injury. I'll know more tomorrow.

It was 580, which was probably too much. The Standard Catalog says 600 for excellent condition, which this isn't, finish-wise and original-stock-wise, but I'm giving it extra points for the tight action and good rifling.

 

[Sistema1927]

I have found the Standard Catalog suggestions to sometimes be high, other times to be low. Pricing is pretty much dependent upon your local market. I think that you would be hard pressed to find that revolver, in that condition, for under six bills in most places.

 

[AZAndy]

I have found the Standard Catalog suggestions to sometimes be high, other times to be low. Pricing is pretty much dependent upon your local market. I think that you would be hard pressed to find that revolver, in that condition, for under six bills in most places.

J&G has a model 14 in Very Good Plus for $880, so older stuff does seem to command a price hereabouts.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Was at the largest local gun show today saw a guy asking $1800 for a 4" mod.28 Highway Patrolman with aftermarket nickel.....so, haha, I'd MUCH rather your gun for $580, lol.
Of course, most of the Colts were waaaay overpriced too. I was a little tempted by a minty 2.5" Lawman for $600, but it was a mk3 and Im wary of their fragile triggers. It was hard but I passed.

 

[Tallball]

Nice find!

 

[Walkalong]

Talk you down? You realize that we are all enablers here, don't you?

Yep, no chance.

Very nice pickup.

 

[Dave T]

Andy, post that on the Smith & Wesson Forum. They'll get all excited over there. (smile)

Dave

 

[drk1]

Congratulations, and thank you for sharing!

 

[If1HitU]

Wow what a beauty she is,congrats. I never see nothing in my local LGS that look that beautiful used.

 

[Twiki357]

Nice find. Those oldies don’t hit the local gun shops very often.

 

[AZAndy]

Andy, post that on the Smith & Wesson Forum. They'll get all excited over there. (smile)

Dave

Oh, I did. I learned that the grips are from the 30s. Why, that's practically modern! I'll have to do something about that.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Given that the SCSW does not break down serial numbers for the 38 M&P 4th change beyond the broad range of 1915 through 1942 it can be a little bit tough to pin down the date a particular revolver was made. Also, bear in mind that all the information Roy Jinks, the official S&W historian, has on file relates to ship dates, not manufacturing dates. Sometimes guns sat in inventory for a while, they did not always ship according to serial numbers.

Anyway.

This 38 M&P Target Model, SN 2646XX, shipped in 1917. Notice your revolver has the same large, mushroom shaped cap on the end of the ejector rod. I do not know exactly when S&W stopped using that type of cap, but it is a fairly good indicator of age, I am going to guess it was used through the 1920s. This revolver is wearing the correct grips (yeah, I always say grips) with recessed gold medallions that were used about 1910 to about 1920. The grips on your revolver with the flush silver medallions were used about 1929 to about 1941.






This well worn old M&P shipped in 1920. The SN is 3394XX. The very worn walnut round top grips are the type used from about 1920 until 1929 and they are lettered to the gun. Notice it too has the large, mushroom shaped ejector rod cap.






Frankly, the grips on your gun are in such nice shape, if it were mine I would just leave them on it. If I wanted to find a set of the correct grips I would probably place a post in the Want to Buy section of the Smith and Wesson forum. You could also mention it in the post you put in the regular area of the forum. You never know, once a guy sent me some grips for a Victory Model free of charge.

Regarding shooting it without hurting your finger, thousands of officers carried these for many, many years without grip adapters. I don't have grip adapters on any of mine and I shoot them with standard loads all the time. Never get my finger whacked. If you want a grip adapter that is up to you, but I like to keep my old revolvers stock, which means no grip adapters.

Just so you know, S&W began heat treating cylinders for the 4th Change around SN 316648, so no +P loads. Mild factory loads only.


By the way, nice find. I would probably have shelled out $580 for it if it's as nice as it looks in your photo.

Welcome to the S&W Collector addiction.

 

[AZAndy]

Howdy

Given that the SCSW does not break down serial numbers for the 38 M&P 4th change beyond the broad range of 1915 through 1942 it can be a little bit tough to pin down the date a particular revolver was made. Also, bear in mind that all the information Roy Jinks, the official S&W historian, has on file relates to ship dates, not manufacturing dates. Sometimes guns sat in inventory for a while, they did not always ship according to serial numbers....

I was kind of hoping you might stop by. Thanks for the information, and, as always, the excellent photographs.

 

[bannockburn]

AzAndy

Terrific find! Maybe a little pricey but as one is prone to hear these days: "They don't make them like that anymore!". Well worth it in my book. Let us know how it does at the range.

 

[Speedo66]

Re: the price. How often does one see these things in person and are able to survey it like you did to establish condition? I think if it's something you like, get a chance to hold it and take a good look at it, then I'd be willing to pay a little more if necessary.

Regardless of an "established" price, I think you did well to find such a nice example locally.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy Again

I will chime in one more time on this one.

I attend a fair amount of auctions. I get to handle lots of old Smiths. Lots. Sometimes I find one in the apparent good condition seen in the photo above. How much it actually goes for is dependent on lots of things, who is attending the auction, how deep the pockets are of the online bidders, and the phase of the moon. Sometimes they go for $500. Sometimes not. If I came across that one at auction, and if my safe was not already overflowing with K frame Smiths, I would gladly pay $580 for it.

 

[jmace57]

It's a nice one...and these models are a particular weakness of mine. The stocks, and the case colors on the hammer and trigger are awesome. 1930s vintage on the stocks by the way. I love the 6" barrel too.