Help First Revolver Id Needed S And W

[GEORGE1960]

Hi I Just Pick Up A Smith And Wesson It Seams To Be Old The Number On The Bottom Of Grip Or Frame Is 551752.can Any Body Tell Me What Model It Is And How Old It My Be.and Is This A Good Model.this Would Be Great.this Is My First Time On This Forum.i Spend Most Of My Time On The Beretta Forum.but I Do Like My New Smith.it Is In Good Shape And Has A Good Feel In My Hand.thanks For Any Help .george

 

[Flatfender]

What caliber? (on the barrel)
Is there a prefix or suffix letter on the serial number?
Is there a "Mod" number on the crane? (Swing the cylinder out (if it does))
Blued - Nickle - Stainless Steel finish?
Could be a mid 1960's "J" frame, but we need more details. .38 special of some type i'm guessing

 

[GEORGE1960]

Wow.the Caliber Is 38 Special? It Is Blued .there Is A Pat. Date On Top Of Barrel That Is Feb.08 08 Sept 14 09 Dec. 29 14.and On The Side Said 38 S &w Special Ctg .THERE IS NO LETTER IN SERIAL NUMBER.ON THE CRANE IT LOOKS LIKE 201 BUT IT IS HARD TO SEE BUT THE FIRST NUMBER IS A 2. action? You Can Pull The Trigger And Fire Or Pull Back The Hammer Then Pull Trigger And Fire.as You Can Tell I Am New At This.thanks George.

 

[CMcDermott]

From the patent dates it sounds like a pre-WWII M&P K-frame. A picture would be great, does it have adjustable target sights, or just a groove along the top and a half-circle front sight? Can't really tell age as there isn't yet a good breakdown of year vs serial number for these guns, S&W never kept one. You can go to the smith&wesson forum and ask in the 1857-1945 forum for a guess from people who have lettered guns with serial numbers close to yours or send to S&W for a letter for your gun.

 

[GEORGE1960]

A picture would be great I WILL WORK ON THAT., does NOT have adjustable target sights, IT HAS a groove along the top and a half-circle front sight. THE BARREL IS JUST OVER 4 INCHES.THANKS GEORGE

 

[Flatfender]

Looks like it's a .38 M&P (Military & Police) Model of 1905. (4th change)

Made in (my guess) the real early 1930's
(Serial # range 241704-1000000 - 1915-1942) A lettered one from 1934 is #642357

Also called a "Pre-Model 10"

"K" Frame. "5 Screw" model. 4 on side plate (1 hidden under grip) and 1 on bottom of trigger frame.

Could be a service or target version depending on trigger, hammer and sights.

Came with either hard rubber or wood grips, Square or Round Butt. 2", 4", 5" or 6" barrels.

Target models generally do not have any frame markings except for the Serial #

The #201 on the crane is a manufacturing number.

All old S&W revolvers are sought after guns and depending on many factors, worth could be $200 - $800. (Square Butt frames are worth double of Round Butt frames for example)

 

[GEORGE1960]

there is 4 on side plate 1 in front of trigger and 1 on in bottom side of grip not a grip screw but in the frame.this is great info.thanks george