help me with a S&W special ctg

[nachobmbm]

Hello, my grandfather gives me an older revolver S&W .38 special ctg. Im from argentina so i cant go to S&W company to ask for information. I want to now,if someone can help my, how old it was, the model, or a small history of that gun. The father of a friend gives me 300 usd for the gun, and i dont now if the revolver is good, bad, too old.
The gun have in the barrel: Smith & wesson springfield mass u.s.a, PAT`D march 27. 94 and a lot of dates, it finish in SEP.14.09. in the left S&W .38 special ctg, at the right of the gun the symbol, trade mark.......down the gun a number: 161991, inside the revolver another number, 11084 and also inside, 161991. the grips are of mother pearl......the revolver works fine and its in excelente condition.......If someone can help me i will be very happy........thanks, and waiting for some answer............

 

[RioShooter]

S & W Forum

For extensive S & W knowledge try this site:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/

 

[nachobmbm]

ok, thank u but i cant register in the site because i have a hotmail account of mail........thank you for your help

 

[Old Fuff]

nachobmbm:

Welcome to the High Road... I am glad that you have joined us.

A picture would be helpful, but from your description I believe you have a Smith & Wesson .38 1905 Hand Ejector / 3rd. Change. This revolver was also known as the Military & Police Model.

The patent dates you listed and the serial number (on the bottom of the butt) would be correct for this model revolver.

It was made sometime between 1909 (No. 146,900) and 1915 (No. 241703).

If it is in good condition there is no reason you shouldn't be able to shoot it. However be sure to use regular .38 Special cartridges, and not those made to higher pressure standards (+P).

Smith & Wesson exported many of these to Mexico, Central America, and South America.

If you want additional information, write a letter to Mr. Roy Jinks, who is the company's historian. The address would be:

Smith & Wesson, Inc.
P.O. Box 2208
Springfield, MA. 01102 USA
Attn: Mr. Roy Jinks.

If you will send Mr. Jinks a small photograph of the revolver, along with the information in your post, and this one; Plus a check in the amount of $30.00(US) he will send you a letter from the factory with the exact details concerning your gun, including when it was made and to what distributor it was shipped.

 

[thatguy]

Does it look a little like one of these?

 

[nachobmbm]

Thank you very much for the information old fuff.....i will write a letter to that sir. Thanks. The revolver is very similar to the first, the ones who is at the top. Thanks for helping me.......I read in a web that arent good for shooting because they are too old.....its my first revolver and im learning shooting in the club and the teacher told me that this revolver isnt good to start....mybe i will buy another much modern.......bye and many thanks

 

[beaucoup ammo]

Nachobmbm. In Argentina

I did a little research...so I'll post it. It confirms Old Fluff's excellent work.

From what I can determine, you have a S&W .39 Special / M&P model 1905 / Third Change / Manufactured between 1909 - 1915.

Take Care

 

[beaucoup ammo]

Correction For Previous Post

Of course that should read .38 !

 

[Old Fuff]

nachobmbm:

Speaking from knowledge gained over 50 years of experience, I will say that what you read on the Internet is wrong. I will also respectfully disagree with your instructor – up to a point.

Older guns, such as you have, are not unsafe to use as long as they are in good condition and the ammunition that is fired is of the same general kind and power as that used when the gun was made. I regularly fire revolvers similar to the one you have, some of which are even older. Because in those days skilled hand labor was available and inexpensive, such revolvers were much better fitted then those made today. They are often more accurate too.

I agree that some current models may be better to learn on, and the best are probably chambered to use .22 cartridges, which are relatively inexpensive compared to .38 Special’s. However as you learn, you will find that your grandfather’s older gun is very enjoyable to shoot, and that its quality exceeds anything that’s newer which you might be able to buy.