Help on .38 S&W Special around 1906

[carlosarzu]

Hello, I've inherited a S&W revolver from my grandfather's brother and I'm trying to find out when the gun was made ans its aprox value. It is a .38 S&W Special revolver. The serial number on the bottom of the grip is 139179. It is nickel-plated with a mother-of-pearl checkered grip, and has the half-moon sight. The other markings are on the barrel. It says ".38 S&W Special CTG" on the left side, for the ammo allowed, with the & roght-inclined. And on the top of the barrel are the last patent date is Feb.6,1906. It would be great to have any information on this gun and also the approximate value of the gun. Thanks a lot, Carlos.

 

[Lone Star]

You probably have a Military & Police Model. They were made from 1902-1915 in three minor internal variants as the action design was perfected. From 1915-the late 1940's, it was unchanged.

The last patent date does not tell when THIS gun was made.

Ask this on the Smith & Wesson forum, in the section for Revolvers, 1857-1945, or in The Lounge. A photo is VERY helpful, especially as there were many Spanish copies. www.smith-wessonforum.com. Note that the address uses a hypen, not an ampersand. The ampersand will get you the COMPANY's site, not the hobby board.

A photo will be VERY helpful, and price depends greatly on condition. If blued and in nice condition, maybe $300US. The Argentine price may be very different, although these guns sold well in South America.


Lone Star

 

[Jim K]

All the info being correct, the gun would be the .38 Hand Ejector Military and Police Model, 1905, Second Change, made in 1908-1909.

I recommend against shooting it at all, but any kind of +P or +P+ ammunition is definitely a no-no. Use standard velocity .38 Special ammo ONLY.

In near perfect condition, looking like it just came out of the factory, those can bring upwards of $1200. One in average condition will sell for $400-600, less if it is nickel-plated and the nickel is flaking, it has been refinished, or it is non-functional.

Jim

 

[carlosarzu]

Lone Star and Jim, thank you for your responses, I appreciate your knowledge on this. The gun is in a very good condition, and though it has been in use for a time, it hasn't shot a round for about 12 years. I keep it well greased and in shooting conditions, but preferred to remember when I used it with my grandfather and his brother rather than use it again, specially for what Jim says about ammo.
I'll post a photo of the gun as soon as I can.

 

[Lone Star]

Carlos-


I'm glad that we could help. That gun is a fine family heriloom.

What are Argentine gun laws like? And can you find many types of .38 Special ammunition there?

And do you ever fish for a species called "dorado" (not the dolphin) that has seasonal runs in big rivers like the Plata? I've read that they are an excellent sport fish and quite good to eat.

Lone Star

 

[Moonclip]

There is a guy name Raul on www.gunboards.com that is from Argentina that seems to own quite a few guns.

 

[carlosarzu]

Hello Lone Star

our gun laws are very restrictive. Any person might have a gun, but it must be thorougly registered in the national arms register (RENAR), you can't carry them unless you have a special permission, not easy to obtain. And if they are catalogued as war weapons (.32 onwards) there are more limitations.

If you like fishing, dorado is the utmost in this regions. It is a very big gold skinned river fish, the biggest around. It can weight more tha 30 Kg. You find it on the upper Parana and Uruguay rivers, not in the Plata. It is very tasty, not like the Surubi, wich is the best one to eat, but is a very nice dish.

 

[mec]

Supica and Nahas says that serial numbers 73251-146899 of the Hand Ejector M&P were made between 1906 and 1909