how old is my s&w 38

[nubbin]

I recently got a s&w 38 special revolver, it has mother of pearl handles, fixed sights, 5" barrel, us service ctg. on barrel.
last pat # on barrel is july '03

serial # is 1028xx on bottom of butt.

it has maltese cross on either end of pat. # list

any help is appriciated

 

[Old Fuff]

According to the serial number it's a .38 1905 Hand Ejector/Military & Police model; 1st change.

These were made between 1906 and 1908, within a serial number range running from 73,251 to around 120,000. Six-shot/.38 Special or .38 Long Colt (U.S. service cartridge). Standard barrel lengths were 4, 5, 6 and 6 1/2 inches. Standard finishes were blue or nickel plate with color case hardened hammer and trigger. Round butt with black hard-rubber stocks or square butt with checkered walnut stocks. Mother-of-pearl was an extra cost option.

One problem: The last patent date on the barrel should be Feb 6, 1906. If it is truly a 1903 date I suspect it may be a European-made fake. A picture would help make a positive identification.

 

[rswartsell]

Fluff,

I'm jumping someone else's thread here (pardon please). But I think I just posted pics of one of these under the revolver forum.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=394761

Here's mine

 

[Cap'n Dan]

Also bought a 38 sw airweight for my wife, used but appeared to be in excellent cond. No rust, scratches etc. My question is how do you know if it will digest + P or come appart in her hand? Any info appreciated

 

[Old Fuff]

rswartsell:

The serial number on your gun should be stamped on the bottom of the frame (now covered by the stocks), the rear face of the cylnder, and on the bottom of the barrel, above the ejector rod. Swing out the cylinder to see it. Without that serial number I can't say much.

But it is my impression that it is of much later production, it is without doubt a target version with a S&W adjustable rear sight - plus some other aftermarket custom features, and the stocks were likely made by a famous maker - and may now be worth almost as much as the revolver itself.

 

[rswartsell]

Thank you Fluff. I will post the SN when I get a chance.

 

[nubbin]

Fake ????????

FAKE what kind of fake???

 

[nubbin]

Here is a pic hope this helps if you need more info just ask, and again thank you very much for the reply

 

[nubbin]

someone told me the mother of pearl grips ment it was a naval officers gun
truth or rummor?

 

[SaxonPig]

That's a new one.

Pearl was likely available as an option but most are added later by owners. No specific connection between pearl grips and military contracts.

 

[Old Fuff]

nubbin:

When we work with nothing but a description, and an incomplete one at that, one has to be very careful. In your case you stated that your revolver had a last patent date stamped on the barrel that ended in "03."

When the serial number you posted was checked against the records, and then against the correct patent dates, it was discovered that on what this particular revolver was supposed to be there was no patent date ending in "03."

I could conclude that (1) you had made a mistake in reading the patent dates, or (2) the revolver was one of many fake copies of S&W revolvers made in Europe - most likely Spain. With no way to reach a positive conclusion I posted a warning.

Subsequently you posted a picture, and at this point it appears that the revolver is a genuine Smith & Wesson, and because of certain style points I believe the pearl stocks are original to the gun. But the only way to confrm this would be a letter from S&W after they checked their records. If you CAREFULLY remove the stocks you may find the gun's serial number marked on the underside of one or both grips. Factory stocks were individually fitted to each individual frame, and numbered to that the frame. then they would be matched back together later during the manufacturing process.

It is not impossible that a Navy officer purchased a peral-handled revolver, but I think it isn't likely. The Navy did over the years, buy S&W .38 revolvers, but not with pearl stocks, and Navy markings were stamped on the butt and other places.

 

[nubbin]

thank you for the info.

I do have a few more questions though.

what is the age of this pistol? ( what year? )

also, what would be aproximate value of this pistol?

is it a shooter or one to put up?

 

[blinc1028]

HELP - need info on 38 special s&w

I am looking for some info about a 38 special smith & wesson
It has 3 patent dates: Feb 6 06 Sept 14 08 Dec 29 14

serial number 545xxx

My gun looks just like the one posted...we are trying to figure out the age of the gun as well as the value....

 

[Old Fuff]

nubbin:

thank you for the info. I do have a few more questions though.
What is the age of this pistol? ( what year? ). also, what would be aproximate value of this pistol? Is it a shooter or one to put up?

Most of what you wanted to know was in post #2, which said:

According to the serial number it's a .38 1905 Hand Ejector/Military & Police model; 1st change.

These were made between 1906 and 1908, within a serial number range running from 73,251 to around 120,000. Six-shot/.38 Special or .38 Long Colt (U.S. service cartridge). Standard barrel lengths were 4, 5, 6 and 6 1/2 inches. Standard finishes were blue or nickel plate with color case hardened hammer and trigger. Round butt with black hard-rubber stocks or square butt with checkered walnut stocks. Mother-of-pearl was an extra cost option.

But we got sidetracked, and more posts came in asking for information about different guns. Somehow you got lost in the crowd.

But anyway, the value depends on its condition, and I have no way to examine the gun. I would say that it has a approximate value of between $200 and $300 - possible more if it was sold at auction. Auction prices sometimes go out of sight. As for shooting it - it is at least 100 years old. You can shoot it with light .38 Special and .38 Long Colt cartridges. Both are available because they are used by Cowboy Action Shooters in competitions, but they are expensive. That said, I would consider retiring it, or sell it to a collector and buy a more modern shooter.

 

[Old Fuff]

blinc1028

I am looking for some info about a 38 special smith & Wesson
It has 3 patent dates: Feb 6 06 Sept 14 08 Dec 29 14. Serial number 545xxx.

You apparently have a Smith & Wesson .38 Military & Police, also known as the .38 1905 Hand Ejector, 4th Change. The best I can do is give you an approximate date of manufacture, which would be around the late 1920’s. I can’t help you much as to what the value is without being able to examine it because value is determined by what the condition is. On average I’d say between $200 to $300, but it could be more or less.