S&W .38 - What model is this?
- Thread starter ST 1100
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Picture? Open the cylinder and look where the crane articulates with the frame. There should be a number or model designation visible.
Welcome to THR.
Welcome to THR.
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Pistol Toter
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With the information given: Sounds like a .38 Military & Police Model 1905 2nd change. Produced between 1906 and 1909. You won't find a model number in the yoke cut, that didn't happen until 1957. Your gun was 50 years old when that started. If your going to fire it do not use anything but standard velocity .38 S&W specials. NO +P's
If that number nine is not real then you could have a .38 Military & Police 1st Model also refered to as the Model 1899 Army-Navy Revolver. They were made from 1899 to 1902. That conflicts with the last patent date on your gun.
The serial number should appear on the bottom of the grip frame, the bottom of the barrel where it's flat, the back of the cylinder, perhaps on the yoke either where it can be seen when the cylinder is open or perhaps look through the charge holes and it will be on that part of the yoke and pehaps on the back side of the extractor star and finally look on the inside of the right stock panel where it will be either stamped, in pencil or greese pencil.
Yes a picture/s would be nice as well as anything else you can tell us about the ole girl.
If that number nine is not real then you could have a .38 Military & Police 1st Model also refered to as the Model 1899 Army-Navy Revolver. They were made from 1899 to 1902. That conflicts with the last patent date on your gun.
The serial number should appear on the bottom of the grip frame, the bottom of the barrel where it's flat, the back of the cylinder, perhaps on the yoke either where it can be seen when the cylinder is open or perhaps look through the charge holes and it will be on that part of the yoke and pehaps on the back side of the extractor star and finally look on the inside of the right stock panel where it will be either stamped, in pencil or greese pencil.
Yes a picture/s would be nice as well as anything else you can tell us about the ole girl.
The s/n is listed at least on the grip frame, back of cylinder, star and bottom of the barrel flat. The nine looks a bit strange to me in all locations, however, I do think it is part of the s/n. I have some decent pix and will try to include them. If they're not with this reply, please give me a hint as how to 'attach' them. Thanks
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Pistol Toter
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That is a "9". According to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson the serial number coinsides with the .38 M&P Model 1905 2nd change which were produce in the years 1906 to 1909 in a serial number range 73251 - 146899. There was some overlapping with the 1st change guns also made in the same same years so it could be, a 1st change. The differences are minor and internal. If there are two dowel pins in the rear of the cylinder which facilitates extractor star line up, it is most likely a 2nd change, but with those old guns it's hard to tell as S&W would use up parts and one assembler may have pieces that another did not. That's what makes this so much fun sometimes. The gun looks to have had a nickel finish. You got some good pictures. I hope I look that good when I'm that age. Nice ole gun ST.
Regards P.T.
Regards P.T.
OH - There is only the center dowel in the center of the cylinder. The star extractor is aligned by a grove on the the outside of the sleeve which slips over the dowel and a 'stud' on the inside of the cylinder bore. Hope you get what I am trying to say here
Pistol Toter
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OK, I understand; so what your are saying is that there are no little pin/s protruding from the rear of the cylinder under the the extractor that mate two holes that are in the spokes of the extractor 180 deg from each other or possibly one pin. If that be the case, there is good chance that is a 1st change gun. Or the pins have been broken or lost. Understand I am not positive of this but that is indicated in the SCSW. Ain't this fun!!
Bring the other one on. I'm not here very often but somebody will catch ya.
Bring the other one on. I'm not here very often but somebody will catch ya.
Hello, one of my aunts has a Smith and Wesson .38 revolver with the letters OTG, or it may be CTG, as I have discovered from searching various gun sites. It has a thumb break on top, opens forward and has serial number 540637 on the bottom of the hand grip (butt). She is wondering what the value may be. Thanks!
Pistol Toter
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ST,
That is a .38 S&W which is NOT THE SAME as a .38 S&W Spl.; two different animals. The .38 S&W has a larger diamenter but shorter case. Now, what you have is a ".38 Safety Hammerless 4th Model" also known as a "Safety" or a "New Departure" or a Lemon Squeezer. There were about 104,000 produced between the years of 1898 and 1907 with serial numbers 116003 to 220000. That is a "top break action". That gun was made to fire a black powder cartridge. I would not attempt to load it with the new powders. If it were mine, I wouldn't fire it at all and it needs to be checked out by a qualified gunsmith. Another nice old gun, a piece of history. Looks kinda rough but might clean up. Regards P.T.
That is a .38 S&W which is NOT THE SAME as a .38 S&W Spl.; two different animals. The .38 S&W has a larger diamenter but shorter case. Now, what you have is a ".38 Safety Hammerless 4th Model" also known as a "Safety" or a "New Departure" or a Lemon Squeezer. There were about 104,000 produced between the years of 1898 and 1907 with serial numbers 116003 to 220000. That is a "top break action". That gun was made to fire a black powder cartridge. I would not attempt to load it with the new powders. If it were mine, I wouldn't fire it at all and it needs to be checked out by a qualified gunsmith. Another nice old gun, a piece of history. Looks kinda rough but might clean up. Regards P.T.
Pistol Toter
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Kenny,
You sorta butt'd into the other mans thread. You have given me very little information and a picture, as I'm sure you have heard, is worth a 1000 words. I'm gonna guess that you have a ".38 Double Action 5th Model" made between 1909 and 1911. It also is a .38 S&W like ST's. If I'm correct in my identification there were approx. 15,000 produced during those years using a s.n. range of 539001 to 554077. Value is relative to condition and locale. Anywhere from $100 to $500.
ST & Kenny
In my humble opinion both these old guns are something to look at and appreciate for there historic value. They are like Steam Locomotives and not going to make anymore. If they were mine; they would be cleaned up and placed in as good a condition as reasonably possible, well lubricted for protection and placed under glass. Just my 2 cents.
Regards P.T.
You sorta butt'd into the other mans thread. You have given me very little information and a picture, as I'm sure you have heard, is worth a 1000 words. I'm gonna guess that you have a ".38 Double Action 5th Model" made between 1909 and 1911. It also is a .38 S&W like ST's. If I'm correct in my identification there were approx. 15,000 produced during those years using a s.n. range of 539001 to 554077. Value is relative to condition and locale. Anywhere from $100 to $500.
ST & Kenny
In my humble opinion both these old guns are something to look at and appreciate for there historic value. They are like Steam Locomotives and not going to make anymore. If they were mine; they would be cleaned up and placed in as good a condition as reasonably possible, well lubricted for protection and placed under glass. Just my 2 cents.
Regards P.T.
Thanks a lot PT. I'm sure they both would be considered to be 'rough.' The original owners toted them for years and most of the plating is worn off them, plus all the other wear and tear. Never did hear if they had to use them or not. I have no intentions of firing either revolver. Just gonna look at them for awhile. I sure appreciate your help.
ST
ST
Sorry PT and ST. I'm new at this 'thread' stuff and didn't mean to 'butt' in, as it were. ST has a similar gun as my aunt and I figured I could get some quality answers from the pros already discussing a gun similar to hers. As my Mom would say, you learn something new every day. Thanks for the info, PT. I'm sure my aunt will be happy to know she has a little treasure to hold on to. If I get a chance, I'll get some pictures of it and post it on a new thread. Thanks, again.
KD
KD
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