S&W age and price??? Passed down Just Curious

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Jackson0331

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right side of the barel is stamped 38 S&W Special CT
right side under the cylender is stamped
Made in USA
IA co SAC CA
When the cylender is lowered ther are a couple of places where it is stamped 46415

the bottom of the grip is stamped 417853
the barel is very short only about two inches long

All i know is that it was given to me by my grandfather who purchased it when he got out of the air force. he was in the Korean war and never talked about it just that they flew alot. the pistol was his side arm. It is in great condition the bluing is showing wear but it is not bad at all. Again just so it is clear this is not for sale for any price, i'm just curious as to what i have inherited.

ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU
 
pictures would tell us what it is. but the marking IA co sac ca is or was a importer in sacramento ca and if it has that on it I rather take it as imported from another country but they have done alot of police trade ins over he years. now import marks were not required untill like 68 or something like that. someone else may be able to provide a ideal on that.

the number on the bottom would be the serial number on a smith and wesson and with no letter in the serial number and without a photo is sounds like a M&P but a photo would tell us more. info like a ramped front sight or partride or no rear sight and things like that.
importent info like is it a 5 shot or 6 shot would help also as that would shorten the fram choices.
 
Jackson: It is going to take pictures to tell just what you have.

Bigtubby: S&W did not assign model numbers until 1957. There won't be one on a Korean War era gun.
 
The serial No. 417,853 would date the revolver as having been made during the early-to-middle 1920's. It is a Smith & Wesson .38 Military & Police / 1905 Hand Ejector, 4th Chg. As the shortest barrel length made at the time was 4-inches what's on it now was clearly cut-down from a longer length. The barrel may also be an earlier replacement. Swing out the cylinder and look at the bottom of the barrel back toward the frame. The same number that's stamped on the butt should also be stamped there. The stocks are not original to the gun, and appear to have been made after World War Two. Given the provided information that's the best I can do.
 
Thank You, I found the number under the barrel and it is the same. the barrel from end to end is 3 1/4 in long. I do non't think it was cut because the crown is still there and there is bluing on the tip of the barrel. How can you tell the wood was replaced?
 
That last picture looks like there is a slot cut on the back strap of it? If so would it have been for a stock?

WB
 
I do non't think it was cut because the crown is still there and there is bluing on the tip of the barrel.
Click to expand...

At the time they didn't offer the M&P .38 with a 3 1/4" barrel, just 4, 5 and 6 inches. Why the blue on the muzzle? Because after someone soldered the front sight back on they refinished the revolver - or at least the frame and barrel.

How can you tell the wood was replaced?
Click to expand...

By their shape. Pre-war stocks were thinner and more ovel.
 
There is no slot cut in the back.

Yes, they do have a little bit of an over hang.

Thank you i didnt think that they would have soldered the front sight back on, and refinished the revolver.

"At the time they didn't offer the M&P .38 with a 3 1/4" barrel, just 4, 5 and 6 inches. Why the blue on the muzzle? Because after someone soldered the front sight back on they refinished the revolver - or at least the frame and barrel."
 
my guess is that Jackson is not measuring the barrel properly.

from the forcing cone (the barrel closest to the cylinder) to the end of the muzzle.

It sure looks like there is metal on the back of the grips and there is a slot...but it might be the photo.

No matter what, this is a GREAT old gun.

I am looking forward to more pictures!!!
 
See post #5, and the picture in the lower/left corner.

You can see the front sight that is above/slightly in front, of the lower lug on the barrel. This would indicate a barrel with a length of approximately 3 1/4 inches.
 
I agree with S&W M&P 1905. The mushroom shaped ejector rod top with the barrel relief are a give away. I'm betting there is a scalloped relief on the top strap which many newbies think is flame cutting. These were the Glock 17/22s of their era.
 
IA (InterAmerican) Company of Sacramento was incorporated in 1986 and imported lots of surplus guns, so I don't think it was the one the OP's grandfather used in Korea. Regardless, inherited guns have a glory all their own. I'd treasure it.

Edited to add: I've also seen "IA" defined as "Import Arms" of Sacramento.
 
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