Smith and Wesson ID please!

[sean sirvaitis]

Picked up a .38 special at the local pawn shop today... can't seem to find the exact model.

here's the rundown on her markings:

Top of barrel: Smith and Wesson Springfield Mass. U.S.A.
Pat'd Oct. 8.01. Dec 17.01. Feb. 6.06. Sep. 14.09.

Side of Barrel: 38 S&W Special

Other side: Smith and Wesson

Serial on barrel, cylinder and butt all match: 2575xx

Serial under barrel appears to have a "B" prefix

# inside crane is 9286

Has diamond-pattern wood grips with deep-set brass colored medallions and the five-screw configuration. It also has the half-penny sight on a 3.25" barrel. Overall in immaculate shape, save for one scratch above one of the grips. Came with an incredibly moldy leather holster, thankfully the gun was not in it!!!

Can anyone tell me more about it???

 

[Radagast]

.38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change manufactured between 1915 & 1919, serial range over that period was 241704 to 316618, so 1915 seems likely. Built ont he K frame and an ancestor of todays Model 10.
Lacks the postive internal hammer block safety introduced during World War II, if dropped it could fire. Leave the chamber under the hammer empty.
Predates heat treatment of cylinders, so stick to standard velocity lead ammo; no jacketed, semi jacketed, PlusP or +P+. The sights should be regulated for 158 grain lead round nose.

The medallions were originally gold coloured, I guess 96 years of work has warn away the plate, which makes me think the gun may have been reblued. If the finish is original then it is in very nice shape.

 

[sean sirvaitis]

Really??? 95 or 96 years old?? I guess the holster must be original then... it looks about a hundred.

Honestly don't think it's been re-blued.. the whole thing is pretty darn flawless (except for the scratch above the grip in the photo).. the riflings and the cylinder look like they've never fired a round!!

Thanks!

 

[sean sirvaitis]

what would an estimated value for this be? I'm curious to see if what I paid was worth it...

 

[XxWINxX94]

Blue Book has 90% condition at $1,050 and 50% Condition at $525. If it has been refinished, then this doesn't apply and your gun isn't worth nearly as much. I would need better and more pictures to be able to determine the % condition. Looks good though!

 

[sean sirvaitis]

Good to know. I definitely didn't get ripped off then. Will post pics ASAP!

 

[sean sirvaitis]

Ok, let's hope this works!! A couple of the photos look a bit screwy, the result of an (only) 2 megapixel cell cam, but here's some more eye candy:

http://s924.photobucket.com/albums/ad82/Sean_Sirvaitis/Smith and Wesson 38 Special Model of 1905/

 

[XxWINxX94]

Whoever had that gun before you took really good care of it because its in superb shape. I would say a strong 90% maybe even 95% The small scratches above the top of the grip on picture 7 is what drops it down from the 98-100% condition range, in my opinion. You also have to keep in mind that not everyone pays or goes by book value. It is a starting point and the price you put on a gun should not be based on it alone.

Awesome gun though!

 

[sean sirvaitis]

Thank you! I thought it stood out in the case as sort of a "diamond in the rough" but I had no idea it was as old as it is! Thank you for your input, if I ever do decide to sell it, I'll bear your advice in mind!