Help Identifying Revolver

[ConcussionFirearms]

Hello,

I'm new to the forums and new to the gun industry as a whole. I was hoping I could get some help identifying this revolver. I believe this is a pre model 10 S&W in .38 special. But any information would be greatly appreciated. I'm still learning all the different clues like 5 screw versus a 6 screw and then based on patent numbers it seems like you can tell when it was made but I'm struggling with resources for these revolvers. I've attached 5 photos hopefully they are helpful in identifying the revolver.

Edit: I would like to add details as well.
On the right side of the revolver has "MADE IN U.S.A" on the frame. On the barrel on the right side it has " 38 S & W. SPECIAL CTG"

Serial number on the butt is 508422
Number inside yoke is 61322 I believe
Number on cylinder is 508422

On left side of the frame is a small S&W logo and on the barrel is "SMITH & WESSON"

Along the top of the barrel is two lines
"SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS.U.S.A."
"PATENTED FEB.6.06. SEPT.14.09.DEC.29.14"

Hopefully these markings help with the identification as well

Best regards,
Cory

 

[JP@AK]

It isn't a "pre-model 10." It is a .38 Military & Police model from about 1925. The stocks are at least five years newer than the gun.

It has a five screw frame. There were no six screw K frame revolvers (and this one is a K frame).

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Hi Cory! Welcome to the forum. Your revolver is a .38 M&P as Jack says. It's a Model 1905, 4th Change and the serial 508422 on the butt is the official number. After a few changes, it became the Model 10 in 1957.

 

[ConcussionFirearms]

Wow thank you both for the quick replies! Awesome information!

 

[Tom K]

Hi Cory! Welcome to the forum. Your revolver is a .38 M&P as Jack says. It's a Model 1905, 4th Change and the serial 508422 on the butt is the official number. After a few changes, it became the Model 10 in 1957.

Welcome to the Forum!

To expand on what Guy has said, 1957 is when Smith & Wesson started assigning Model numbers to its products. Prior to that they only used names - in this case the .38 Military & Police (abbreviated M&P). The caliber marked on the barrel of this gun is "38 S & W. SPECIAL CTG" as you noted. CTG is the abbreviation that S&W used for "Cartridge", but for some reason people often mistake it for a model name.

The serial number on the butt is the ONLY official serial number for this gun. The serial number can also be found on the backside of the cylinder (as you noted), on the flat on the underside of the barrel where the ejector rod resides, on the forward side of the ejector star (visible when the ejector rod is held in) and on the back surface of the yoke (may be seen by aligning a chamber with the surface and shining a strong light down into it, or by removing the cylinder). All of these numbers are NOT official as these are parts that can be replaced, but S&W used them to keep parts sets together during manufacture.

Similarly the number stamped on the frame inside the yoke is an assembly number, but once the gun has left the factory the number is meaningless. People often mistake it for a serial number, but it is not. Modern S&Ws typically do have the serial stamped there.

As Jack noted this is a pre-WWII gun (about 1925). One clue is the "Made in USA" stamp on the frame which was replaced by the "4-line address" after the war. Another clue is the high placement of the hammer spur on the hammer which is a feature of the pre-war "long action". Post-war guns were redesigned (around 1948?) and have the spur lower on the body of the hammer and have a shorter trigger pull.

I will also say that this gun has been refinished, and not by the factory. Telltale signs are the rounded edge of the sideplate on the right side, and the fact that the hammer and trigger are blued. On an original finish the sideplate seam is perfectly flat, and the hammer and trigger are case hardened, even on nickel guns. It has no collector value but that said, it should be a good shooter.

 

[DWalt]

As previously observed, the grips on it are of the style used by S&W during the 1930s decade and are not period correct. Grips used during the 1920s had no medallions. Yours would have been cataloged by S&W as the “.38 Military and Police Model, Square Butt”. It appears to have been refinished, but that has no effect on its shootability. M&Ps from the 1920s are common and it would have no significant collector value premium even had it not been refinished. The 1930s grips on it, though not original, increase its value some, as the 1930s grips have scarcity value and higher desirability than 1920s grips.

“Pre-Model 10” is a collector term applicable to M&P revolvers made during roughly the 1947-57 time period. Which does not apply to yours.

 

[ConcussionFirearms]

All of this information is greatly appreciated! I've learned a lot already it's unfortunate it's not all original and a rare piece but still an awesome piece of history to think it came from the 1920s and has been through so many iterations over its lifetime. Thank you all again for the great information.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Welcome to the Forum! You have received a veritable cornucopia of good information about your revolver from some of our Forum experts. I just wanted to mention that S&W made millions of M&P revolvers over many decades, so your revolver is not rare or particularly valuable. However, it's true worth may depend upon its history with you and your family (was it handed down as a family heirloom?). If it was simply a purchase that you made, you can just appreciate this 100 year old revolver, take it to the range, and enjoy!

 

[glowe]

Welcome, you might consider purchasing another set of stocks that fit the 1920s decade to have an era-correct S&W. I have a similar era gun, a 38 Target 482353 era gun with correct stocks, pictured below. These stocks can be picked up often on ebay. You could also put a WTB ad on this Forum - https://smith-wessonforum.com/wanted-buy/. Those with some wear will usually be affordable and appropriate for your revolver.

 

[ConcussionFirearms]

I actually received this revolver as inheritance from my grandfather and it has a little history from being passed down. It was my grandfathers Uncle's service revolver, he used it during "traffic control" at the drive-in movies on Friday and Saturday nights, so I think it's a pretty awesome piece and has been in the family for a long time.