Another old S&W ?

[Josey]

I am getting a neat collection of old S&Ws. I have one that I am unsure of. It is a 6" barrel with old style sights, half round in front and small dimple rear. It has the large ejector head, non-shrouded. Walnut grips with diamonds w/o S&W emblems. 3428XX s/n 38 S&W Special Cartridge is on the barrel. 4-screw. I am thinking Model 1905. Thoughts?

 

[BluesBear]

4 screw or 5 screw?

What are the patent dates on the barrel?

 

[Brian Williams]

My guess is a 5 screw made around 1920, plus or minus a few years would make it a 1905 4th change Military & Police

heat treat change happened SN 316648 and 4th change started 1915 with sn 241704

I would still stay with standard 38 spec loads.

 

[FPrice]

Josey...

Congratulations on your growing collection of these fine old revolvers. I think that Perfessr's guess is probably correct. Can you post a pic? That would help nail it down.

 

[Josey]

Barrel address is: Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass USA Patented Oct. 8 01 Dec 17 01 Feb 3 06 Sept 14 06 Dec 23 14 There are no Maltese crosses at each end. There are 4 screws retaining the side plate on the right side. The walnut grips are the old rounded top style. There IS a screw in front of the trigger guard, does that make it a 5 screw? S&W and trademark are stamped on the left side of frame below the cylinder latch. I just haven't seen another "long action" like this.

 

[ruger357]

Those old M&P's are sweet guns. I have one with a 5 inch barrel made in 1947. Sure has a slick action.

 

[HSMITH]

Perfssr nailed it and yes it is a 5 screw.

 

[Jim K]

Hi, Josey and guys,

Just FYI, the five screw S&W has four sideplate screws and the cylinder stop plunger screw at the top front of the trigger guard, hence "5-screw".

S&W first did away with the front screw, creating the "4-screw", then replaced the top sideplate screw with an undercut, resulting in the "3-screw" frame (the current type).

Jim

 

[BluesBear]

Actually S&W eliminated the larger, upper sideplate screw around 1956.

The cylinder stop screw wasn't dropped until around 1961.

 

[Josey]

WOW! I understand that whole mystery! The 3, 4 and 5 screw nomenclature had me confused. Thank you for the SIMPLE explanation.