Antique S&W revolver help

[ZLP]

Greetings to all from a first-timer!
I was wondering if any of you can help me find some info about a friend's family heirloom S&W .38. The markings are as follows:
SN under barrel and on bottom of grip: 548xxx
SN inside frame and on crane arm: 74xxx
38 S&W special ctg. (side of barrel)
Made in USA (other side of barrel)
Pats. Feb 6 06, Sept 14 09, Dec 29 14 (top of barrel)

It is nickel plated with square butt and diamond checkered wood grips. Half circle font sight. Forgot to count the screws, but if I remember correctly, at least 4 holding the side plate on, maybe 5?

If anyone can give me a production date, correct model ( I think it is a model 1905?), and any other info I would greatly appreciate it! Such as what's with the different serial numbers? I have been told to go with thte one on the bottom of the grip.

Thanks to all,
ZLP

 

[Flatfender]

It looks to me like a .38 Military & Police of 1905 - 4th change.

758,296 manufactured between 1915-1942. Serial # range 241704-700000 1915-1940 & 700000-1000000 1940-1942

I'm guessing it was made 1930-1935. That's as close to a date as I can get to.

You can get a letter from S&W archives for (I Think?) $25 dollars or so that will have the exact date, who it was sold to and what configuration.

Round front sight makes it have "Service" sights as opposed to "Target" sights

Square butt and/or nickeled are scarce in this gun.

It's a 5 screw with the 5th on front of the trigger guard

 

[Flatfender]

Forgot to add, the grip # is the serial number. The crane number(s) are S&W factory assembly numbers and were used to keep the same parts together as it was being built.

 

[ZLP]

Thanks for the info Flatfender. That helps greatly.
ZLP

 

[jwr_747]

just so no one gets in trouble,it's not an antique.think the date for antique is 1898 or 1889,I forget which one, jwr

 

[Bezoar]

thats the benefit of non break open revolvers, you can get perfect information from Roy Jinks at SW using that serial number from the grip.

With top breaks, its sooo easy to swap barrel/cylinder from reciever to reciever. and legally, they go by when the frame/reciever that you HOLD to decide antique or not.