Can somebody tell me what my new gun is?

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BHPshooter

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A few weeks ago this old Smith .38 came into the shop. I had to have it.

Looking at it, my mind screamed, "Model 1917!!" But I know that those were supposed to have been in .45 ACP, or other large calibers. Wasn't the 1917 also an N-Frame? I think this one is a K-Frame, but I'm still learning Smith & Wesson Speak.

Can anybody identify it? I believe that the finish is original, and I would estimate it at 97%.

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Okay, I had a couple of pictures, but the upload seems to be having issues at the moment... I'll try again in a second.

Thanks guys,
Wes
 

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I think that is the Military & Police Model - or maybe a Model 10. I've been asking about it because I think it was what my late father was issued as an FBI Agent. There should be an expert along any minute to give you much better and more accurate info.

Nice score...it looks great! Do you mind telling us how much you paid for it? I would really like to have one myself.

Here is a wikipedia page on the M&P:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_&_Wesson_M&P
 
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Nice score...it looks great! Do you mind telling us how much you paid for it?
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:eek: Um... well, let me explain a little further. The Sheriff's Office and the City Police all buy their gear from us, and every so often, they bring confiscated guns in to trade towards gear.

The shop gave $100 for it, I gave $125. :uhoh: :eek:

Yeah, I know, I practically stole it.

Wes
 
That, my friend, is a classic. Am I correct in that there is no or very turn line?
 
It looks like a pre-WWII or transitional M&P, which later came to be known as the Model 10.
 
It looks like a post-war transitional Pre-Model 10 with a Hump back hammer. Very nice piece to have been gotten for $125.

I am not sure when the large ejector head was dropped, but it is very nice.
 
You've got a 5 inch M&P. Half moon sight, long action hammer and diamond grips. A CLASSIC! Well done! And it will have 5 screws.
You can see the difference between the short action hammer on the pic posted by MCB. Also the bevels on the cylinder. MCBs gun is newer.
 
How many screws does it have? serial #?
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Let's see if I can get the other pic to work...
Smith2.jpg

I only count 3 screws, but I'm new to this... :eek: The serial S837385.

Wes,

I hate you.

That is all.

Btw, you got any more like that....?
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:D Thanks Rob. I'll keep my eyes peeled -- there's always new stuff coming in. ;) I think I might just have to carry this to the midnight showing of Indy 4. I can't convince myself to go in full gear, but it'll be my own small way of assuaging my inner geek. :)

Anybody know where I can get 1917-style grips for it? :neener:

That, my friend, is a classic. Am I correct in that there is no or very turn line?
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Almost no turn line... you kind of have to hunt for it, since it's just slightly more polished, not really worn.

I'm very pleased with it. These revolvers could get addictive.
Wes
 
There should be another screw under the right grip and one at the front of the trigger guard making it a five screw model. With the S prefix to the serial number it is likely early post WWII manufacture. Nice piece.
 
I'm no expert, but that appears to be a Military & Police Model from 1947-48. It looks like what collectors call a "transitional model" being made up of pre-war parts but assembled after the war. The hammer is not the optional "hump-back" style as someone stated, but is the standard hammer for the model. The rounded front sight was commonly used until 1953 or so (but sometimes seen on slightly later guns).

The S series serial is a tip-off to the transitional nature. Pre-war guns did not have any letters and the fully post-war models featured serials that started with C (with other letters later on). Another clue is the single line Smith & Wesson on the right side of the frame. This would change to a four line address statement by about 1948 or so. The 5" barrel is neat and not as common as the 4 or 6" lengths. The original stocks will have the serial stamped on one side (inside). Check that out.

Very nice condition. A collector would be interested even without the box. I have seen such guns offered at $400-$500.

Of course this gun would become the Model 10 in 1957 when numbers were assigned.
 
The grips on it appear to be correct. If you remove them, you may see the serial number (or the last 4 digits of it) either stamped or inked on the inside of one of the grip panels (the right one, usually). You can find grips for a Victory model that may give you the effect you're looking for, but keep those original grips. If they are numbered to the gun, they will significantly enhance the value to a collector.
 
You can find grips for a Victory model that may give you the effect you're looking for, but keep those original grips. If they are numbered to the gun, they will significantly enhance the value to a collector.
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Oh, I'll definitely hang on to them. Heck, I never throw anything away.

I'll check the grips for serial number when I get home.

Thanks for all of the help, guys! :D

Wes
 
You could probably round up some of the old skimpy "service" grips, but hang on to the ones on the gun. Magna grips on a gun that old are desirable. They will be a lot more fun to shoot with, too.
 
After World War Two, Smith & Wessen resumed production of their .38 1905 Hand Ejector (Military & Police) model on September 12, 1945. They started at serial number 811,120, and added a letter "S" prefix to denote the addition of a new hammer block which made it safe to carry the cylinder fully loaded. Serial number S837, 385 would make it the 26,265th post-war Military & Police revolver - which was probably made during 1946.

The stocks are the correct style for the gun, and that period of manufacture.

The design of the ejector rod's front end was changed on or about October 4, 1946. Your revolver would probably have been made prior to this.

If any serious S&W collectors catch up with you they'll mug you in broad daylight... night time too... :D
 
Okay, just checked. Took the grips off, and saw the screws you guys were talking about. You were right, 5 screws. ;)

Smith41.jpg

The stocks themselves are numbers-matching. :)

If any serious S&W collectors catch up with you they'll mug you in broad daylight... night time too... :D
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So, you're saying that my Smith collection is off to a good start? :neener:

Wes
 
So, you're saying that my Smith collection is off to a good start?
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I'm saying, don't go out after dark... :evil:

Seeing that you next to stole it, you should get it "lettered" to confirm the information you are getting here. Should you sell or trade the gun, the increase in value will more then pay for the letter.

To do so you will need a snapshot of the gun, a full description including the serial number on the butt, and a check in the amount of $30.00 made out to Smith & Wesson. In exchange the company's historian, Roy G. Jinks, will research the original records (which are not computerized by the way) and send you a letter containing the details of what he finds.

This comprehensive document will contain an overview of the model’s history, followed by the details of your particular gun. This usually includes the caliber, barrel length, finish, and the exact date it was shipped from the factory, and to what distributor or dealer. If there are any special features they will be listed too. This information is often invaluable.

Additional information on a historical letter will be found at the Smith & Wesson company website at: www.smith-wesson.com
 
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