Model 1905, 3rd change

[CajunBass]

I've been looking at what is labeled a "Pre-Model 10" at a local dealer. I believe it's a Model 1905, 3rd change. The most obvious thing is the knurled end to the ejector rod. That jumps right out at me. There are patent dates on the top of the barrel, I forget which ones off the top of my head, and the words Smith & Wesson on the left side of the barrel. No address line at all, just the Smith & Wesson logo on the right side. Fixed sights, blue steel of course. Grips are diamond Magnas, with a faded gold S&W medalion, which may not be original, since they're not numbered to the gun. Six inch barrel by the way. S/N is 1565xx. No prefix or suffix. If I read the book right, it's about 1910-1912 maybe? Cylinder has the same S/N.

The gun looks good. Not brand new by any means, but no really noticable wear. It just looks old. The trigger is smooth, a "combat type" not grooved like I've come to expect on my 50-80's Smith's. The grips have a couple of minor chips out, and are worn and dirty, but I'd expect that on an older gun. Lock-up isn't bank vault tight, but again, not bad I don't think.

Dealer is asking $449.00. It's been hanging around there for at least a month, so I know they'll come down. Sorry, I don't have any pictures of it.

It's not something I can't live without. I'm not sure I even want it. I just keep seeing it every time I go in the store, right there on the middle of the rack and would like to know more about it.

[Hunter]

I think that one is calling your name, see what you can get it for, it sounds nice.

[DHENRY]

CajunBass
You only live once.
Get it.
Don

[grasshopper]

According to one of my S&W letters from Roy Jinks:
" .38 Hand Ejector, Military & Police Model of 1905, Third change. This modification occurred in 1909 and was produced until 1915 with a total productionof 94,804 revolvers. These revolvers were produced between serial numbers 146900 and 241703 of the Hand Ejector series. The current production model of this series is known as the Model 10".
I have one of these revolvers, serial #208XXX, and it was shipped from the factory in April of 1913, so the one you inquire about was probably earlier. There's no way of telling without a letter, and most probably is a black powder frame. I shoot all my older Smiths, but stick to mild target loads with the black powder frames.
His asking price is on the high side for this part of the country.

[ar15ed]

i think i hear it calling to you!

[CajunBass]

Well, I did put it on layaway. I'll probably never shoot it, but I got tired of seeing it up there surrounded by Glocks, and Sigs and who knows what other plastic pistols were up there. It was the only decent thing to do. Bad cell phone pictures, I know.





Probably paid too much for it, but then I do that a lot.

[ar15ed]

ha! i hear you! i recently "rescued" this 32-20 from a sea of bersas and kel-tecs. i honestly think i was the only person who ever even looked at it.

[Oldgungeezer]

Hi Folks:

I too am a fan of the Hand Ejector Models...........and BTW ar15ed, I'm also a fan of 32-20's.

Good job CajunBass, I'm glad to hear you got it........I'd shoot it and enjoy it. I assume it's a .38 Special?

The photo below is a Model of 1905 (no change) round butt with a period holster.

IM005253HandEjector32-20.jpg

Here are two 32-20's......one, S&W Hand Ejector (same as above) and a Colt Police Positive.

IM005255HandEjector&PolicePos32-20.jpg

Hope everyone is having a good weekend,

Geezer

[WendyZXZ]

ha! i hear you! i recently "rescued" this 32-20 from a sea of bersas and kel-tecs. i honestly think i was the only person who ever even looked at it.

I have no doubt that you were...sad to say. That pistol looks to be in great shape.

[CajunBass]

Good job CajunBass, I'm glad to hear you got it........I'd shoot it and enjoy it. I assume it's a .38 Special?

Yes, it's a 38 Special. I will probably pick up some wadcutter and fire a few rounds through it after I give it a good cleaning. It's probably got some crud in it from 1910.

I know other people had looked at it. I tried to talk them into buying it so I wouldn't have to. Obviously it didn't work.

I will give a shout out to the young fellow who handled the transaction. He told me he'd find a box for it, so it wouldn't get scratched up back, wherever they store layaway items. He either had respect for the old girl, or for the old sucker who takes the old revolvers off their hands. I told him, "The original one would be nice."...Hey...costs nothing to try.