S&W 1905 4th change

[blitzen25cat]

Greetings I just got this Smith & Wesson this afternoon for $325 and I was told it is a 1905 4th change. The serial no. is 5826xx--38 special--6 in. barrel. It also is marked reg. us pat. off on the back of the hammer. Did I get a good deal or not? I like old smith & wesson revolvers so I bought this one from a friend of my son. I'll try to post pics. Any one know when this was made? Thanks Dick

[Oldgungeezer]

Hello blitzen25cat (Dick):

"Did you get a good deal?" You certainly DID get a good deal. It looks to be in very good condition.

BTW, those are nice photos too.

The Standard Catalog lumps your serial number into a broad range of years, 1915-1942. I wish I could narrow the ship date for you, sorry.

Enjoy it in good health,

Geezer

[jimg11]

From the fact that the grips do not have medalions it would seem that your gun was from the 1920s and the serial is later than my 1926 M&P. That should narrow it down a little more. Nice looking gun.

[ar15ed]

i would agree with the late 20s estimate. man! that is a beauty!!!
i love it. thanks for the pics!

[Waidmann]

You did well, 500000 shipped in 1927, that grip till say 1929-30. Pat yourself on the back.
Congrats,
W.

[grasshopper]

Plus, it's a smokeless frame. Great looking for it's age. You did REAL good.

[DocZeus]

Nice Hand Ejector, Dick.....You won't believe this, but yesterday I bought it's twin; 6", SAME grips, excellent finish, serial # 582XXX....mine must have been a hundred or so down the line after yours.

I don't spend a lot of time reading the front part of "The Bible" (S&W Catalog, 3rd Edition), but I have since I bought this one.....I paid $365 for mine, and from what I've gleaned so far, the heat-treated cylinders started about serial # 316648, so we both have the heat-treated cylinders. Hopefully someone here can narrow down my year of manufacture, also, once I get it and do some more research. A few pics from the dealer I purchased mine from:

















I think that my "addiction" has taken a turn for the worse.....I've always been a "1957-On-Up" kinda guy, but THESE works of art are just TOO cool! I was going to start my own thread about it once I received it (and I will, because there's a REALLY cool "history quirk" about THIS one that kinda makes it unique!), but I thought you could appreciate that I paid a little more for mine than you did for yours, and see some pics in the process.

Enjoy it in good health!

DocZeus

[Triplelock]

Absolutely SUPERB revolvers gentlemen, and yes you bought well; very well. It brings back memories of my father's revolver, only his had the four inch barrel. During the union organizing years my father was on a train filled with union members going to help another plant organize. The police stopped the train and a fight broke out, the resultant of the fight was the Smith & Wesson and a police badge with a broken clasp. In later years dad redeemed himself and became the chief of the auxiliary police and helped to enforce the laws of our rural township and yes, he carried that four inch M&P. . .Sorry if I hijacked the thread. - Hank

[blitzen25cat]

Wow I didn't realize there was that much interest in these old S&W revolvers. I would like to thank you folks for the response. I was just curious if I got a good deal. DocZeus, your gun is a twin to mine and the ser. no. are so close and both are in very good condition. I see you are from central Kentucky and I am from southeastern Indiana.Kind of close with close numbered old smiths and paid almost the same for them. Thanks again for the interest. Best regards Dick

[DocZeus]

Sorry if I hijacked the thread. - Hank

On the contrary, Hank.....those stories are what make these old revolvers come alive, and that wouldn't be possible without people like you telling us these great stories!

David