.38 special s. & w. Ctg

[Mdauben]

Okay, like lots of other folks I've got an old gun I'm trying to find out about. This belonged to my father and sat in his closet for as long as I can remember. Other than that, I have no real knowledge of where or when he got it. The info I was able to get off the gun was as follows:

On barrel:

Left:
SMITH & WESSON

Right:
.38 SPECIAL S. & W. CTG

Top:
SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A. PATENTED
OCT.9.01.DEC.17.01.FEB.6.06.SEPT.14.09.DEC.28.14

Serial Number on Butt:
352XXX

Serial Number on Cylinder:
352XXX

Serial Number under Ejector:
B(?) 352XXX

There were no letters associated with the S/N on either the bottom of the grip or the cylinder, although there was what appears to be the letter "B" before the serial number under the ejector rod.





Anything anyone could tell me about the gun would be welcome. It was stored in a leather holster for probably 50 years, so the finish isn't in terribly good condition (mostly worn bluing with a bit of pitting on the top of the barrel, the second pic actually makes it look worse than it is). Its also non-functional (the trigger will cock the hammer, but not release it. When the gun is shaken, you can hear something rattling around loose inside).

Would it be worth trying to get it fixed? Would it be safe to shoot if it was fixed? Is there anything I could do to clean it up, without damaging the "collectors value" (if any, to me it has mainly sentimental value as something that belonged to my father).

Thanks!

[Forester]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be along to confirm my diagnosis.

It looks like you have a pre WWII Military & Police Model of 1905-4th Change. Generically referred to as a Military and Police model and later known as the Model 10. The book gives a serial number range of 241704 to 700,000 between 1915 and 1942. I would think yours would date to the '20's.

As to value, it will have more to you because it belonged to your Dad. On the market, this gun has little collectors value unless I am missing something. If it were mine, I would definitely want to get it in to working order and would not hesitate to take it to a gunsmith to get it checked out.

Welcome to the forum.

[1av8r]

I have to agree with Forester. You wouldn't get your money out of it if you were to get it in working order again. On the other hand, you might want to take it on "just because". After all, it was your Dad's.

[Waidmann]

M, these guys nailed it pretty well. My estimate is 1920-21 based on serial, grips and absence of MADE IN USA on the lower right. The B preceeding the serial on the barrel is for Blued (an N for nickel required deeper engraving and other prep work). A plus is that yours has a hardened cylinder which began at 316XXX and later.

I see this as a case of all or nothing. The economics aren't there. If you restore it because it's Dad's I applaud you. If you pass and keep it as memento okay. If you sell it for salvage okay.

This model the M&P 1905 Hand Ejector Change 4 ran from 1915 to 1948 and was the longest continuous run, including WWII. Rare it ain't.

Any decision you take will be correct.

Best wishes, W.

[Mdauben]

Thanks a lot to everyone who posted in response to my questions. I think I will definitely look into getting it mechanically repaired so that I can shoot it. I think that would give me a lot of satisfaction shooting a gun that my Dad once had shot. Since it really has no special collector's value, I may even look into having it refinished. Not sure what it would cost to have the pitting buffed out and get the gun reblued, but it might be worth it just for my personal satisfaction.

Thanks again!

[1av8r]

Thanks a lot to everyone who posted in response to my questions. I think I will definitely look into getting it mechanically repaired so that I can shoot it. I think that would give me a lot of satisfaction shooting a gun that my Dad once had shot. Since it really has no special collector's value, I may even look into having it refinished. Not sure what it would cost to have the pitting buffed out and get the gun reblued, but it might be worth it just for my personal satisfaction.

Thanks again!

It's worth getting an estimate. Welcome to the board and keep us posted on how the gun turns out.