iron buck Posted July 23, 2005 Report Share Posted July 23, 2005 I had an old Smith & Wesson Daouble Action Revolver given to me today. I was wondering if anyone could give me an idea when it was made. Or any other information. It has "38 S&W Special" written on the left side of the barrel. Just under that is written "US Service CTG's" Does that have any bearing ? I have no idea what it means. The serial number is 645XX. On top of the barrel is a listing of pattent dates & reads s follows: "Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass USA Pat'd April 8,89, MArch 27,94,MAy 21,95 July 16,95,Aug 4, 96, Dec 22,96Oct 8, o1,Dec 17,01" It is in great working condition but has lots most of it's blueing. I'll try to post some pictures later. For now I am just trying to find out roughly how old it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SavageTaylor Posted July 24, 2005 Report Share Posted July 24, 2005 Re: Old Smith & Wesson Revolver Obviously it can't be any older than Dec 17/01 since it has that date stamped on it... . With the bluing worn off that much it could be someone's ex service pistol or a training pistol owned by a range club. I hope you doccumented who you got it from if it turns out to have been stolen. Because you don't want to be on the hook for that kinda crime. --Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hangunnr Posted July 24, 2005 Report Share Posted July 24, 2005 Re: Old Smith & Wesson Revolver That Dec 17/01 likely represents 1901. Get a picture up if you can. I would venture a guess it's a variant of the model 3. hangunnr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iron buck Posted July 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2005 Re: Old Smith & Wesson Revolver PICS Here are some pictures. Hope this helps figure out what I have here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iron buck Posted July 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2005 Re: Old Smith & Wesson Revolver PICS I found this through a Google search: [ QUOTE ] ..38 Hand Ejector (1899) The .38 Hand Ejector Military and Police Model of 1899 (its full factory title) was the first Smith & Wesson Model K (K-Frame) revolver and was also the first gun ever chambered for the .38 S&W Special cartridge. It is the earliest S&W model that remains in continuous production today (with refinements and improvements, of course). If that's not enough to earn it a place on this list, consider that S&W's sales of K-Frame guns, all models, still exceed the combined sales of all other handguns the company has ever produced. The term "Hand Ejector" refers to the solid-frame, side-swing cylinder design, which requires the shooter to use his hand to push the ejector rod to free the fired cases from the chambers (as opposed to the automatic-ejection system of the top-break design). It would eventually replace the top-breaks entirely because it could handle more powerful cartridges in a smaller form than the older system. The Hand Ejector was developed largely in response to the accelerating development of smokeless-propellant cartridges during the 1890s. That being said, it is interesting to note that the smaller S&W Model I (I-Frame) five-shot hand ejectors for .32 S&W Long were introduced first, in 1896. (Reason: the K- and I-Frame models were both designed at the same time in 1894-95; the engineers simply signed off on the I-Frame first for production.) And it is important not to forget that the original .38 Special cartridge was a blackpowder load and not smokeless. The Model K was first intended to fire the .38 U.S. Service cartridge (.38 Long Colt), but D.B. Wesson wanted the S&W side-swing gun to be more powerful than its rival's namesake, so he suggested the case be lengthened to allow its powder charge to be increased from 18 grains of fine blackpowder to 21.5 grains and upped the standard bullet weight from 150 to 158 grains--creating a "magnum" .38 Long, if you will. When later loaded as a smokeless round, the new case allowed room for considerably more powerful charges, which led to the .357 Magnum, and so on. It is often asked why S&W was later than Colt in offering double-action revolvers and solid-frame side-swing revolvers when it earlier had so little trouble in staying ahead of its rival with the original cartridge guns. The historian will answer: Monopoly inhibits creativity. Having beaten Colt to the cartridge era and developed a superior product in its large-frame top-breaks compared to the solid-frame SAA, S&W saw little reason for major changes until it was forced by the market success of alternative ideas. After being beaten, Colt was hungrier and became more aggressive. The ebb and flow of different competing companies taking turns playing lead and catch-up is a characteristic of the firearms industry (indeed all industries) even today. [/ QUOTE ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted July 24, 2005 Report Share Posted July 24, 2005 Re: Old Smith & Wesson Revolver PICS It looks to me like its an original .38 Military and Police (Model of 1905). The serial number puts it 1905-1906 which is pre-first change. It looks like the grips are not original, as the round butt came with S&W monogrammed checkered hard rubber grips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iron buck Posted July 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2005 Re: Old Smith & Wesson Revolver PICS Thanks AJ! That is what I was trying to find out. It is amazing that even after 100 years the gun still functions so well. It was owned by a Judge for the past 40 years. It was given to him by a retiring Cop. I do not know how long he had it or if he used it as a service gun. I figured the grips were replacement (100% genuine plastic imitation stga horn LOl) Even at that, the replacements are plenty old. I'd like to get a set of checkered walnut grips for it if anyone makes them. I am having a friend of mine that owns a gun shop look the gun over before I try to fire it at the local range. It looks to be sound, but I'd rather be safe & let an experienced pistol smith give it his blessing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hangunnr Posted July 24, 2005 Report Share Posted July 24, 2005 Re: Old Smith & Wesson Revolver PICS [ QUOTE ] It looks to me like its an original .38 Military and Police (Model of 1905). The serial number puts it 1905-1906 which is pre-first change. [/ QUOTE ] ------------------------------------- I concur........ This was a first generation 5 screw revolver. Nice vintage Smith, be sure to stay away from hot rod ammo. hangunnr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iron buck Posted July 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2005 Re: Old Smith & Wesson Revolver PICS Thanks! And thanks for the info on Ammo. I'l be sure to stick with regular ammo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WNY_Whitetailer Posted July 25, 2005 Report Share Posted July 25, 2005 Re: Old Smith & Wesson Revolver PICS Nice classic piece of hardware there...Congrats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyderpancake Posted July 26, 2005 Report Share Posted July 26, 2005 Re: Old Smith & Wesson Revolver [ QUOTE ] Obviously it can't be any older than Dec 17/01 since it has that date stamped on it... [/ QUOTE ] Ah, the old Y2K problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted July 26, 2005 Report Share Posted July 26, 2005 Re: Old Smith & Wesson Revolver [ QUOTE ] Ah, the old Y2K problem [/ QUOTE ] Now, thats funny! ROFLMAO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SavageTaylor Posted July 27, 2005 Report Share Posted July 27, 2005 Re: Old Smith & Wesson Revolver Yup, don't I feel like an Idjut, should of waited to see the photo posted... . Doh! --Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iron buck Posted July 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2005 Re: Old Smith & Wesson Revolver Well.............I said it was old LOL. BUt I probably should have waited to make the post so that the pics were included. That aside......it sure added hunor to the post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest john82457 Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 S&W 38 special I have the same gun, the bluing on mine is still nice with a some ware on the injector. Does anyone know what it is worth? I had an old Smith & Wesson Daouble Action Revolver given to me today. I was wondering if anyone could give me an idea when it was made. Or any other information. It has "38 S&W Special" written on the left side of the barrel. Just under that is written "US Service CTG's" Does that have any bearing ? I have no idea what it means. The serial number is 645XX. On top of the barrel is a listing of pattent dates & reads s follows: "Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass USA Pat'd April 8,89, MArch 27,94,MAy 21,95 July 16,95,Aug 4, 96, Dec 22,96Oct 8, o1,Dec 17,01" It is in great working condition but has lots most of it's blueing. I'll try to post some pictures later. For now I am just trying to find out roughly how old it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammerforged Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 iron buck - are you sure the grips are plastic? If they are real Sambar Stag and that old they will have a slight yellow patina that may make you think they are plastic. I would take them off and test them on the back side with a hot straight pin. Just heat the pin up with a match and then touch it to the back side of the grip, if it is plastic then it will melt, if it is real Sambar Stag then it won't. I would like to know, a real set of Sambar Grips like that are worth a pretty penny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hangunnr Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Good lord.....a 3 year old post brought back from the dead..... hangunnr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksheephuntress Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Good lord.....a 3 year old post brought back from the dead..... hangunnr ....it was worth it to me.....- -lol...... (I know, I know...-I'm just a girl...-) -nice pistol...I really enjoyed reading this thread.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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