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Radagast · April 8, 2009, 09:33 AM

JHILDE: You have a S&W .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th change. Manufactured between 1915 & 1942 in the serial number range 241704-1000000, heat treated cylinders were introduced at serial number 316648. As yours is earlier than that it is probably safest if only shot with standard pressure loads. The grips are correct for the age of the gun, checkered walnut with gold monogram inserts and an un-checkered diamond around the grip screws. Square butts were available, but the round butt (like yours) was more common. The Standard Catalog of S&W notes that guns with serial numbers in the 500000 range shipped in 1927, so yours dates from somewhere between 1915 & 1927. Most of the bluing is missing, so condition would be fair to good. Per the SCSW this meant a value of $135 to $200 in 2006.

Edit: A post by XavierBreath, moderator at the www.thehighroad.org notes that the change to heated treated cylinders occurred in September 1919. So if he is correct then 1915-1919 is the age range.

April 8, 2009, 09:33 AM	#1310
Radagast Senior Member Join Date: July 13, 2001 Posts: 449	JHILDE: You have a S&W .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th change. Manufactured between 1915 & 1942 in the serial number range 241704-1000000, heat treated cylinders were introduced at serial number 316648. As yours is earlier than that it is probably safest if only shot with standard pressure loads. The grips are correct for the age of the gun, checkered walnut with gold monogram inserts and an un-checkered diamond around the grip screws. Square butts were available, but the round butt (like yours) was more common. The Standard Catalog of S&W notes that guns with serial numbers in the 500000 range shipped in 1927, so yours dates from somewhere between 1915 & 1927. Most of the bluing is missing, so condition would be fair to good. Per the SCSW this meant a value of $135 to $200 in 2006. Edit: A post by XavierBreath, moderator at the www.thehighroad.org notes that the change to heated treated cylinders occurred in September 1919. So if he is correct then 1915-1919 is the age range.