S&W Ejector experts wanted
I have a very early S&W Ejector marked on the butt "Y93" and under the crane "172". This is a .38 (unknown if .38 S&W or .38 special since both rounds fit the cylinder and there are no barrel markings as to the cal). It's from a family estate with no gun history, but I assume it would have been purchased used in the late 1920's.
I was told that there are some old S&W's with the "Y" on the butt and that the serial number was sometimes under the crane. Can anyone confirm this?
I will be selling this on GB in the near future, but need to accurately describe the firearm. If I can't get more info I'll go with what I've got. Pictures won't help since it looks like a 4" barrel early Ejector.
Thanks, any help is appreciated.
I was told that there are some old S&W's with the "Y" on the butt and that the serial number was sometimes under the crane. Can anyone confirm this?
I will be selling this on GB in the near future, but need to accurately describe the firearm. If I can't get more info I'll go with what I've got. Pictures won't help since it looks like a 4" barrel early Ejector.
Thanks, any help is appreciated.
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Victory Models made during the war, had a "V" prefix. That's as closest to Y, that your going to get.
The serial number of some of the older smiths were also found under the extractor star/ratchet. As well on the bottom of the barrel just forward of where it screws into the frame.
Because of the serial numbers location on the bottom of the grip. It's awful easy to screw with them. I've seen a lot bubbaed ones, over the years. Best be sure yours isn't one of them, before putting it on GB.0 -
Is there a lanyard loop on the butt- or a hole where a lanyard loop would have been? The Victory model was originally made in .38S&W, and tons of them were bored out to take the .38 Special cartridge.
Pictures would help immensely.0 -
Slug the barrel to see if it was a 38 S&W. I think the Y93 is a rack number stamped in at some place that had racks of pistols like a school or a security firm.
I have seen the serial # inside the crane and on the butt.0 -
quote:Originally posted by geeguy
I have a very early S&W Ejector marked on the butt "Y93" and under the crane "172". This is a .38 (unknown if .38 S&W or .38 special since both rounds fit the cylinder and there are no barrel markings as to the cal). It's from a family estate with no gun history, but I assume it would have been purchased used in the late 1920's.
I was told that there are some old S&W's with the "Y" on the butt and that the serial number was sometimes under the crane. Can anyone confirm this?
I will be selling this on GB in the near future, but need to accurately describe the firearm. If I can't get more info I'll go with what I've got. Pictures won't help since it looks like a 4" barrel early Ejector.
Thanks, any help is appreciated.
When inspecting individual chambers is there a ledge or is it bored all the way through? Are there any any proof marks on the barrel, anything reading "BNP"?
That one or two 38 S & W cartridges may fit isn't unusual, even if the gun is a 38 Special. But I don't think you'd be able to load all 6 chambers with 38 S & W (not special) unless the gun was chambered for that cartridge. The 38 S & W case is just a bit wider than the 38 S & W Special case.
It was fairly common after WWII that Smith & Wesson models sent to England and chambered in 38 S & W (commonly referred to as 38/200) were rechambered to 38 S & W Special by simply boring out the shorter 38 S & W chamber ledge.0 -
Thanks guys.
Rufe: You really helped, turns out there are serial numbers on the flat barrel underside that are a clear "793" and the back of the cylinder is also stamped "793", so everything matches that serial number. (Never thought to look there on a S&W) The butt serial must just be a fancy "7" instead of a "Y".
Dfletcher:There are cylinder chamber ridges and 6--.38 specials fit and close just fine. Still no Cal marking I can find anywhere.
Again, thanks to all.0 -
quote:Originally posted by geeguy
Thanks guys.
Rufe: You really helped, turns out there are serial numbers on the flat barrel underside that are a clear "793" and the back of the cylinder is also stamped "793", so everything matches that serial number. (Never thought to look there on a S&W) The butt serial must just be a fancy "7" instead of a "Y".
Dfletcher:There are cylinder chamber ridges and 6--.38 specials fit and close just fine. Still no Cal marking I can find anywhere.
Again, thanks to all.
Serial number is a puzzle? Most of the Smith & Wesson 38 Special revolvers were consecutively numbered. The first M & P around 1899, than the Victory Models starting in 1942.
I would hold off selling it, until finding out what exactly it is. If it's original? Might have substantial collectors value.0 -
Rufe: I had 2 "S&W experts" look at it at the Ohio Gun Collectors meeting and they feel it is all original. But I have no way to prove that, and no real good history.
Their recommendation was to post "what I know" and let the buyer judge the value. To me, if someone gets a deal because of what they know or wants to take a chance on, that's fine, I have no use for the gun and only collect American Mil rifles in a mild sort of way. If it helps a S&W collector that's great. I will be selling some other old S&W's in the near future (I know the history of those) but wanted to get this one out of the way first.
Again, thanks for your insights, they were very helpful.0 -
quote:Originally posted by geeguy
Rufe: I had 2 "S&W experts" look at it at the Ohio Gun Collectors meeting and they feel it is all original. But I have no way to prove that, and no real good history.
Their recommendation was to post "what I know" and let the buyer judge the value. To me, if someone gets a deal because of what they know or wants to take a chance on, that's fine, I have no use for the gun and only collect American Mil rifles in a mild sort of way. If it helps a S&W collector that's great. I will be selling some other old S&W's in the near future (I know the history of those) but wanted to get this one out of the way first.
Again, thanks for your insights, they were very helpful.
Before putting it on the auction. Take a lot of high quality close up photos, send to Roy Jenks. Or whoever is the S & W Historian now. Pay for a letter if you have to.
Money wise, you might have a sleeper? That could be worth a lot of money? A S & W letter would be a big incentive? If it authenticates the revolver, as being factory original.0 -
SN 793 is for a first year 1899 .38 Hand Ejector Military & Police. Numbers were consecutive until 999999 during WW II.
Early guns were not marked for caliber.
Too bad you didn't think it worth a picture.0 -
Hawk:
Not that I don't think it's worth a picture, I just never have had any luck posting pictures in the forum (yea, I know there's a sticky on it), ads yes, forum no. May be the age of my software. I have posted pictures on the S&W forum, but I need better close ups.
Rufe had a good idea on the S&W contact and getting a letter. My son lives near S&W, so I may just contact them and see about having it examined next trip out there.
Best regards0
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