Smith & Wesson .38 info please
I have a Smith & Wesson .38 with a H.H.Heiser leather holster. This revolver has has some use. It is a shooter. There is obvious holster wear and cylinder wear. The markings on the side of the barrel: a sideways crown, 38B.&W.SPECIAL OTG, sideways crown. On the top, Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Mass., USA, patented October.801 December 17.01, Feb.606, September 14 09, Dec 29 14. Other side of barrel "SMITH & WESSON" in large letters. Matching serial numbers on cylinder and butt plate are: 301XXX. On the barrel, beneath the extractor is the same serial number...all match.
Is it possible to ask the experts for as much information as possible, including estimated value of gun and holster? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
These are the best pics I could get.
Woodman
By wood_man at 2010-08-28
By wood_man at 2010-08-28
By wood_man at 2010-08-28
By wood_man at 2010-08-28
By wood_man at 2010-08-28
By wood_man at 2010-08-28
By wood_man at 2010-08-28
By wood_man at 2010-08-28
Is it possible to ask the experts for as much information as possible, including estimated value of gun and holster? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
These are the best pics I could get.
Woodman
By wood_man at 2010-08-28
By wood_man at 2010-08-28
By wood_man at 2010-08-28
By wood_man at 2010-08-28
By wood_man at 2010-08-28
By wood_man at 2010-08-28
By wood_man at 2010-08-28
By wood_man at 2010-08-28
0
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I'm not the expert you're looking for, but if you swing the cylinder open and give them the model number that's inside, it may help them out to determine exactly what it is so they can find a value 0 -
I believe that you have a Smith & Wesson .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 - 4th Change, probably made between 1920-1930. I would estimate that this model with 20-30% finish remaining, heavily worn grips, & fired substantially would sell for around $200.
I have no idea what the holster is worth.
Neal0 -
What theseold eyes see when I open the cylinder are both...9863. 0 -
If by worth, you are considering a sale, please don't expect to get top dollar at a gunshop.
Best if you advertise locally, or place it here at auction starting at, say, $225.00, and let us bidders raise the price for you.
It won't go for much more. It is what it is. How's the bore, and the cylinders? Good rifleing? Nice 'n bright? Dark? Pitted? Thanks, Joe0 -
It is apparent to anyone who knows Smith & Wesson pistols that this one was made long before S & W started using model numbers. The 9863 stamped inside the frame is an assembly number. It was used to make sure the parts fitted together for this pistol stayed together. 0 -
Looks like an alteration to the rear sight, which was originally just a groove in the topstrap. Helps the shooting, hurts the resale value.
Heiser was a major big brand name holster maker in those days. I don't know that it is worth a lot of money but it completes a nice old outfit. Don't store a gun in a leather holster, it can rust the steel.
I would limit shooting to standard 158 grain lead bullets. The cylinder may not be heat treated for +P ammunition and the sights are probably correct for that bullet weight. But the modification to the rear sight area may have set it up for something else.0 -
Gentlemen,
I have just recleaned this gun to answer the questions concerning internal condition. The bore is bright and shiny, as are the cylinders. The action seems tight, and very workable. The outside wear is obviously holster related. From a layman's perspective, which is by no means is not to insinuate I know anything about anything, I made these observations while cleaning another revolver, SP101 357 with less than 100 rounds "run". The condition looks very similar...bright, shiny and well taken care of.
Cleaning another revolver gave me an opportunity to due a "parallel comparison", if you will.
Thank you for your continued attention, as I am doing this for a very good friend, while I have the gun in my position. Any thoughts on the holster...anyone??
Thanks again,
Rick0 -
Very nice old S&W. That was before they started with model numbers. As said, I would stick to standard 158 gr RN lead, or midrange wadcutter- +P loads had not been thought of when that one was made.
Your holster maker is back in business in Denver. They made REALLY nice holsters (they were mainly saddlemakers), and there is a demand for the original holsters. Value of the holster may run 100-150, depending on condition. http://www.vintagegunleather.com/shoppe/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3_8_100 -
Hello wood_man,
Welcome to the forums here on Gunbroker.
That is a beautiful old revolver you have there, and as stated, was made long before S&W started attaching model numbers to them. The value of collectability is hurt with the addition of what looks to be a dovetail sight, in the rear of the topstrap, but I bet that thing is a shooter!
This is what the Blue Book says:
quote:.38 MILITARY & POLICE (MODEL OF 1905) Add to Collection
- .38 S&W Special cal., 6 shot fluted cylinder, 4, 5, or 6 1/2 in. barrel, blue or nickel finish, "S&W" monogram checkered hard rubber (round butt) or checkered walnut (square butt) grips. 10,800 mfg. 1905-06. Serial number range 62,450-73,250.
Grading 100% 98% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
N/A $1,400 $1,225 $1,050 $850 $775 $650 $525 $400 $300 $250 $200
Add 50% for Target Model.
.38 MILITARY & POLICE (MODEL OF 1905 - 1ST CHANGE) Add to Collection
- .38 S&W Special cal., 6 shot fluted cylinder, 4, 5, 6, or 6 1/2 in. barrel, blue or nickel finish, grips same as above. 73,648 mfg. (including Model 1905 2nd change), exact quantity of both models has not been determined. The first change mfg. in 1906-08. Serial number range 73,251 - unknown.
Grading 100% 98% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
N/A $1,400 $1,225 $1,050 $850 $775 $650 $525 $400 $300 $250 $200
Add 50% for Target Model.
.38 MILITARY & POLICE (MODEL OF 1905 - 2ND CHANGE) Add to Collection
- .38 S&W Special cal., cylinder barrel lengths, finishes and grip styles same as above. 73,648 (including Model 1905 1st change) mfg. Exact quantity unknown. The second change mfg. in 1908-09. Serial number range unknown-146,899.
Grading 100% 98% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
N/A $1,400 $1,225 $1,050 $850 $775 $650 $525 $400 $300 $250 $200
Add 50% for Target Model.
.38 MILITARY & POLICE (MODEL OF 1905 - 3RD CHANGE) Add to Collection
- .38 S&W Special cal., 6 shot fluted cylinder, 4, 5, or 6 in. barrel, finishes and grip styles same as above. 94,803 mfg. 1909-15. Serial number range 146,900-241,703.
Grading 100% 98% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
N/A $1,400 $1,225 $1,050 $850 $775 $650 $525 $400 $300 $250 $200
Add 50% for Target Model.
.38 MILITARY & POLICE (MODEL OF 1905 - 4TH CHANGE) Add to Collection
- .38 S&W Special cal., 6 shot fluted cylinder, 2, 4, 5, or 6 in. barrel, finishes and grip styles same as above. 458,296 mfg. 1915-42. Serial number range 241,704-approx. 1,000,000.
Grading 100% 98% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
N/A $1,400 $1,225 $1,050 $850 $775 $650 $525 $400 $300 $250 $200
Add 50% for Target Model.
I would try to sell them as a complet set, the gun and holster if I were to sell them, as they are both of the same "Time Period". However someone, might be interested in the holster elsewhere. I would think that you could retrieve between $300.00-400.00 for everything.
IMHO(in my honest opinion), If you have any kids, grand kids, great grand kids, or nephews, or nieces, it would be a great one to get them started with, and just keeping it in the family, and being able to see the look on the young or new shooter's face when they land one in the 10 or X ring, would be worth a million to me.
Best0 -
Thank You all...I passed the information on. My friend was very impressed with the Ask the Experts part of this forum...y'all did the work and I got all the credit...until I showed him how to get here. lol 0
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