1905 Smith & Wesson .38 special

[thumperdogg]

Posting to help a friend out. Don't know anything about it other than what is posted. Anyone have any idea the value?

1905 Smith & Wesson .38 special pre model 10 military and police model. Nickle finish. Only contents are the gun as shown in the pic. Bottom of the grip marked 197108*

He is looking to sell it, but would like to get a good idea of the real value of it. Thanks INGO!

 

[thumperdogg]

where are all the wheel gun guys at?

 

[Leadeye]

I've got a 1905 but have never seen a nickle plated gun.

 

[Disposable Heart]

Rough finish, non-original stocks: $200-250. I know, he's probably expecting more.

Glocks are going to be like these Smiths in a few decades: Millions made, everyone wants a ton for them, but are disappointed when the actual value is lower than they thought.

 

[Birds Away]

A revolver guy friend of mine looked at the picture and said the cylinder latch looks more modern than it should. Me, I just think it's purty.

 

[thumperdogg]

Assuming the nickle is not OEM. I have been told as low as $250 and as high as $750. I have no idea, that is why I am asking. I know nothing about reviolvers and even less about vintage As far as too modern, all we have are the markings on the gun. I was told this could have been made all the way to late 20's early 30's.

 

[Snapdragon]

You might get some more responses on the S&W forum. Smith & Wesson Forum

 

[1775usmarine]

Is there a letter on the bottom of the grip?

 

[Win52C]

I've been shooting / collecting S&W revolvers for over 20 years and I hate to say it but Your looking at the low end. It's been re nickeled for sure. The grips aren't the originals just not much collector value. Plus are you sure it's 38 special? Not 38 S&W? Just a shiny shooter. If you get $250 I'd be surprised. Ask the guy who told you it was worth $750 if he wants to buy it and watch him squirm hehe.

 

[Snapdragon]

A revolver guy friend of mine looked at the picture and said the cylinder latch looks more modern than it should. Me, I just think it's purty.

Yeah, weren't they all flat-latch then?

 

[Win52C]

Yeah, weren't they all flat-latch then?

No, the flat latches were used much later than this gun. And only for a few years, they seem to be universally disliked and were discontinued

 

[indiucky]

Yeah, weren't they all flat-latch then?

Nope...Just the I frames and the J's and that began in 1950 with the Chief's Special.....

Non original nickel (Smith didn't nickel the hammers) and what appears to be 60's era Jay Scott Pearls......$200-$300 depending upon lock up..


IMHO ofcourse

 

[indiucky]

No, the flat latches were used much later than this gun. And only for a few years, they seem to be universally disliked and were discontinued

Except for Massad Ayoob...He loves him some flat latches and said he still carries one every now and again...

 

[thumperdogg]

Is there a letter on the bottom of the grip?

197108*

 

[1775usmarine]

No S or C? I used the S&W forum for my M&P I got at the 1500 this past weekend and learned quite a bit in less than 30 min.

 

[indiucky]

No S or C? I used the S&W forum for my M&P I got at the 1500 this past weekend and learned quite a bit in less than 30 min.

Those guys WRITE the books on Smith and Wesson's....One of the best forums out there (present company excluded ofcourse.)

 

[walt o]

Is the a star after the S/N on the butt of the gun ? It may indicate a factory refinish ,Hammer and trigger /never plated by S&W ,do S/N show up on bottom of barrel under ejector, and on back of cyl? If refinished and mismatched you wouldI be lucky to get $200. I know we all think we have hit the jack pot when we find an old gun,The truth is they need to be near 100% with box or a rare model .That is not what you have .And Do check that it is a 38 Special not a S&W 38

 

[Win52C]

Those guys WRITE the books on Smith and Wesson's....One of the best forums out there (present company excluded ofcourse.)

Indeed. I was a member over there for 5 years. Before I found INGO. Tons of useful information for all things S&W

also, there would be no prefix on this gun 1775usmarine. It's from before they used prefixes. I'll look up production date tonight but I'm sure someone else will beat me to it .

 

[Snapdragon]

Yep, oops on the flat latch. Somewhere along the line of looking for my j-frame, I could swear I saw that pre-1966 models were flat-latch, but they left out (or I didn't see) the 1950 part.

 

[thumperdogg]

Is the a star after the S/N on the butt of the gun ? It may indicate a factory refinish ,Hammer and trigger /never plated by S&W ,do S/N show up on bottom of barrel under ejector, and on back of cyl? If refinished and mismatched you wouldI be lucky to get $200. I know we all think we have hit the jack pot when we find an old gun,The truth is they need to be near 100% with box or a rare model .That is not what you have .And Do check that it is a 38 Special not a S&W 38

yes it is a star after the #