S&W serial number search

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wncgunhand

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I inherited my great, great uncle's S&W 38 special revolver. I believe it is a model 1905 with 6" barrel and the serial # is 428738. I have confirmed the serial number matches on the gun butt, cylinder and the flat of the barrel. If someone could help me find the date of manufacture I would appreciate your help as I would like to add this info to the documentation of this gun for future family heirs.
 
If this is a K frame, then according to the S&W catalog, serial number 428738, would have been made 1915-1942 and would have been called the .38 Military and Police Model of 1905 -4th change

Serial number range was 241704-1,000,000 with a total of 758,296 made
 
If it's a 6 shot 38 Special revolver with a swing out cylinder and there ARE NO LETTERS in the serial (amazing how many guys ignore letters but they are important) and the last patent date in 1914 then it sounds like a 1905 4th Change Military & Police Model from the early 1920s. If it has an ejector rod "head" that is larger in diameter than the rod it was made before 1927. If there is no "Smith & Wesson" stamped on right side of frame below the cylinder then it was made before 1922.

This becomes the Model 10 in 1957 when numbers are assigned.
 
Precise production dates for .38 M&P revolvers in the 400,000 to 700,000 serial number range are notoriously difficult to pin down. The reason is that S&W reportedly stockpiled tens of thousands of incomplete frames during the mid to late 1920's, but sales slowed sharply in the 1930s, and the revolvers were assembled out of serial number order. (The concept of "Just in Time" [JIT] production was many decades in the future; in the late 19th and early 20th century, it was not uncommon for a profitable company to use its surplus cash to stockpile enough parts to continue the current production rate for several years going forward.)

If you want a more precise date than sometime between the mid 1920's and early 1940's, you can send a Firearm History Request to S&W. There is a $50 fee, and it's commonly reported that the letters usually take a few months to arrive.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...4_750001_750051_757825_-1_757814_757812_image
 
Thanks to both BigD and Saxon for the info

Thanks for the info guys! As I stated, I checked all 3 serial numbers (matching) and there is no alpha character. Saxon, the ejector rod head is larger that the rod and there is no S & W stamp under the cylinder so it appears it is a 1905 Military/Police pre-1922. The information pretty much coincides with family info. He passed away in 1951 at the age of 92. He worked as a security guard in the 20's and 30's and was issued the pistol at that time. I know its a tough task without seeing it in person but would anyone venture a guess on value? It hasn't been fired a lot and there is metal is in good shape. I'm going to say that about 65-70% of the bluing remains most worn off from wear in the holster (which is original also). Any guesses on value would be appreciated too! Thanks again guys....
 
One other thing...

SaxonPig said:
If there is no "Smith & Wesson" stamped on right side of frame below the cylinder then it was made before 1922.
Click to expand...
SaxonPig, I think you've got the markings mixed up.

Around 1920-1922, S&W started marking the RH side of the frame under the cylinder with MADE IN U.S.A. Around this same time, the intertwined S&W trademark logo was moved from the LH side of the frame under the cylinder release latch to the sideplate on the RH side, and it was made much larger. (Some transitional guns have logos on both sides, or have no logo at all, just to confuse collectors I think. ;))

Around 1948, the large MADE IN U.S.A. marking was replaced with the currently-used four-line MADE IN U.S.A. - MARCAS REGISTRADAS - SMITH & WESSON - SPRINGFIELD, MASS. marking, in smaller text.
 
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