The .38 Smith & Wesson Model Military & Police Model of 1905 is the third of Smith & Wesson's .38 Hand Ejector models.^[1] Later models in this series include the .38 Military & Police Victory Model^[2] and the S&W Model 10^[3]. The Model 1905, as with the other .38 Hand Ejector models, is a six-shot revolver built on the Smith and Wesson K frame, with a swing-out cylinder chambered in .38 Special^[4]. At various times throughout its production, it was offered with a round or square butt grip frame; checkered walnut or hard rubber grip stocks; with or without a lanyard ring on the butt; blue, nickel, or chrome (produced in very small quantities) finish; and a barrel length of 2', 4', 5', 6', or 6.5'.^[5] This model had a 'five screw' frame, with four screws holding the side plate and one screw at the front of the trigger guard.^[6]

Variations[edit]

38 Smith And Wesson Serial Number Lookup

A Smith & Wesson.38 Military & Police (Pre Model 10). The 'C' serial number series started at C 1 in 1948, and the shape of the front sight was changed in 1952. So your revolver was made between those years. Late 1940's seems likely. Six-shot, chambered in.38 Special, barrel lengths of 2, 4, 5 and 6 inches. Blue or nickel plate finish. I have a mod 15-3 smith and wesson K-38 its a 6 shot double action has a 2' pinned Barrel and diamond grips i assume was made between 1964-1982 serial on grip is 10K4802 theres another number on cylinder arm 76043 under that is D14. Anyone tell me what these numbers say. Seems like a quick internet search is all that's required to match a serial number to a manufacture date. But not Smith & Wesson. I do realize they weren't good about keeping them in order and that a higher serial number doesn't always mean a later manufacture date. But I can't find any information at all. Smith Wesson Serial Numbers - Sigma Series. Smith Wesson Serial Numbers - SW99. Once you've located the serial number, then you can try to contact Smith and Wesson and see if they can give you an information about your particular gun like date of manufacture or other specific details.

Four minor design changes were made during the production run of the Model 1905, with two, the 1st and 2nd changes, overlapping in manufacture. Additionally, at approximately serial number 316648, the factory began heat treating cylinders.^[7]

.38 Military & Police Model of 1905 - 10,800 manufactured c. 1905 - 1906
.38 Military & Police Model of 1905 1st and 2nd change - 73,648 manufactured c. 1906 - 1909
.38 Military & Police Model of 1905 3rd change - 94,803 manufactured c. 1909 - 1915
.38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change - 758,296 manufactured c. 1915 - 1942

References[edit]

1. ^Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Gun Digest Books. 2006. p. 139.
2. ^Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Gun Digest Books. 2006. p. 142.
3. ^Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Gun Digest Books. 2006. p. 173.
4. ^Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Gun Digest Books. 2006. p. 139.
5. ^Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Gun Digest Books. 2006. pp. 139–140.
6. ^Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Gun Digest Books. 2006. p. 139.
7. ^Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Gun Digest Books. 2006. p. 139.

• Blue Book of Gun Values, 29th Ed., Blue Book Publications Inc.
• Cartridges of the World, 10th Ed., Krause Publications Inc.
• Gun Traders Guide, 28th Ed., Stoeger Publishing Co.
• Article 'S&W's M&P', Guns & Ammo Magazine, Payton Miller, December 23, 2008.

External links[edit]

• Alpha-Catalogue 1911: S & W 1905 (variants, details and salesprices in German-Mark (1911)), Page 161, archive.org.

Smith And Wesson 38 Chiefs Special Serial Number Lookup