Make: Smith & Wesson

Model: Military & Police

Serial Number: 518974

Year of Manufacture: 1915-1942 (Trigger guard screw present)

Caliber: .38 Special

Action Type: Single / Double Action, Swing-Out Fluted Cylinder With Hand Ejector Revolver

Barrel Length: 5” Pinned

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a half circle blade machined into the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch channel machined into the top of the frame. 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are custom two-piece genuine mother of pearl grips with what appear to be real 19th century “Indian Princess Head” US $1 gold coins as medallions. The grips have no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good Condition as not original to the gun. Also included is a pair of period but not serial-matching to the revolver Smith & Wesson two-piece checkered walnut Magna grips with “S&W” silver-colored medallions at their tops and “smooth diamonds” around the grip screw escutcheons. Those extra grips do not have a retention screw.

Type of Finish: Blued, Case hardened trigger and hammer

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is defined. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9.5/10. 

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 98% of its current metal finish. The trigger guard has some light scuffs and thinning of the finish. There is light pitting that has been reblued on the top strap and under the cylinder. The cylinder has a visible but thin turn line. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. The trigger serrations are sharp, and the hammer spur checkering is defined. The checkering in the cylinder release is sharp. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good Condition as Refinished.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up well on each chamber with very little side-to-side play. The double action is smooth, the single-action trigger is crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The extra set of S&W Magna walnut “diamond” pistol grips as mentioned previously.

Our Assessment: The name Smith & Wesson has been synonymous with finely crafted American made firearms since 1852. In 1899, Smith & Wesson introduced what would become the quintessential police handgun of the twentieth century, the K frame Military & Police chambered in .38 Special. With its solid frame carbon steel construction and 6-round capacity, it emerged as a symbol of simplicity, reliability, durability, and accuracy. Small improvements were made over the ensuing century, though the basic design remained much the same, and it’s still considered by many to be among the finest personal defense or police handguns ever made.

This Smith & Wesson .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change was made between 1915-1942 and is in Very Good Condition as Refinished. It features a 5” barrel, 98% of its re-blued finish, with the trigger and hammer re-case hardened, an extra set of S&W Magna walnut “diamond” pistol grips, and a bright bore with defined rifling. This revolver has been rescued, reblued, and dressed up with genuine mother of pearl grips with real 19th century “Indian Princess Head” US $1 gold coins as medallions. As General Patton would say, with its pearl grips, this beauty would’ve been fit for a New Orleans “maquereau”.