S&W 1905 4th Change

[toro1]

I just picked up a S&W 1905 4th Change (S/N 427XXX) that looks to be original although it is definitely showing its age. In removing the grips it looks like one has the S/N written on it in pencil and there is nothing on the other. Is the handwritten S/N original or was it put there by someone else who was working on it during its life?
I will be taking it out later today to see how it shoots, but the bore looks pretty clean so I am hoping it is a good shooter.

TIA

[highpower]

On the early S&W's the serial was often hand written on the left grip.

[beerman]

When I was 17 I was helping my folks clean out the old house of my dads aunt who had passed. To enlist my help, my dad said I could keep anything interesting I found...well after dumping a century old delapidated dresser into the roll off, I looked back at the (now) upside down dresser and noticed a piece of cardboard stapled to the bottom of the dresser lid. So I jump in the dumpser to investigate and ripped off the lumpy cardboard and what do I find? A blue cardboard box with the S&W logo on the end and in the box laid a bright shiney brand new 1905 M&P and six green bullets.
Claiming my find, I show it to the folks and it was quickly confiscated with the lame excuse that I was to young to own a revolver. The gun has been preserved in its new condition in my mothers nightstand now for 45 years (with the box and pamphlet) I had it dated by S/N to 1930.Mom assures me I will regain ownership someday. There it is, my only gun find story.

[toro1]

Thanks Highpower. Mine is on the right grip, but I'm sure it varied at times.



Beerman,
I think its about time they gave you your loot.

[Sauermonkey]

S&W .38 SPL 1905 4th change

Does it look like this one? Mine dates to 1925.

[toro1]

inadvertent double post

[toro1]

Sauermonkey,
For the most part it does, but the grips are different and do not go as high as yours, and most of the bluing is gone. I'll get some pics up shortly.


What is the piece between your grips and the trigger guard? I shot mine today and think I could use some bigger grips, but maybe what you have there would the trick. Can you provide a partial S/N so I can try to date mine?

[toro1]

A couple of pics from when I put it in jail. She is a bit rough, but the bore looks great.

[Sauermonkey]

toro 1 yes my original grips are the same as yours but they suck for any kind of accuracy or speed shooting I replaced them with S&W magna stocks with a tyler T-grip adapter which is also keeping with the period of the gun. and yes the stock grips were usually serialed to the gun on the inside written in pencil mine were also.

[Sauermonkey]

here a view from the back

[Sauermonkey]

BTW way these old Smiths had long double action pull, which is noted for its smoothness and accuracy at speed.

[Mustang]

I've got a 6" 4th change .38 hand ejector. The double action is quite smooth and it is very accurate. Serial 5042xx ---1925 vintage.

The bluing is actually shinier and nicer than the photos suggest.

[Sauermonkey]

the six inch really gets the .38 special off its knees but from what I have seen the 5'' and 4 '' are the more common barrel lengths nice smith

[Mustang]

the six inch really gets the .38 special off its knees but from what I have seen the 5'' and 4 '' are the more common barrel lengths nice smith

Thanks, SM

Going to the range with one of my sons today and intend to shoot this one and a few other S&W's.