Guns International #: 103000333
Seller's Inventory #: M25-

Category - Smith & Wesson Revolvers - Military & Police - Smith & Wesson Revolvers

Category
Smith & Wesson Revolvers - Military & Police
Smith & Wesson Revolvers

Vintage 5-Screw Smith & Wesson SA/DA Military & Police Revolver in .38 Special * Target Hammer & Superb Action *


Description:
     This is a very handsome late1940's to early 1950's vintage 5-screw Smith & Wesson Model of 1905 Military & Police revolver chambered in .38 Special.  The Model of 1905 Military & Police revolver, as well as all of the variations manufactured over the years, is one of the foundational guns that helped make S&W a household name.  Designed for police officers and military service, it was designed to be as simple, reliable, and as easy to operate as possible.  It was "over-built" to handle the anticipated rough service, severe environmental conditions, and a lack of maintenance when in the field.  It proved itself able to resist damage and mechanical wear/failure that caused failures in lessor guns of similar design from other manufacturers.  It is widely considered one of the best DA/SA revolvers ever designed, and it's huge commercial success combined with the widespread adoption by police forces all over the U.S. ensured the company's financial well-being for decades.  The vast majority of Model of 1905 M&P revolvers were chambered in .38 Special, although there are other chambering out there.  The basic features of the M&P are a 6-shot swing-out cylinder, a K-size frame with a round or square butt, an array of barrel lengths and barrel weights, multiple grip options, and fixed combat sights or adjustable target sights.  The M&P quickly became well-known for it's reliable, smooth, hand-tuned action, which made firing the gun accurately easier, regardless of whether it was fired in single or double-action.  S&W has offered the gun in a gloss blue finish or a Nickel plated factory finish for many decades, and as Stainless steel gained popularity, S&W offered the M&P (later called the Model 10) in Stainless, although it was called the Model 64. 
     This particular example still has it's original 6" inch, standard-weight barrel, and it still retains it's original factory gloss blue finish, which is in very beautiful condition with only very minor deductions.  It is one of the more sought-after 5-screw models, which was later reduced to 4 screws, and then 3 screws, as the design was changed to make it less expensive and faster to manufacture.  When this one was made, S&W made sure that each revolver was as assembled and fit-together as perfectly as possible, and each gun was hand-tuned and test-fired for as long as it took to get the "feel" of the action just-right.  If a part was blemished or visibly imperfect, it was expertly repaired or scrapped and replaced, and if it would not shoot an accurate group, it was sent back to be made right. This is apparent when looking at this one, and even more so when handling it.  As previously mentioned, the original finishes on this Smith are very handsome, and the deductions from the condition are mainly due to the thinning of the blue finish on the sides of the barrel at the muzzle-end, almost surely from being carried or stored in a leather holster, and from the thinning of the blue finish on the bottom of the trigger bow.  The grip straps, typically the first place to show finish wear, are in excellent condition overall.  The original case colors on the hammer and trigger still show some nice color, with only slight graying and fading in the more exposed spots of the parts.  The hammer in this M&P is a "target" type, probably added by a prior owner, but it is possible it was factory installed,  The original grips are serial-numbered to the gun on the right grip, as-is proper, and they are both in excellent condition overall.  They are free from any cracks, repairs, major damage, or wear. They fit the grip frame perfectly and the checkering, medallions, and escutcheon are all in great shape.  The mechanics in this revolver are in perfect working order, and as-expected, the action is buttery-smooth and perfectly in-time.  The trigger pull is smooth and fairly light, and in single action operation the trigger breaks cleanly and crisply. The bore in this gun is mirror-bright and like-new with sharp, well-defined rifling with no pitting or visible damage of any kind.  The 6 chambers are just as clean and bright and the barrel.
    If you have been looking for a classy, reliable, and consistently-accurate vintage revolver for any combination of self-defense, plinking, or "punching paper" at the range, you would be hard-pressed to find another revolver better suited to to those things than this one is.  Unlike the new production stuff, this one should actually appreciate in value as long as you take care of it.  You also will not be able to find another modern revolver that has such a superb-feeling action.  

Price: $595.00

Curio/Relic: Yes
Handgun Caliber: .38 Special
Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson
Model: Military & Police (Pre-Model 10)
Serial Number: C420972
Condition: Very Good
Metal Condition: Very Good
Wood Condition: Very Good
Bore Condition: Excellent
Action: SA / DA Revolver
Finish: Original Factory Gloss Blue
Sights: Fixed Iron Sights
Manufacture Date: Late 1940's to e
Grips: Factory Diamond Checkered Walnut