I would likely just leave it alone and enjoy shooting it. But I see no harm in rebluing the gun. It is not some rare piece and after the re-blue it will still be a good representative piece from that era just like it is now.

 

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'd leave it alone.

The finish shows considerable rust pitting, which, if polished out to give a decent re-blue job, will leave the gun a mush.

Normally I'd re-blue a gun, but there is just not that much to work with.

Bob Wright

 

It has character as is. Enjoy it as is. That's part of the history.

 

Picked up the revolver today, and it needs some work (timing, ejector rod, bolt release parts - thumb button & screw not original ) but I got it at a good price as a C&R, so it's now a winter project.

It does have a smooth trigger with its long action - I'll have to compare it with the newer short action Model 10 when I get home.

As suggested, following tuning it up I'll leave it as it is - well worn for its remaining range service.

Here are a couple more pics.

 

Well done. Now it's a treasure.

 

I bought one just like it. The bore was black with no rifling. I replaced it with a 5" postwar barrel. It was tough to fit it but it worked out OK. The revolver is VERY accurate and it has more blue on the frame and cylinder than yours does.The blue on the barrel is 98%. I lost the revolver to the Wife of a good friend. She fired it at the range and would not give it back.

I would definitely leave yours alone, if the barrel is in good condition.

 

Your revolver is actually a model 1902. It has the round butt. Can you give most of the serial number? If so I can tell you apx. when it shipped.
I rebuild and refinish guns and I can tell you that to reblue that revolver it will far exceed the value. I wouldn't bother to spend the $50 for a letter for it. Most of the time all you will find out is it shipped to some hardware store. Open the sideplate and remove the grips and flush it out with carb cleaner. Use a good oil to lube it. That might take care of most issues. Be careful with the grips because they are easy to break. Don't tighten them down too tight.

 

Thanks Tlay for the help. Serial number is 138xxx. From what I've read it's a second change manufactured about 1908. Any info or confirmation is appreciated.

Do you know if a source for a replacement ejector rod? Mine is bent slightly; u can work on straightening it but a straight replacement part would be good too.

 

There is a big split in the S&W collectors community about what your gun is called. For many anything at that time with a round butt was called a model 1902. And anything with a square butt is a model 1905. According to the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson 3rd. your gun is called a 38 Military and Police model of 1905 2nd change. More than likely it was shipped in 1909.
You need to find the extractor rod with the correct end. Most extractor rods will fit it but the ends changed every so often. I believe yours has a barrel shape. Have you tried fixing yours? Roll it on a very flat surface and mark the high side. I install mine in a tight fitting pipe. Let the marked area stick out. Now use another pipe to gently bend the rod.