Smith & Wesson .38 Military & Police, Model of 1905 4th Change, Nickel, 4-inch Round-Butt Revolver (WWI Era)
This Smith & Wesson .38 Hand Ejector Military & Police, Model of 1905—4th Change, is a WWI-era K-frame revolver with a factory nickel finish, 4-inch barrel, and round-butt grip frame. It features fixed sights, a six-shot fluted cylinder, and a pinned barrel and front sight base. Early-production details, including the absence of the 'MADE IN U.S.A.' and large S&W trade-mark rollmarks, add notable period correctness. Nickel. Military Police.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: There are minor, superficial scratches and blemishes on the nickel finish. The bore is clean and shiny.
What’s Included
- Smith & Wesson factory cardboard box with 'MILITARY 38 POLICE, NICKEL, 4 INCH' end label
This Model of 1905—4th Change .38 Military & Police is a classic K-frame revolver built during the World War I era (serial range aligns with 1917–1919). It wears a nickel finish over carbon steel and pairs a 4-inch barrel with a round-butt grip frame for a well-balanced service configuration. The six-shot fluted cylinder is chambered in .38 Special.
It retains hallmark mechanical features of the period: a pinned barrel and pinned front sight base, fixed sights (half-moon front and topstrap groove rear), and a double-action/single-action lockwork. The ejector rod has the knurled mushroom head with a front lock at the barrel lug, consistent with the 4th Change pattern.
Early-production markings stand out on this example. It follows the pattern that lacks the 'MADE IN U.S.A.' line and the large S&W trade-mark rollmarks typically seen later. These details, combined with the WWI-era production timeframe, underscore its period-correct Military & Police configuration.
Factory-style checkered walnut service stocks with the diamond around the screw and inset S&W medallions complement the round-butt frame. Materials throughout are carbon steel with nickel finish on the frame and cylinder, matching the Military & Police service profile of the time.