Question about antique .38 caliber Reloading and Casting tools

[lts70]

I inherited my grandfathers 1902 S&W .38special M&P revolver. I am going to make a display case for it to house the gun, holster, and history/photos. I also want to make an extra drawer for a set of period correct casting and reloading hand tools, the small hand held type. How hard are these to come by? What type should I be looking for to match the gun. Here is a link to pictures and story of the gun.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/197675-grandpas-s-w-38-special-military-police-2nd-model-model-1902-a.html

Thanks for any help!

[Bent Ramrod]

You can probably get an Ideal No. 3 or No. 4 tong tool in .38 Special (often stamped ".38 S&W M.") for fifty bucks or so on EBay or at a gun show. The drive-in-and-out full length sizing die shouldn't cost more than $10. An Ideal mould for the standard .38 roundnose shouldn't be too expensive; they are all over the place.

A later 310 tool with the proper dies should be less than $50, but it isn't really "period" for your revolver. However, that tool functions the same as the ones above.

On the other hand, if you want the mould and reloading tools that Smith and Wesson briefly made, prepare yourself for a long and expensive search.

[Grump]

1902 model or made IN/about 1902?

The "period" of the revolver could be much later, like 1930s-still in LRN territory though, 1950s through 1957 when they started calling it the Model 10. The one I had was a Model 10, a late 1960s-or so vintage police trade-in. Don't miss it that much since I like the .357 so much...

Besides the serial number, the period can be placed by front sight design (including width), barrel contour, grips if original, and a few other details which I do not remember.

That said, it has been common enough for shooters to use reloading equipment of older vintage than their firearms.

[cajun shooter]

The 38 M&P of 1902 was the second model and the civilian models had a barrel stamping that was marked 38 S&W Special & US Service CTG'S with the Maltese Cross emblem stamped before and after the caliber.they made about 12, 827 of the model. the serial number range ran from about 20,976-33,803 These revolvers in around 98% condition can bring over $ 1,500 to $2,000 A Navy model will fetch $5,000 and even the later models are worth nice sums of money. Later David

[Char-Gar]

An ideal No. 1 tool would include the bullet mold.

A handgun in a display case would be hard to shoot. I hope you have means of removing it with easy so it can fulfill it's destiny. I have several pre-WWI Smith and Wesson Hand Ejectors in 38 Special that still make regular trips to the range.

A good 150 to 160 cast round nose (I use Lyman 311358) over 3.5/Bulleye will shoot to the sights and not wear the gun.

You have a fine old pistol with a good history that makes it a treasure to you.