S&W 38 Special CTG

[lsusiegel]

I recently inherited an old S&W 38 Special CTG 6 shot revolver from my grandfather and was wondering how old the gun may be. The serial number stamped in the metal part of the handle is 370355. The gun is blued and has a 5" barrel. The following is stamped on the barrel: Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass USA Patented Oct 8, 01. Dec 17, 01. Feb 6, 06. Sept 14, 09. Dec 28, 14.

The gun also has significance to me as it was used in an armed robbery of my grandfather's country store when he was a young man. A gunfight ensued between the robber & my grandfather with the robber coming up on the wrong end of the gun. The robber was killed with 00 buckshot from a 16 gage shotgun after hitting my grandfather in the hand with a round from this 38 special.

My grandfather died last week at the ripe old age of 99 and was always telling the story of the shootout. He was quick to show the gun as his prize for taking a bullet.

Any information about the age and value of this revolver would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks - Mike

 

[ARTiger]

Welcome to THR LSUSiegel. Someone will undoubtedly be along with info on your gun. Great story about your grandfather.

 

[MassMark]

Ditto - I have no information, just appreciated that story and your grandfather's life. I am sorry for your loss, but happy you had such a wonderful role model. I had one too....

 

[pharmer]

Sounds like an old M&P. Standard catalog says 1915 #241704- 1941 #700000. Late '20's early 30's maybe? Extraordinary story attached to that piece, true treasure. Joe

 

[Old Fuff]

Your Grandpa must have been one tough bird...

He has a Smith & Wesson .38 Hand Ejector, Model of 1905, 4th change. It was also known as the Military & Police model, and today we call it the Model 10.

The 4th change series of revolvers were made between 1915 and 1942, within a serial number range running from 241,704 to 999,999. I would estimate your revolver, No. 370,3xx was made around the middle 1920's.

It may have a square butt with checkered walnut stocks, or a round one with black hard-rubber stocks. Checkered walnut stocks on a round butt gun were optional, but are seldom seen. Available barrel lengths were 4, 5, and 6 inches. Standard finishes were blue or nickel plate.

The value of the gun would depend on it's condition. If the story could be documented it would add considerably to the gun's value.

 

[Jim March]

One other thing: not that I suspect you're interested in carrying it on the street, BUT, you should be aware that the automatically engaging safety on that gun isn't as good as post-WW2 models. There was an engineering change to the hammer block system that prevents accidental discharge if the gun is dropped or the hammer struck.

It's not THAT bad but it's not as safe as modern designs. But I suspect this is a non-issue for a gun that means that much to you.

 

[lsusiegel]

Thanks everyone for the information. I appreciate sharing his story. He was indeed a "tough old bird" and a WW2 veteran. He hunted deer, ducks, doves & quail until he was 96!!

Old Fluff - the gun is in fair condition, but needs to be cleaned-up. It has the walnut stock that is more oval shaped than round. Mid 1920's sounds accurate as he was born in 1908 and I think he was in his late teens or early 20's when the incident took place.

 

[TN Trapper]

" I recently inherited an old S&W 38 Special CTG ..."

You may or may not know this but I'll say it just in case. Some folks get confused by the "CTG" part of that line. This is a standard .38 special revolver. The long term would be " Smith and Wesson .38 Special Cartridge". I've read posts from newer shooters asking where they could find "S&W 38 Special CTG" rounds to fire in their revolvers when what they need is found in just about every store that sells ammo; .38 Special. Not trying to sound like a smarta** or a know-it-all, just thought you might want to know that if you didn't already. Enjoy your revolver, it's a classic

 

[Old Fuff]

Jim has a good point - if you carry the revolver loaded rest the hammer on an empty chamber. There is no safer way...

If you can, explore a bit and see if you can find a newspaper account of the robbery. If there is an older relative that remembers the incident (or Grandpa telling the story) interview them with a tape recorder. Any evidence you find will add to the value of the revolver, both to the family and any collector.

If you are interested in documenting the gun, follow these instructions:

If you are really interested in the gun's background, send a description of the revolver with the serial number, a snapshot of it to help in identification, and a $30.00 check made out to Smith & Wesson. Roy Jinks, the company's historian will go through the old records until he finds your gun. He will then send you an official letter describing the model's history, and then the exact details on your gun - including the day it was shipped and to what dealer or destributor. See additional details on www.smith-wesson.com