Smith and Wesson .38 Special Identification

[1fixitman]

Hello all,
My step father gave me a .38 special before he passed away. He never told me much about it. I know he did some smithing and bluing in his younger years. He also did some work for the CIA for a period of time that I never knew about until he passed and my mother told me about it.
I have to measure the barrel when I get home. I believe it is 6 inches. It is a steel model, 6 shot revolver. The finish looks kinda brown and steel looking. There is no rust on it. It has fixed sights on the front and rear. The firing pin is located on the hammer. It is extremely accurate. The number stamped on the bottom of the frame is " C 204635"
There is also some numbers stamped on the frame if I open the revolver section. This sequence is located just in front and above the trigger guard on the frame and is only visible with the revolver open. The sequence is 5 N with the numbers 54271 under the 5 N.
If anyone is so inclined I would enjoy some type of history as to who may have used this weapon, the time period and if you are so inclined some type of value that can be placed upon it. I will never sell it as it is the only thing I have that he gave me before he passed. I know someone out there is very knowledgable about these older models. I want to reload 148/152 grain Double ended wad cutters for this model. I know I have shot at least 700 rounds thru it at the range over last year since he passed.
Thank you for your time on this thread and thank you for reading.
Dwayne
Augusta, GA

[SlamFire1]

Need pictures. Both sides of the revoler. Lots of S&W models.

[ripsaw]

Yes, pics would be nice, you know you can call S&W and give them the serial number and they will tell you when it was manufactured, I have some reference sheets printed or saved, if I find them will make note of # and let you know, good luck.

[Ron James]

The serial number falls with in the 1948 to the 1951 range. The light weight Model 12 was introduced in 1951 but 6 inch barrels are stated to be rare and seem to be non existent. So that leaves the best bet, a 6 inch Model 10 AKA the Military and Police. The numbers under the cylinder and crane are simply assembly numbers and mean nothing. The Military and Police { Model 10 } has been in production since 1899, one of the most made firearms in history and used by both law enforcement and military almost from day one. There is no way to tell the specify history on any one firearm. A letter from Smith and Wesson { 50 dollars } will outline the configuration of the gun when it left the factory, the date and the first address it was sent to { In most cases a hardware store }, other than that, I don't think you are going to find much.

[Oro]

If it's steel, six shot, fixed sight, and with that s/n, then it's a Military & Police model almost certainly. 4, 5, and 6" barrels were common then (that s/n is about 1951 I think, maybe 1950?). Measure from the front of the cylinder to the muzzle and it should be close to one of those even "whole-inch" lengths.

For a value, it would require pictures and then depend upon the condition and the grips (authentic or not and condition). A range would be $200 to $400 most likely, from "average" to "exceptional."

The load you mentioned should shoot well, or also 148gr LSWC's are extremely accurate out of them, also.

[1fixitman]

Here are the pictures. Hope the links work well. It is exactly 4 inches from end of barrel to the cylinder front face.

http://static.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_sl...ial%2Ffeed.rss
http://s252.photobucket.com/albums/h.../38%20special/

[Oyeboten]

Hi 1fixitman,



Looks like a 3-1/2 inch Barrel to me.


Very likable old 'M&P'...and, a very appealing size-configuration with that Barrel length.


Stocks appear to be of a later kind...no 'Diamond' around the Screw Escutcheon.


Very high Quality Revolvers, the old M&Ps.