2 S&W .38spl no model M&P Pre Mod10 ???

[Rack]

HELP!!!
I have recently aquired a 4" S&W revolver. It has no model number, but it is marked with 38 S. & W. Special CTG on the right side of the barrel, made in U.S.A. lower right side and S&W trade mark on the right side plate. On the left side of the barrel is marked SMITH & WESSON. On the top of the barrel is the address and patent numbers. The sites are fixed front large blade type, the rear is notch type cut into the top strap. The grips are checkered wood square. The trigger is grooved. The serial number on the botton of the frame is C (forward on the grip frame) 2289. Can someone give me the approximate date of manufacture and the correct model if any. Any other info or history would be appreciated.

I also aquired another S&W revolver, all the same info as the above, except has a 6 inch barrel, a brass lanyard ring in the front bottom of the grip frame. It has a serial number of S912945.

Thanks in advance....Rack

 

[Old Fuff]

Welcome to the High Road.

Your first S&W .38 revolver, serial number C-2289 is a "pre-model 10" Militaty & Police model that was made in 1948.

The second one, serial number S-912945 is actually earlier production, as it was made around 1946 and probably has S&W's much admired pre-war "long action." Look for fine checkering on the hammer. The brass lanyard ring is probably not original to the gun.

 

[Rack]

Thanks Old Fuff.

On the second revolver mentioned, it does have fine checkering on the hammer. Could this be a .38-200, an unmarked "Victory" model? The lanyard ring looks like it was original and seems "heavy duty". Is it possible it is original. I can not find any info on either of these revolvers and am not ready to pay for a history from S&W just yet. Again, I thank you in advance for your time, assistance and knowledge.

 

[FPrice]

Could this be a .38-200, an unmarked "Victory" model? The lanyard ring looks like it was original and seems "heavy duty".

Check the right side of the barrel for the caliber. If it says ".38 S&W Ctg" (no Special or Spl after the S&W), it might be.

But the chances of it being an unmarked "Victory" model are very slim. The serial number puts it about 100,000 guns after the end of the "Victory" series and well into the post-war Military & Police range. While S&W has had a reputation of using parts out of sequence and using up older parts on newer production guns it would probably be very unlikely that this is the case with your revolver.

Why don't you check under the grips and see if there are any markings on the grip frame which might indicate a return to the factory for work. Evidence would be a set of number like "1-50" where the "1" indicates January and the "50" stands for the year 1950.

Unfortunately the only way to find out with any degree of certainty is to get a history letter from Mr. Jinks.

 

[Rack]

Thanks for your posts. I will continue to research both of these revolvers for their historical value and not for their monitary value (which is on the low side anyway) I do not plan on relocating these to a new residence anytime soon.
Rack

 

[Old Fuff]

FPrice's post contained a lot of good points. The only person that can really clear up the questionable issues is Roy Jinks at Smith & Wesson, and finding out the background of your revolvers for $30.00 each might well prove to be worthwhile.

Smih & Wesson offered lanyard loops as a special-order option, except on militry orders where they were usually standard. But they were made of steel, not brass, and mounted in the center of the butt. However on some occasions they did mount rings in the back (not front) as you described. An example would be model 10 revolvers ordered by the Royal Hong Kong Police.

At this point I suspect that a former owner had the ring instlled, and the gunsmith put it at the front so as to not remove any part of the serial number.

Your 6" pre-model 10 is what is called a "transitional." They were made using left-over WW-2 parts, and have both pre-war and post-war features. Use the forum's search feature with the key words "Smith & Wesson," and "transitional," and you should find several interesting threads about this sub-model. They are difficult to find in the 6" barrel length, and I believe yours is the first to be reported on The High Road.

 

[Rack]

Thanks again,
Looks like I will sending for a history from S&W on both of these pieces. You have peeked my intrest from mear curiosity to a need to know. It would be even better if I have located a "hard to find" 6" model. But even if I don't, I have found 2 clean well kept pieces of American know how.
Rack