38 S&W Help

[jgreen]

I have an older Smith & Wesson that is my fathers and was his grandfathers gun whenever he was a sheriff. I'd like to find out any and all information about this gun if possible and if it has any value. I'm not looking to sell it at all, just curious.

Steel Pistol
Blued
Fixed Sights
38 S&W. SPECIAL CTG is stamped on the side of the barrell
MADE IN U.S.A. is stamped on there as well as the trademark logo

Serial number on the butt of the gun reads 594776
Serial number on the underside of the barrell above the ejector pin has a
B 594776 but the B is quite a distance from the numbers. Also whenever i open up the magazine 57803 is stamped in there.

Thanks for the help.

 

[XavierBreath]

Welcome to THR.

It appears you have a Smith & Wesson Model of 1905 4th change, commonly known as a Military & Police revolver.

Value on old guns is very subjective to condition. It's hard to appraise your gun without actually holding it, and without even a photo, it is near impossible. In poor condition, your revolver is worth about $100. In pristine condition, if it has a rare barrel length and the right collectors are present, it can run near $500.

Hopefully the "odd" number is actually stamped inside the yoke. If so, it is an assembly number, not a serial number. There should be a third, matching serial number on the rear of the cylinder. I assume this is what you are referring to as a "magazine." If you remove the grips, you will likely find the serial number stamped or written in pencil inside one grip. It should match the others.

These old M&P revolvers are excellent shooters, assuming the bore is still good, and the craftsmanship that went into them is a lost art. You can safely shoot .38 special ammo in your gun, but have a gunsmith check it out first. Stay away from +P ammo.

Here is one of my M&Ps, in nickel, from about the same era.

 

[Old Fuff]

The serial number dates from about 1928 to '30. If you want to learn more exact information, including the original finish and barrel length as well as to what month/day/year it was shipped, and to what dealer or distributor; Go to www.smith-wesson.com and read the section concerning historical letters. The fee for this research is $30.00, but it is money well spent if it's a handed-down family gun.

 

[darkside555]

I need help with an old 38 S&W SPECIAL CTG

Hi All,
I have an old revolver 38 Smith & Wesson Special CTG
the Serial number is C3209##.

More info:
Barrell length 4", 6 rounds, Fixed Sights, Nickel finish.

The label on the right side says
"MADE IN U.S.A.
MARCAS REGISTRADAS
SMITH & WESSON
SPRINGFIELD, MASS"

Below the logo on the right side says:
Trade mark
REG.U.S.PAT.OFF

The grip is made of wood with a diamont pattern and finger slots.
Could you give some information about the fabrication year, model or name, etc.

Thanks to you all in advance.

 

[Old Fuff]

Welcome to The High Road... Yes, we have answers.

You have a Smith & Wesson .38 Military & Police (Pre-Model 10) made around 1955. Factory nickel plate isn't rare, but it is scarce. As it didn't come with finger-grooved stocks I suspect the ones you have are replacements, but remove them from the frame and see if the gun's serial number is stamped in the wood on the underside. Prior to the adoption of semi-automatic pistols this revolver was "the" mainstay as a police sidearm, and it is still highly regarded.