Another .38 S&W thread,do you know?

[gunsmith]

My brother found a gun in the back of a police storage room,being the President of the local PBA he was allowed to buy it.
Neither him nor I know alot about old revolvers.
This particular gun was allegedly used for the target team.
It says .38 S&W special ctg USA marcas registradas.
He's guessing it's from the 40's or 50's.
Would it be safe to shoot? It's in good condition,how much is it worth?
Is .38 S&W different from .38 S&W special ?
I'm waiting for a pic.
oh yeah,the serial # is 237xxx

THANKS!

 

[Lone Star]

May I respectfully suggest that you change your board name? Clearly, you are no gunsmith if you have to ask this VERY basic question.

You probably have an S&W M&P or K-38, the target version.

Does the gun have the medium frame? Target sights, or fixed?

Open the cylinder. If it was made after 1957, the model number will be stamped on the frame. If before, if it's a six-shot item on a medium frame, it will be one of the above.

If you can post a photo, that will cinch it, but the possibilities are limited.

Most handgun books that cover the spectrum of pistol history will tell you, or you can get one of the specialized Smith & Wesson books.

OR: post at www.smith-wesson.com and someone will probably post photos and ask, "Is this it?" It will probably be "it". Some members there have EVERYTHING S&W!

Lone Star

 

[gunsmith]

lone star

you certainly got that right! I am far from being a "gunsmith"
I got that handle on another forum and kept it because it seems to annoy the anti's...thanks for your answer btw...I've been thinking about changing my handle because then I could be non-anon,I've recieved death threats b4,lots of folks in the "SF internet community" would love to get their hands around my neck,so the gunsmith handle may be retired soon.

 

[Josey]

I feel that you have a S&W K-38 Combat or Target. These were called Masterpieces. I guess pre-57 due to the 38 S&W Special caliber designation. It should use standard 38 Special ammunition. Is the front sight a half moon or ramped? Square or round butt? Wide target hammer and trigger? I guess a K frame S&W is always worth $150.00.

 

[Jim March]

It's confusing, but the proper name for "38spl" is "38 Smith And Wesson Special", yet, "38S&W" *without* the "special" is a different caliber.



Anyways, if "Special" is in there, that's what ya got. Same thing for Colt "Police Positives" - if "special" is in there it can shoot 'em.

Whatever variant it is, due to the age it should probably NOT take any +Ps. If you MUST press it into service as a defense gun, the gentlest "+Ps" will be the Winchester 158grain lead semi-wadcutter hollowpoint +P (LSWC-HP+P). These tend to be easy to find and will offer good performance in that gun.

 

[C.R.Sam]

237xxx

I think not K38...combat or target.
Earlier.

Could be .38 Military And Police Model 1905, 3rd Change.
94,803 manufactured tween 1909 and 1915. That number would put it close to 1915.

If it is a target (factory) model, worth premium price.

I wouldn't shoot anything but mild to moderate target loads. .38 Special.

Sam

 

[gunsmith]

Thanks,I am waiting for email pics

from my bro in NY,I am glad it takes .38spl as he sold one to his friend to keep in his house for defense.
Unfortunatly he didn't save one for me...

 

[Jim March]

Sam! Good to see you!

Yes, it should take a SMALL diet of +P, and then only the milder unjacketed variants.

 

[Josey]

Hmmmm? A S&W Model of 1905. Could be. I can't see a PD keeping some around for all these years though. WWII M&P models are possible. I simply think the pistol must be more recent. A Model 10 is possible. I wonder how many PDs have "old guns" just collecting dust somewhere?

 

[Hutch]

Well, unless 'Smith missed a beginning letter in his serial number, it's definitely pre-model-number, pre-WWII. Love to see a pic of it.

 

[gunsmith]

There is a number on the cylinder

it doesn't match the serial number.
Also I am waiting for pics,I guess my bro is either working,or camping he isn't answering the phone or checking email.

 

[Old Fuff]

If this is an older S&W revolver the number on the rear face of the cylinder should match the one on the butt. I haven't jumped into this because as of now there isn't enough information to make a positive identification. It is most likely a model 1905 Hand Ejector (Military & Police) model of some kind. A picture will make positive identification much more probable.

 

[thatguy]

1: Six shots or five?

2: Adjustable rear sight or fixed? (A simple groove is fixed.)

There are dozens of S&W .38 Special models. More info is needed to ID. About 99% of the time these "what revolver do I have?" questions turn out to involve the Military & Police (M&P) which became the Model 10 in 1957. The serial will be stamped on the butt between the grips. If there is a letter in front of the numbers it is a part of the serial. Some people ignore it but it makes a big difference.

I will bet it looks very much like this one: