Dad's 38 S. & W. SPECIAL CTG

[WTSReal]

I recently found my 84 years young Dad's 38 S. & W. SPECIAL CTG while cleaning out his closet. I know nothing about the history of this gun, except what I have read on your informative site. I have included a few pictures to help with IDing the gun and perhaps some history on it. I do plan to fill out the form to have S & W ID it for me too. My Dad served in the Army in 1945 and I thought it might be a weapon that he was issued, or purchased after the war, but I do not know for sure. Unfortunately my Dad suffered a stroke 4 years ago and has no recollection about the Gun.. any help will be appreciated.

The numbers : S 978924 appear on the butt of the square handle, the inside of the grips (Walnut and Checkered), the back rim of the 6 shot cylinder. (note, there is quite a bit of space between the letter "S" and the first number of the serial number.)

Last Patent Date is Dec 29 14

Barrel Length is 4"

Blued Finish

S&W Logos on handles are Silver Finish

Screw at the Front of the Trigger Guard

I included photos that show the front sight and hammer

Thanks in advance for any reply and help. Bill

 

[waidmann]

Purchased after the war, but not too long after. Run this data on the S&W DOB thread in revolvers if one of the real experts doesn't respond here. The S indicates the safety modification applied to later Victory models, but it is part of the SN#. It is very definately a post war M&P long action and you are a lucky guy.

(also)Bill

 

[WTSReal]

Thanks Bill for the response.....I am truly "Lucky" to have this because it was my Dad's...is it a "rare" find today? I thought that the S was for the modified Hammer. Bill

 

[Jim K]

The "S" was originally added to Victory Model serial numbers (in addition to the "V") to indicate the new type hammer block that would more postitively prevent the gun from firing if it were dropped on the hammer. About March 1945, S&W stopped military production and resumed civilian production. They dropped the "V" but kept the "S" to avoid duplication of numbers with pre-Victory model production. They went to S999,999 in 1948, so your dad's gun was probably made that year or the year before.

Those guns are not rare, but you have a good, solid gun as well as a priceless treasure.

Jim

 

[waidmann]

As predicted one of the real experts had your answer! I have guns going to back to my great grandfathers, they are a joy and I remind myself that I am merely the current custodian. Your gun is very rare and extremely valuable; irreplaceable in fact.

Happy 2011

Bill

 

[WTSReal]

Jim, thank you for the info on the gun. That helps!

Bill, I agree, Irreplaceable, and true, I am merely the current custodian!

You have a Happy 2011 too my new friend.

Bill

 

[Radagast]

A little more info: The Standard Catalog of S&W gives the first .38 Military & Police with the new short action hammer as serial number S990184 on 11/13/1950.
It also notes the first 'K38'with the short action as possibly being serial number S924874 on 10/21/47.
Based on the above I'm inclined to believe your gun is from 1950 and is one of the last batch of transitional guns, incorporating both pre and post war features.
Monetary value is not high as there were several million M&Ps made, but the value as a shooter is high. The old long action gave a much smoother double action pull than the new short action, the hammer block safety made it safe to carry fully loaded and with 50 years of development behind it the steel quality is good enough to shoot PlusP rated ammo through it. Member Saxon Pig has has tried to shoot loose a gun of similar vintage
with large numbers of hot loads without success.
Avoid +P+ marked ammo though, as there is no industry standard for this and it may be slightly downloaded .357 magnums

 

[WTSReal]

Guys, Roy Jinks from S & W sent a letter indicating that "My Dad's S & W 38 Special CTG" was shipped from the factory on March 13, 1948 to Piedmont Hardware Co in Danville, VA. Thanks for your interest! Bill

 

[waidmann]

Bill,
Thanks for closing the loop!

Bill

 

[rcmodel]

FYI:

CTG is only the abbreviation for Cartridge.

As in .38 S&W Special Cartridge it is chambered for.

It has nothing to do with the name or model of your revolver.

As already mentioned, yours is a post war Military & Police Model, which later became the Model 10 M&P.

rc