Help me identify a gift?

[muckdriver]

hey ya'll,
I'm looking for some help identifying a gun that was recently gifted to me from my good old ma, that was my dad's, as far as I can tell; he's dead now, so I can't ask him.
Smith & Wesson

Right side of barrel: 38 S&W. Special CTG., stamped & made in the USA

Serial on the bottom of the handle: C625847

Mother of Pearl inlay handle.

I'm mostly curious as to when the gun was made, anything else interesting & quirky. Someone suggested that the mother of pearl is not original. This is a piece of family history to me, so your help would be really appreciated!

 

[jad0110]

That would be a K Frame based S&W Model 10 (a 10-5 I believe) made between 1963 and 1965, though I'd guess it is a 1963 gun due to the low S/N in that particular sequence. These guns trace their lineage directly back to the 1899 Hand Ejector, and they are still in production today. They were very popular police sidearms throughout the 20th century. The S&W K Frame is probably one of the finest .38 Special platforms ever made, IMHO. I own 2 older "pre" model 10s from 1945 and 47, as well 3 adjustable sight variants known as the Model 14 and 15. I'd love to find a pencil barrel 3" or 4" Model 10 to add to my collection some time. They are wonderful guns, a true pleasure to shoot. And when loaded with quality ammo, quite a formidible defensive arm as handguns go.

The pearl grips would not have been original. Please post pictures if you get a chance!

Oh, and welcome to The High Road.

 

[muckdriver]

Thank you! What a wealth of information. I will post pictures as soon as I'm able.