Help needed on vintage .38 S & W CTG.

[Sky Dog]

My late father use to compete with this .38 Special. On the barrel was 38 S & W Special CTG. The "&" is an odd design as well. Beneath the hinge is 7 6 and 115XX. Any ideas of it's model?

 

[Old Fuff]

It's an early S&W pre-model 14, K-38 Masterpiece (sometimes called "Target Masterpiece"). Carefully remove the stocks and you will find the full serial number stamped on the butt, with a letter prefix, "K".

Or you may find it stamped on the bottom of the barrel, above the ejector rod. Swing out the cylinder to see it.

Post the serial number and it can be more closely dated, or for a $50 search fee the exact date it was shipped from the factory, along with other information can be obtained fom the maker.

 

[MikeJackmin]

That's a very nice revolver BTW.

 

[Sky Dog]

Thanks Mike, my grand father made the grips....among other things. BTW Old Fluff. Your right s/n K1098XX is under the ejector rod.

 

[Waveski]

Dog , You are a lucky fellow.

 

[Old Fuff]

Your right s/n K1098XX is under the ejector rod.

Which means your revolver, that was first introduced in 1947, was made in 1951.

In 1957 S&W switched from model names to model numbers; thus your revolver is sometimes called a pre-model 14.

All of this is good, but now look out for all the sharpies (besides me) who try to talk you out of it.

As a side note: I used one in bullseye competition too, starting around 1953.

 

[DPris]

And further, so you'll know, the CTG is an abbreviation for cartridge and part of the caliber designation.
It is not a part of the model designation.
Denis

 

[Sky Dog]

The grips on this are very fragile. I have them on a 44 special and a 22. Both of which were Daddy's comp guns. The wood on the thumb rest will split. I found some double diamonds which I think are the originals. Put these handmade treasures back in the safe.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

The "&" is an odd design as well.

Howdy

Among S&W aficionados that is known as the Lazy Ampersand because of the way it kind of lays down.





And yes, 38 S.&W. SPECIAL CTG is the designation of the cartridge the gun is chambered for. S&W invented the 38 Special, so they like to emphasize that. It is the exact same cartridge as the more commonly designated 38 Special. And CTG stands for cartridge.