S&W 38 5in Blue Stamped US

[Hagen442]

I need help trying to ID this Jewel.

3 Screw Version

"US" Stamped on left side below cylinder

Barrell stamped 38 S&W SPECIAL CTG.

6 Digit Serial #Stamped on Butt Plate & Bottom of Barrell under Ejecter Rod.

5 Digit number stamped where I would normaly look for the Model Number.

SMITH & WESSON stamped on left side of barrell

SMITH & WESSON trade mark on right side in usual position on frame.

The gun looks like a K-38 or Model-10 with non standard Sights


Micrometer Rear Sight with Partridge Type front Sight

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Robin Dame

 

[Master Blaster]

Sounds like a model 14 / K38 match target model, maybe for service competition. Does it have a model number inside the yoke, 5", is there a fourth screw on the front of the trigger guard.
Partridge front sights are for target shooting.

 

[XavierBreath]

Ok, here are the oddities........

Model numbers appeared in 1957.
Three screw frames appeared in 1961.
The sights sound like a six inch barreled Target Masterpiece.

Does this revolver have a slotted screw in the front of the triggerguard? If so, it is a four screw model, and can be pre-1957, or pre-model number.

What is the barrel measurement from muzzle to cylinder? If it is six inches, keep reading. If it is indeed five inches, then you have a rare bird.

If you are holding a four screw revolver with a 6 inch barrel, then I suspect you have a K-38 Target Masterpiece made between 1955 and 1957. You were simply missing the fourth triggerguard screw and measured the barrel incorrectly. These are common errors of people new to S&W revolvers. The stamping of the serial number under the rejector rod also leads me to believe this is a pre-1957 gun.

If the triggerguard screw is not present, then this is a post-1961 gun and all bets are off. In that case, it could be a Model 14 without the model number stamp. If the barrel is truely five inches with a partridge front sight, it is a special order or reworked gun. (It could still be a pre-1961 gun with a welded up triggerguard screw hole, but one must question the liklihood and why of it all.....)

The US stamping is curious, and non-definitive of anything without further documentation.

 

[XavierBreath]

From John Henwood: Since WWII, the US Military reputedly purchased over 133,000 M&P and Model 10 revolvers. These wear a regular blue finish, magna stocks, and are stamped "US" or US ARMY" on the left side, underneath the cylinder.

So,at least there is documentation of this type of stamping on S&W revolvers.

 

[ugaarguy]

BODAME, If you can post pics that would also be most helpful for identification. Not that I'll be any help IDing it, it would just make it easier for Xavier and Fuff to do so. And I'm curious because it sounds like you have a very interesting K Frame Smith....Ok, I admit it the eye candy would be nice too

 

[Old Fuff]

Since WWII, the US Military reputedly purchased over 133,000 M&P and Model 10 revolvers. These wear a regular blue finish, magna stocks, and are stamped "US" or US ARMY" on the left side, underneath the cylinder.

Yes indeed... but they had fixed sights and 4" barrels.

A suggestion was made about bullseye match revolvers. They bought those too, but with 6" barrels.

The Old Fuff is going to wait untill we have more information, and hopefully a picture...