S&W .38 Spc CTG

[JTram]

I have a S&W .38 Spc CTG (information on right side barrel) which I believe is nickel plated and with a pair of pearl grips.

It has a 6 inch barrel. I don't have a picture ready to be posted yet but can get one i-net ready soon.

It looks very much like this but with a longer barrel:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=126411924

Pistol has been fired, but sparingly. I believe the arm is in good to very good condition.

Now, my question is if this firearm is a K frame or what? Serial number at the end of the grip is 180XXX. It appears no letters around numbering, but I will make sure on my follow-up.

I inherited this pistol from my Dad, who in turn inherited it from his step-father. How and when his step-father obtain the pistol I have no idea.

Thank ya'll in advance for any help.

 

[Jim K]

The ".38 Special Cartridge" is the cartridge for which the gun is chambered. The other side of the barrel should say "Smith & Wesson".

Assuming it is a Smith & Wesson, with that serial it should be the Model 1905 Military & Police, third change. That change was made 1909-1915 so yours would have probably been made around 1911.

The frame is indeed what is now called the K frame and the gun evolved into what is now known as the Model 10.

Those guns are fairly common, with almost 95,000 made in the serial range 146900-241703, so value depends almost entirely on condtion.

Jim

 

[Jim Watson]

The serial number falls in the range of the Military and Police, third change, as made from 1909 til 1915. It is what is now known as a K frame or Model 10.

Hey, Jim K says so, too.

 

[JTram]

Thank you very much for the speedy reply.

The left barrel does say "Smith & Wesson" and it has a S&W logo on the side.

This gun is nickel plated and not stainless correct? If nickel, the more you shoot it, the greater the chance of the nickel plating coming/flaking off?

I will figure out how to throw up a picture or two soon.

Thanks again!

 

[Radagast]

yes it is nickel, the first stainless steel revolver was the model 60 Chiefs Special introduced in 1965. The Model Number One, 2nd Issue tip up 22 revolver was the first S&W to have a nickel finish, that was back in 1860. Until the stainless steel guns were introduced Nickel was the preferred finish for corrosion resistance. As to durability, I can't help you with that, all I know is it can flake off old guns, someone else can probably explain why.

 

[krs]

You should probably be careful of what you use to clean the pistol. I don't know the facts but it seems to me that I've read that if an ammonia containing cleaner gets under the nickel plating it can cause the nickel to come loose from the steel. On one this old there's bound to be someplace where a damaging fluid could get in.

 

[JTram]

Update here.

After comparing notes and history of this firearm, I rechecked the serial numbers.

There is a "C" before the actually numbers. That would change quite a bit up.

Can I get an updated history of this firearm?

 

[Pistol Toter]

.38 Military & Police (pre Model 10) Produced in 1948. I recommend you only fire standard velocity .38 special mmunitions as it is a pre model number gun. If it's in good shape, it's a fine gun; some of the best ever made. It iwll have a trigger that is smoother than butter. The fit and finish of the internals are first rate. Haved it checked out by a qualified gun smith if you wish and enjoy it. As the other gent recommended, I would not use ammonia based cleaners ie Hoppes #9. Shooters Choice make a good cleaner that can be used on nickel. Enjoy and take good care of her and she will be around for another three generations.