S&W .38 Special CTG - anyone know this gun?

[willful1]

My dad inherited this pistol from his father, who was a South Carolina sheriff
for decades. In turn, dad passed it on to me. He once told me in '98 that a
friend of his had looked it up for him, and told him it was worth over $1000.

I don't know much about gun history, and having found several similar
threads here, I am hoping someone here can help me figure this out.

On the left side:
the barrel is stamped: SMITH & WESSON
On the right side:
the barrel is stamped: 38 S.&W. SPECIAL CTG.
below the cylinder: MADE IN U.S.A.
MARCAS REGISTRADAS
SMITH & WESSON
SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
back by the grip: the S&W trademark and REG. U.S. PAT. OFF.

on the butt: I guess it's the Ser# K 81400

This number is also stamped on the cylinder and on the bottom of the barrel.

When I fold the cylinder out, the frame has stamped: 908
with a 6 below this.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

 

[SDC]

The serial number shows it's a K-frame made before 1957 (when S&W switched to model numbers), but we'd need to know a little more about it (barrel length, sights, and finish) to know for sure which model it is, and the value really depends on the condition. If it's got original adjustable sights, it's probably a Combat Masterpiece (what became the Model 15), and if it has fixed sights, it's probably a Model of 1905 Hand Ejector (which became the Model 10).

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The "CTG" is an abbreviation of "cartridge."

 

[SaxonPig]

The K prefix means it has target sights. It's either a Combat Masterpiece (4" barrel far and away most common) or a Target Masterpiece (6" barrel on 99% of them). The CM would become the Model 15 when numbers were assigned and the TM would become the Model 14.

Value on either would be more like $300-$400 in good condition.

 

[Old Fuff]

The information provided so far is correct, but so far as value is concerned if the use and/or ownership by a sheriff was documented this would add as much as $100.00 or more depending on the revolver's exact history. This presumes that the previous owner was "a" sheriff, and not a deputy.

Unless of course it was used in a gunfight...

 

[willful1]

Wow! Thanks for all the good info.

The gun is in excellent condition. It is the blued finish, not nickel, and you can see some wear on it, a light flaring of the bluing at the end of the barrel, and a bit of wear back on the hammer and on the trigger.

There are also little S&W medallion inserts in the upper part of the grips.

The barrel is 4" long, and the sights look to be attached by 2 screws to the top of the frame.

I never knew my grandfather, he and dad never got along too well after the old man abandoned him at a gas station back in first grade ;-(

To my knowledge, he was "the" sheriff, but I would have to do some real digging to find which county.

Thanks again for all the insight - you've been a lot of help.

 

[DickM]

I don't know about anyone else, but if I had a gun - any gun - that had been owned by my father and grandfather it'd be worth more money than there is in the world.

 

[willful1]

I know how you mean, and if it had belonged to my REAL grandpa - my mom's
dad - you'd be right on target. But since my dad's mother's biological
specimen donor never did anything else except cut out, and cosnidering the
fact that since I lost my job my 1-year-old baby boy likes to eat, well, that
old b@st@rd never meant anything to any of us, and if selling this gun helps
feed my baby boy, then near as I can figure, it'll be the best GD thing that
guy ever did.

 

[jfh]

I'm gonna make a mental bet with you

that, despite your current hardships, that revolver will mean more to you in twenty or forty years that the money you need now. I've been there, done that--and now regret it.

Jim H.

 

[willful1]

Ok - so I have learned a bit more about this .38 Special, and thanks to a
poster I found here someone made up I can tell you more about it:
- short action hammer - non-diamond grips - nose-mounted firing pin
- square butt - adjustable sights - K frame - no model # on it

if this helps anyone to help me figure out what model and year this is, thanx

 

[spbigger]

38 S&W special.4" barrel. ctg

I have one like yours. From my father who was with the SC HWY Patrol in Dillon, SC. I guess lots of law enforcement folks used this one before they began issuing automatics. I am glad you posted, for I had not previously known much about this pistol except that is is sturdy and smooth operating.

Sam Bigger in Anderson, SC

 

[Jim Watson]

Wilful1, your gun is a Combat Masterpiece.

It was probably made sometime between 1950 when they got short actions in all models and 1957 when they started putting model numbers under the yoke. I do not have the book to look up which year in that time frame.

Dollar value is maybe $350 unless Grandpa was a major serious historical figure sheriff with connection to nationally important cases.

 

[eamrein]

Makes me wonder what I have.
Left to me by my dad just before he passed away.
S&W 38 Special CTG, blued, 6" barrel.
Serial number on butt and cylinder match - K110014

 

[SaxonPig]

A K38 Masterpiece made around 1951.

Probably looks similar to this K22.

 

[gcastro]

I need help in determining the year of MANUFACTURING, MODEL and value for the following single and double action S&W revolver .
5 shot. BARREL LENGHT 3.25" NO ADJUSTABLE SIGHT, SQUARE BUT, MOTHER OF PEARL GRIPS. AND WITH HAND EJECTOR
On the left side:
the barrel is stamped: SMITH & WESSON
On the right side:
the barrel is stamped: REGULATION POLICE 38 S.& W. CTG.
below the cylinder: MADE IN U.S.A.
back by the grip: the S&W trademark
TOP OF THE BARREL SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. USA
PATENTED FEB 6.06 SEPT 14.09 DEC.29.14

FINISHED IS NICKEL PLATED
SERIAL 33418
FRAME NUMBER 3185

THE GUN IS CLEAN,SMOOTH OPERATION, LITTEL BLEMISHES ON THE PLATING. I BEEN INFORMED THAT IT SHOULD PRE DATE 1930. and that uses a .38 short bullet

THANKS FOR THE HELP.

 

[Coyote3855]

A picture would help a lot. Does the cylinder swing out from a solid frame or is there a latch that allows the frame to "break open" and pivot on a hinge at the bottom front of the frame?

The revolver is chambered for the Smith and Wesson .38 cartridge, not .38 Special. The two cartridges are not interchangeable. There are books that list S&W serial numbers and date of manufacture. I can't find a web site that does.

 

[Jim Watson]

The model name (before they assigned numbers) is marked right on the gun REGULATION POLICE 38 S.& W. CTG.

That says it all, except for somebody with the book to look up the serial number for the year made.

 

[bluetopper]

willful1,

Sell that Smith that belonged to that #@$%& so that baby can eat!

Guns are great to have but you can't eat 'em.