S&W .38 Special Info

[Pahsimeroi]

Hello-

I recently inherited a nice S&W .38 Special, 4" barrel, wood grips w/S&W emblem in silver finish, fixed sights
One side of barrel: SMITH & WESSON; Other side.38 S&W SPECIAL CTG
Serial # C 1623XX

It was reportedly purchased new in the early 1950s.

If anyone has a good idea of the date of manufacture and a model #, I would certainly appreciate it.

Thanks!

 

[Ron James]

Your serial number with the C prefix was used in 1948-1951. The "C " series numbers were used on 4 different S&W 38 Specials, however with the four inch barrel I believe it is a Model 10, AKA Military and Police. Since stainless steel was not in use at that time your finish should be nickle. Hope that helps

 

[Oro]

Since stainless steel was not in use at that time your finish should be nickle (sic).

I THINK he means his grips have silver emblems, not the finish of the gun. So it's likely blue, not nickel. But it could be nickel; that is not impossible. Best "bet" on the year is 1950, but other than the range he gave it is not possible for us to be any more precise.

The "Model 10" name came later, 1957. So your is called an "M&P" for "Military & Police" model. The gun didn't change any in 1957, just it got a model number (the name still staid attached; it just became the "Model 10 Military & Police." Since yours is pre-1957, some will call it a "pre-10" to mean it's older than 1957. Semantics.

 

[Pahsimeroi]

Gentlemen-

Thanks for your replies. I neglected to include the finish, which is blued. It was
reportedly purchased in 1952, which fits with the approximate date of manufacture. So, "M&P", pre-10.

I have a few boxes of ammunition that came with it: some of the rounds are S&W .38 (WW=Winchester Western?) which I imagine still function? The rest are Federal "Monark" .38 Special. Probably won't fire it much, if at all. I use a mod. 686 for recreation.

 

[Ron James]

Unless your cylinders are bored to the loose side the S&W38's shouldn't fit. They have a slightly larger outside dimension than 38 Special. The correct ammo is .38 Special.

 

[Pahsimeroi]

Ok, thats good to know. The previous owner must have bought the .38 S&W ammo accidentally.