S&W 38 special Model ID

[Builder1958]

I recently acquired a S&W 38 special with the SN 881425. Stamped on the frame in front of the cylinder is 5 4905. Can anyone tell me about this gun? Bluing is in excellent condition. Barrel is clean, grips are nice and the cartouche stamp on the right side of the frame is excellent. Paid about $200 cuz it looked nice.

Jim

 

[PapaG]

Need a little more infor than you have provided. Five or six shot, J, K, L frame? Anything else stamped on the frame?

 

[Builder1958]

S&W revolver

6 shot, pretty sure K is stamped on the frame, don't have it in front of me.

 

[waidmann]

Photos cut the guess work. Is there a letter in addition to the 6 digits? Are the sights adjustable or fixed? Barrel length, measured from the front of the cylinder to the muzzle?

Good news, for $200 you likely did well.

 

[Builder1958]

S&W revolver

An S is stamped on the front of the frame bottom. 4" barrel, fixed front sight with a fluted frame that you look down for a back site.

 

[Builder1958]

6 shot. S in front of serial number on bottom of frame. Fixed front site, flute on top of frame to site in. 4" barrel

 

[SaxonPig]

That is a transitional model Military & Police Model built 1946-48 using left over pre-war parts. The M&P becomes the Model 10 in 1957. If it functions OK then you got a good deal at $200.

 

[Builder1958]

interesting that the serial # on the frame and cylinder match. Cool that it is so old and in good shape. Do the grips look original to you?

 

[Radagast]

Take off the grips. The serial number will be on the left inside panel. If it matches the gun then they are original.