S&W 38 Spl. s/n29836

[pdgodwin99]

I have a S&W 38 Spl. s/n 29836, I inherited from my grandfather and it appears to be in excellent condition. He last carried it when he was a streetcar motorman in L.A. in the 1920's and I wonder what the approximate age might be and whether it would be safe to fire with modern .38 spl. ammo. Any help would be appreciated. thanks

 

[Tony_the_tiger]

Check out this sticky thread

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=372213

 

[Jim Watson]

That is in the serial number range that Flayderman gives for the .38 Military & Police 2nd Model, made only 1902-1903.

It is safe with fresh standard .38 Special ammunition.
I would limit it to 148 gr target wadcutters, "cowboy" loads, and 158 gr standard velocity lead "police" load.
No jacketed bullets and definitely no +P.
Best to keep an empty chamber under the hammer like a single action, it does not have as good internal safeties as later models.

 

[Jaymo]

Out of curiosity, why no jacketed ammo? Besides the fact that a pure lead HP will expand better at non-+P velocities.

 

[pdgodwin99]

Thanks to all for your quick response. The date range of 1902-1903 coincides with the last patent date of Dec. 17, 1901. Also thanks for the reference to the sticky, it's just what I was looking for.

 

[sixgunner455]

What a neat item to inherit! Hope to see some pictures of it.

 

[Radagast]

pdgodwin99:
I replied to you in the D.O.B. thread, where you posted C975 as the serial number. If the number on the bottom of the grip frame is 29836 then Jim is correct and it is a .38 Military & Police Model of 1902, manufactured in 1902 or 1903 in the serial range 20976 to 33803.

Expanding on what Jim said, S&W did not advertise all their guns as safe for smokeless powder till around 1906/1908. They did not start heat treating cylinders till around 1919.

So keeping pressures low is a sensible idea with the early guns. Jacketed ammo takes longer to deform into the rifling and thus holds high pressures longer. The 158 grain standard pressure round was the original load and the sights should be regulated for it.

In addition the early guns lack the internal hammer block that makes modern S&Ws drop proof. Leaving the chamber under the hammer empty is a wise safety precaution.

 

[pdgodwin99]

Radagast and Jim Watson:
Thanks for the additional info regarding selection of ammo. I certainly have no desire for this gun to turn into a hand grenade and leave me with a bloody stump. Like they say, an old dog is never too old to learn so long as he recognizes that he doesn't already know everything. I'm going to lock the ammo for my wife's stubby airweight (+P) away so it never comes in contact with my older, more fragile gun.

Sixgunner455:
I'll try to upload a picture, although as far as appearances go it looks pretty much like any other modern handgun. I'm always amazed how a good design seems to withstand the ravages of time and keep it's basic shape only yielding to changes in technology, techniques and materials.


Thanks to all.

Phil Godwin

 

[Radagast]

pdgodwin99:
Its not likely to do more than split the cylinder if it does let go, but why risk an old antique?
From the pic it appears to have been refinished in the past, as the trigger appears to be nickel plated and the hammer appears to have flaking nickle.
S&W never plated the hammer and trigger, these were always color case hardened. The case hardening was a registered trade mark/design that S&W used to distinguish their products from others.

 

[sixgunner455]

Thanks for the photo!

If you look at how they fitted the end of the ejector rod into a machined slot under the barrel, and then different models from different eras in the Kframe's production life, you'll see some interesting changes.

Also, some neat rubber grips on that round butt. The grip frame was originally a round butt, then square, and then round again.

I'm more of a fan of the Kframe than an expert on it. I just really like getting a chance to see such a neat old family heirloom.

 

[pdgodwin99]

Radagast: You've got a keen eye there mate. The gun was replated back in the 1950's when I loaned it to my maternal grandfather who had just joined the police auxillary and needed a sidearm. He took it to a gunsmith to be checked out and replated since it was showing it's age. The plating apparently left a lot to be desired since it seems to be ready for refurbishing again. Maybe after 50 years it deserves a little touchup. I may ask them to strip the hammer and trigger since I kind of like the contrast of polish and bare metal.

Sixgunner455: I agree that the machining is a nicely done, which wouldn't be surprising today with all the CNC. Considering these guns were probable made on an open setup mill somebody had to go to some trouble, not just push a button to start a program read.

I also like the hard rubber grips with the S&W logo. The soft rubber grips on my wife's snubby work well but the the hard rubber has certainly outlived modern polymers and looks very much like it must have just out of the factory.

Phil