s&w special ctg

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jacethan

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please help, i am looking for info on my grandfathers S&W special ctg. it has SMITH & WESSON stamped on one side of the barrel. I can only make out a S&W special CTG on the other side. there appears to be something before the s&w but cannot be sure. A title mark is located below the revolver release. the serial number is 364749, which is on the bottom of the butt. has wooden handles with simple engraving.
 
What is the caliber?

You should be able to tell this by the bore and cylinders. As said, this is either a 38 S&W Special (most likely) or a 44 S&W Special.

A pic would help too.
 
Open the cylinder and look for markings on the frame behind the cylinder crane.
What is the barrel length measured from end to end (not just the portion that sticks out of the frame)?
 
With no more information than has been provided, it may be a .38 Military and Police Model 1905 4th change. Serail Numbers 241704 - 700000 were used from 1915 to 1942. Your gun probably left the factory in the mid 1920's.
Now after saying all of that open the cylinder and see if there is a stamping that will say mod.xx-x; if not that's OK, look on the bottom of the grip frame and give us the alpha if any and the numeric characters. Is there anything stamped on the top of the barrel? Smith& Wesson on the left side and .38 S&W Special ctg. or .38 S&W ctg. (which) on the right? Where is the S&W logo, sideplate or right side? What are the sights? Describe the stocks. If you haven't heard "pictures are worth a thousand words." There are a number of fokes here who can help you but we need to know more than, "I got this gun".
 
If it is a .38 Special, with that serial number on the butt, and no letter prefix, it would have to be a .38 Hand Ejector, model 1905 - also known as the Military & Police model. It would be a K-frame revolver, 6-shot, with a 4, 5, or 6 inch barrel (measured from the cylinder face to the muzzle). Most likely the stocks would not have a nickel plated trade mark logo at the top. Blue or nickel finish. A picture would be a big help.
 
soo sorry, i had an emergency, there is no alpha number on the bottom only 364749. the only other thing i can find that i havent said is the numbers when i release the 6 shot cylinder there is a number on arm that holds the cylinder and on the pistol itself. it is 79112 same on both SMITH & WESSON IS ON THE LEFT SIDE S&W SPECIAL CTG IS ON THE RIGHT. THE TITLE MARK IS ON THE LEFT. IT IS SILVER I PRESUME SOLID STEEL EXCEPT FOR THE WOODEN HANDLES THAT HAVE A DIAMOND IN CENTER WITH THE SCREW IN THE CENTER OF THE DIAMOND. SORRY DONT HAVE ANY MEANS OF POSTING A PICTURE
 
Also, The Sights Are Open With A Groove From The Hammer To End Of The Revolver Casing. The Barrel Is 6" With The End Sight Being Part Of The Barrell It Has Not Been Attached. ALSO, THANK YOU ALL WHO HAVE TRIED TO HELP ME OUT. I REALLY HAVE NO FAMILIARITY WITH HANDGUNS EXCEPT A LITTLE WITH THE 9MM WHEN I WAS IN THE MILITARY.
 
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Well your description is pretty good, so we can get along without a picture.

If you want more specific information, including the date it was shipped from the factory and the name of the distributor or dealer who received it, write to Smith & Wesson and request an historical letter. Researching through the old records, and processing the letter takes about 8 weeks. The fee is $30.00, and reasonable considering the work involved. You can get more details at: www.smith-wesson.com
 
If It Is Indeed A Model 1905, What Kind Of Shells Can Be Fired. I Have 38 Special 130gr And Some Other 38specials That Were My Grandfathers. Once Again, Thanks To All That Have Helped. This Is The First Time I Have Been To This Forum And Feel That I Will Be Here From Now On.

Life. Liberty. Pursuit Of Happiness
 
Depending on the exact date your gun was shipped; and the reason I say that, is about that time S&W started heat treating the cylinders, you can fire standard velocity .38 special mmunitions. I would most likely fire the 148 grn wadcutters. They're pretty mild. You're not going to use it as a self defense weapon but as a family heirloom. If the gun is prior to the heat treating I would load it with what is know as cowboy loads. Your local "Gun Shop" not Walmart will know what I'm talking about. Those are very nice old guns and exhibit some of the finest firearms craftsmanship known. You said the gun was silver, that means it is a nickel finish. You will want to take care cleaning it. The finish is a durable one, but stay away from the gun cleaning products like Hoppes #9 which contains Ammonia. If there is a chip or break in the nickel the ammonia will seep under the nickel and begin to erode the copper substate making the nickel turn loose. You might wish to search out a real good qualified S&W pistol or gunsmith and have him just check it out. You have a very fine M&P as I and Old Fuff have advised. Enjoy your Grandfather old pistol. Thank you for sharing. From the Mountains of Eastern Tennessee P.T.

Just hold on to that old ammo it may or may not fire but maybe period to the gun. Don't leave it in the gun, it may corrode and be difficult to extract. Also if there is a leather holster, don't store the gun in the holster. Spend the $30 and have it lettered and when you do give the smallest detail in your write up even to the stocks, send pictures. Speaking of the stocks you will likely find the serial number stamped or written in pencil on the right side panel.
 
Thanks For The Info. If Their Is Anything Else You Can Share With Me Then Please Do. I Plan On Writing Smith&wesson To Find The Exact Manufacturer Date. Also, If You Know Of A Master Pistol Or Gunsmith In This Beautiful Smoky Mountain Region Than Please Advise Me. I Am All Ears. OH MY IT IS ALMOST EXACT EXCEPT FOR THE COLOR
 
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east about 40 0r 50, also what did you mean by stocks and being lettered? i only have the pistol which i keep in a pistol bag zipped up. grandpa from, the mountains of southwest va, coal country. he passed a few years back at 92. he had the pistol as long as i can remember.
 
"Stocks" are the wood handles on the revolver.

"Lettered" means to get a historical letter from the Smith & Wesson company, after they examine their old records to determine the exact history of your particular revolver.
 
The stocks are the wood grips. S&W refer to the wood panels as stocks. If the stocks are orginal to the gun there should be the serial number written or stamped in the right side panel. Now for good pistolsmith, call Coal Creek Armory, ph.# 865-966-4545 and speak to Shannon Jennings. I have known the man for 10 years and he does all the work to my S&W's. He is probably the best in E. TN. He is not in until Wednesdays thru Saturdays.

You do not want to store it in anything that can hold moisture including one the fuzzy lined pistol boots or a leather holsters. The guns that I do not fire are stored in burped zip lock bags and heavyly lubricated. Additionally the stocks are removed cleaned, waxed with Johnsons Gym Floor Wax and stored in a seperate zip lock bag with the screw taped to an index card containing the model and serial number; that's so the oil doesn't soak into the wood.

Old Fuff mentioned the letter, see this link for the letter request form:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...catalogId=11101&content=25301&sectionId=10504
 
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