Smith and Wesson .38 special

[GKP503]

I inherited a Smith & Wesson 38 special ctg revolver - 4" barrel, # on butt next to sling swivel 908885 - # 83986 on frame when cylinder is swung out
The gun is in very good shape albeit it needs a cleaning, appears completely functional though

I am very curious about when it was manufactured and what it's history might be, if any is available

 

[Jim Watson]

I am thinking 1942. When they hit 999999 they applied a V prefix and started over instead of running serial numbers over a million. Known as "Victory Models" they are not really any different.

 

[GKP503]

Wow Jim, that was sure fast ! I just noticed another # on the back strap NAA 83, does that have any significance ?

 

[ms6852]

Please excuse the question but I would like some clarification since this is an older model handgun. Is this a Smith and Wesson that shoots 38 special or a Smith and Wesson that shoot 38 Smith and Wesson . Many people confuse the calibers and they are not the same.

 

[.38 Special]

Welcome, GKP.

There is a sticky on the revolver forum meant for just this sort of question. "Identity and Date of Manufacture of S&W revolvers". Very helpful and friendly folks. They almost certainly will want a picture or two, if you can come up with it.

Also, it is possible to order a factory letter for your gun (and sometimes even a "Historical letter") which will give you more detail than any other source. The cost for the factory letter is $100, and the cost for the "historical letter" depends upon what, if anything, they find. https://swhistoricalfoundation.com/letter-process/

 

[Jim Watson]

.38 Specials were USGI secondary standard in WWII (and a lot of .38 S&Ws went to England to supplement their Enfields and Webleys.) They were also provided to defense industry security guards.
So I wonder if that might be gun no 83 at North American Aviation.

 

[GKP503]

Please excuse the question but I would like some clarification since this is an older model handgun. Is this a Smith and Wesson that shoots 38 special or a Smith and Wesson that shoot 38 Smith and Wesson . Many people confuse the calibers and they are not the same.

The barrel stamping says "38 S. & W. special ctg"

 

[ms6852]

CTG means cartridge. Here is something I copied from a source that explains it better than me.

"There was both a “.38 Smith & Wesson” round made for black powder, and a later “.38 Smith & Wesson Special” round that was eventually loaded with smokeless powder. The latter is still common today, but usually just called “.38 Special,” because the former is obsolete.The two are NOT interchangeable, having slightly different diameters and designed for different pressures. Knowing which was which mattered, so a person couldn’t put the wrong round in a gun and hurt themselves. So this designation matters. It also probably means your gun is rather old, as the black-powder “.38 Smith & Wesson” almost disappeared domestically after WW2, maybe even earlier. The British and India still used it for awhile (loaded with smokeless to low pressure), but hardly anyone else."

 

[GKP503]

knowing well what "assuming" means in practical terms I probably should not assume that if a 38 special round drops into the cylinder it is safe to shoot it ?

 

[Col. Harrumph]

If the barrel says 'special' and the cylinder isn't an incorrect replacement*, standard pressure (not +P) .38 special ammo should slide in easily with little wobble once seated, and if the gun is not mechanically compromised, should be safe to shoot. Ask a professional gunsmith to examine it if you're in doubt about it.

*In a gun of that vintage the serial number on the bottom of the grip frame should match that stamped on the rear face of the cylinder.

 

[GKP503]

If the barrel says 'special' and the cylinder isn't an incorrect replacement*, standard pressure (not +P) .38 special ammo should slide in easily with little wobble once seated, and if the gun is not mechanically compromised, should be safe to shoot. Ask a professional gunsmith to examine it if you're in doubt about it.

*In a gun of that vintage the serial number on the bottom of the grip frame should match that stamped on the rear face of the cylinder.

and it does .... Thank you