Smith & Wesson 38 Special CTG identification

[ciajoe]

This was acquired from my deceased grandfather. It is a smith & Wesson 38 Special. See attached photos.

Thanks guys

 

[Sunray]

Condolences on your loss. Nice revolver.

 

[Jim Watson]

The illustrated revolver is a Smith & Wesson Military and Police. The model that became the Model 10 when they assigned numbers instead of names in 1957. I think it is from the early post-WW II era. If Old Fuff or somebody with the appropriate book can read the serial number they can pin it down closer. The grips are plastic imitation stag and are not original to the gun. It otherwise looks in excellent shape.

Nearly every question on a Smith & Wesson really focuses on that big bold "CTG" on the barrel. Well, it means "Cartridge", nothing more.

 

[Old Fuff]

Yup. In this particular case look for a number on the bottom of the butt, and also the letters "V" or "VS". The same number, without the letters if there were any on the butt, should be stamped on the rear face of the cylinder and the bottom of the barrel above the ejector rod. The number you showed inside the yoke cut-out is an assembly number, not a serial - and for purposes of identification it is meaningless.

 

[Jim Watson]

If I cross my eyes and squint, the picture of the butt appears to have a "C" prefix to the serial number.

 

[Old Fuff]

You may be right, but neither my monitor or eyes are that good...

 

[ciajoe]

Yes, starts with C 209xxx

 

[Old Fuff]

Then you have....

A Smith & Wesson .38 Military & Police (Pre Model 10). The "C" serial number series started at C 1 in 1948, and the shape of the front sight was changed in 1952. So your revolver was made between those years. Late 1940's seems likely.

Six-shot, chambered in .38 Special, barrel lengths of 2, 4, 5 and 6 inches. blue or nickel plate finish. The original stocks were checkered walnut.

It is also a so called "5-screw" revolver, which slightly increases its value to some collectors and shooters.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Nice revolver there!

 

[ciajoe]

Thanks to each and every one of you for the help.

Any idea where I could get some nice grips for this thing? I'd like to make this thing look a little better as it is my choice for ccw.

Thanks again.

 

[rcmodel]

Just depends on what you want.

http://getgrip.com/

http://www.eaglegrips.com/

http://www.grips4guns.com/revolver/smithwesson/smithwesson.html

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...toreId=10001&catalogId=10001&categoryId=45302

rcmodel

 

[XavierBreath]

I'm closing this thread to prevent new members from attaching posts about similar guns to it. Please start new threads for different guns. thanks.....