Smith & Wesson 38 special pistol

[janearino]

Hi folks. My name is Jane; I'm a new member. I'm calling upon the experts here to give me a little advice. And hopefully someone is inclined to do so : ) I'm looking for a family heirloom - a smith & wesson pistol. My grandfather was the sheriff of racine county wisconsin in 1927-28 and it was his service revolver. S&W model 10 38 special, with a personal engraving on the side plate. It was handed down to my father but he had to sell it around 1963 to make ends meet. He's 80 now, and I really want to track it down for him. I noticed in a discussion thread that serial numbers were not given to S&W pistols before 1956. Given that, is it even possible to locate this piece? Can someone tell me where to start?

 

[SaxonPig]

S&W always stamped serial numbers. Model numbers were not used until 1957.

The possibility of locating a particular gun after so many years would be pretty much impossible. Why not buy another like it and present it to him?

 

[janearino]

I'm told it is a model 10, 38 sp. Buying another wouldn't do the trick - he's not blind I know, it would have to be pure dumb luck to find it.

 

[Oyeboten]

I agree...

The Revolver is very likely still 'out there' some where...but, holding one's Breath for finding it may become tiresome.

So...instead...if it were me, I would consider to find a nice, 'early', Model 10...have the sideplate engraved with a new presentation...present it to him while he's still around to enjoy it, and everyone will be plenty happy.


Nice condition, 'Early' Model 10s may be conveniently located by visiting 'Gunbroker', 'Auction Arms', or, by asking around to trusted Gunstores or Pawnshops who deal in older Arms.

 

[mnrivrat]

With the personal engraving it is a little more likely to locate the gun - although I would not hold my breath I would post on the S&W forum as the collectors there have a large amount of information on guns that are unique in the way you discribe. The engraving is his name , or ?

 

[SaxonPig]

If he carried it 1927-28 it was NOT a Model 10 as... like I said earlier... the model numbers were not used until 1957. A gun of that vintage would have been a Military & Police Model.

Feel free to look for you your grandfather's pistol. The engraving does make it distinctive but the odds on locating the current owner are about a billion to one.

Try asking here www.smith-wessonforum.com as there a number of very serious S&W collectors posting here and perhaps one has seen that revolver.

 

[John Wayne]

If you had a picture of the engraving it might help too.

Fortunately, the model 10 is literally the most popular handgun in the world, in constant production since 1899, if you do decide to replace it.

It's not uncommon to find model 10s marked with the names of the police departments they were issued to. It would still be rather hard, but you might locate a model 10 stamped as belonging to a Wisconsin Police Department.

 

[kanook]

There is probably hundreds of smiths engraved in 38 special out there. If you can get a description of what the script was and where your father last had it that could be a good start.

 

[lions]

I would ask your father if he remembers who he sold it to. There is a chance that person may still have it, if not maybe they remember who they sold it to. It is probably a long shot to remember a name from that long ago but it would be easier to find a person than a gun. The odds are not on your side but keep at it and good luck.

 

[PX15]

JMOfartO:

It's a nice thing you are trying to do for your Father. I'm guessing finding that particular revolver will be a long shot, but unless you give it a try you'll never know..

I would recommend (as have others) to start a thread on the S&W forum because that will gain you access to the serious S&W fans and get the "word out"..

It would seem likely that centering your search around the general area that it was sold in would be as good a place to start as any... IF it's still in circulation my guess it that it is more likely to still be somewhere in that area.

Hopefully the engraving will help, at least it cuts down on the sheer number of S&W revolvers out there of the type you are looking for.

Hey, the owner of "Papa's Pizza" found his original old Camaro, (of course he had a significant reward out for those who located/owned it) so "never say never"

Luck to ya.

Jesse

 

[oneounceload]

Agree with lions - start as far back as you know - that would be the sale in 1963 - the Who, What, Where scenario.

Good luck in your quest!

 

[janearino]

Thanks!

Thanks, everyone, for your advice. I will indeed get it on the S&W forum. It's engraving is definitely unique: "Charles J. Skewes, Sheriff, Racine County, 1927-1928." At least it narrows it down! Needle in a haystack, I know, but I have to give it a shot, so to speak