US service CTG

[murraywc]

My neighbor came over today when he saw me unloading my guns from shooting and brought a pistol that his father had given him and he was going to give to his son and wanted to know if i knew anything about it. Sorry about the pictures all i had with me was my phone. It had a trademark and the only other markings were US service CTG or it could be OTG it was hard to read. It was a 38 S&W I believe it said special I was hoping it would show up on the picture but didn't it is also a double action. Didn't the military use a 38 for a while before the 1911 could it be one of those. Any info or idea of the value. It was in good shape the finish was great.

 

[Jim Watson]

Looks like a Smith & Wesson Military and Police or a close copy thereof. Maybe a model of 1902 but it will take somebody with the reference book to be sure. He will need to know the serial number. Best get the other markings for sure and not just what you believe might have been there.

From about 1885 til 1909 the US service cartridge was an arsenal version of the .38 Long Colt. When S&W brought out the .38 Special in 1899, they made a point of their revolvers being able to take the older round, which is why they are marked for US Service Ctg. (CTG is just an abbreviation for cartridge, no need to get all mesmerized by the cryptic code word.)

 

[Oyeboten]

Those are very nice Revolvers.


Serial Number will be found on the Butt, if you wanted someone to date it.

.38 Special...or as Jim Watson elaborated, "U S Service Ctg" also, which was .38 Long Colt.

Kinda sorta has the look of a re-blue, but hard to tell in the images.

It would be fairly early anyway, with that nominclature on the Barrel.

 

[Radagast]

Post the serial number and we'll be able to give a more accurate date.
Your neighbor should be made aware that this model lacks an internal hammer block safety, so the chamber under the hammer should be left unloaded. It also predates heat treatment of cylinders, so it would be prudent to only shoot standard velocity lead ammunition through it, no PlusP, +P+ or jacketed ammo.