Vintage Smith & Wesson 38 - Need Info

[OgieOglethorp]

This is a good ol' fashioned S&W .38 that I need to evaluate that came out of an estate I'm clearing out. I believe the serial number is V8487. Any ideas as to age? Condition opinions? Value? Thanks very much for your time.

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http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/2/0/4/7/2/7/webimg/27009105_o.jpg

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/2/0/4/7/2/7/webimg/27009106_o.jpg

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/2/0/4/7/2/7/webimg/27009107_o.jpg

 

[Old Fuff]

The revolver is a Smith & Wesson .38 Special Militaty & Police/Victory Model. The serial number indicates that it was made for the U.S. Military during 1942. Originally it had a brushed-blue finish or was Parkerized. The stocks were plain, uncheckered walnut. It was marked "United States Property" on the topstrap and had a lanyard loop in the butt.

At some later date the lanyard loop was removed and the hole plugged. Then it was buffed and nickel plated. The wood stocks were replaced with the plastic/fake-stag ones now on it.

In its original condition it would have some collector's value - around $250 - $300. As it is it has no collector's value and as a shooter is worth perhaps $175 to $200 if it is in good mechanical shape, and the bore and chambers are not rusted or pitted.

 

[Iggy]

I hope everyone appreciates the fountain of knowledge we have on this forum and that he is willing to share that info with us.

I just keep readin' and lernin'

Thanks Ol Fuff for your time and efforts..

 

[Old Fuff]

Wait until you get my bill...

 

[OgieOglethorp]

Thanks very much for generously sharing your knowledge. You've helped me out a great deal.

 

[Old Fuff]

Welcome to The High Road... Glad we could help.

 

[oreopithecus]

another Smith and Wesson M and P inquiry...

Fresh from my grandmother's attic: Smith and Wesson 38 Special, Military and Police model, 4 inch barrel, Serial No. 807095. Any idea how old this one is? I don't want to overstress it if it pre-dates WW II.

Thanks!

 

[Old Fuff]

You are more likely to overstress the poor Old Fuff's heart...

#8070xx was made in late 1941 or early 1942, and one of the last commercial guns before wartime production took over. So called "cowboy loads" (158 grain bullet / 780 FPS) won't stress the gun and should shoot close to the point of aim.

 

[oreopithecus]

That is exactly the info I was looking for. This one was still in the orginal box, and the outfit worn by the ploce officer on the cover of the info sheet was definitely from the John Dillinger/Bonnie and Clyde era. Thanks!