Who knows 38 specials?

[Big B]

What's the value of and the year(s) of production of a Smith and Wesson 38 s. & w. special ctg? Its serial number is S 960*** with patent dates of feb 6 06 sept 14 09 and dec 29 14. It has a four inch barrel and a wood grip.

 

[ugaarguy]

Going from memory here, but the S Prefix was used from 1946 until about 1948 when S&W switched to the C prefix and 4 line address. Your gun is actually called an M&P, the revolver which became the Model 10 in 1957 when S&W switched from model names to model numbers. Depending upon condition of the gun and the grips it could be worth anywhere from $150 in poor but shootable condition, and going up to two or three times that depending on better condition and other factors.

Almost forgot, welcome to THR. A couple years ago my inquiry about a very similar S&W M&P brought me here. I hope you enjoy the forum.

 

[Big B]

Thank you. This is my grandpas. His dad purchased it back in 1948-1949

 

[Big B]

Please forgive my ignorance, but is it okay to fire this gun still? It is clean and appears to be in good working order. I've never owned a revolver, but I like this one.

 

[ugaarguy]

Please forgive my ignorance, but is it okay to fire this gun still? It is clean and appears to be in good working order. I've never owned a revolver, but I like this one.

Not a problem. Yes it's perfectly fine to fire it. The revolver you have incorporates all of the upgrades in metallurgy and additional safety features which were added to S&W revolvers throughout WWII. You could shoot standard pressure .38 specials out of for a lifetime and you wouldn't wear it out. You could use +P on occasion too and have nothing to worry about, but there's no need to use +P for range shooting.

On the value, since it's Grandpa's gun it's priceless.

 

[Big B]

I agree. thanks.