S&W .38Spcl
I recently acquired my first revolver and know virtually nothing about them. Since I frequently visit GB i knew this would be the place to find an education.
The S/N is: S 860420
31233 is stamped on the frame where the cylinder snaps closed. it has a half moon front sight (don't know the technical term). The rear sight is fixed. The S&W emblem is on the right side of the frame. The right side of the barrel says "38 S.&W. Special CTG." I know that is not the model of the gun, but the ammun. it takes. The left side of the barrel is stamped "Smith & Wesson."
I would like to know when the gun was made, (where if possible) and at a minimum what model it is. Oh, yeah and i only gave $300 for it, in about 90% condition. Thank in advance for any and all information.
The S/N is: S 860420
31233 is stamped on the frame where the cylinder snaps closed. it has a half moon front sight (don't know the technical term). The rear sight is fixed. The S&W emblem is on the right side of the frame. The right side of the barrel says "38 S.&W. Special CTG." I know that is not the model of the gun, but the ammun. it takes. The left side of the barrel is stamped "Smith & Wesson."
I would like to know when the gun was made, (where if possible) and at a minimum what model it is. Oh, yeah and i only gave $300 for it, in about 90% condition. Thank in advance for any and all information.
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It was made in the years after the Second World War, circa 1945-48. At that time it was known as the Military & Police Model, now known as the pre Model 10. 0 -
That is outstanding. 0 -
thanks for the info. I'm thinking about sending in my $50 to S&w to get a History letter/Letter of Authenticity. Is it worth the money and time to do this. Anyone ever had good or bad luck with doing this? 0 -
You paid about fair market value for it.
You didn't say what barrel length was, can be a little diference in value but not a lot.
Made before 1948 in that sn range.0 -
Hello IMHO because of the thousands of these that were made for years and years unless you think that it was owned by someone famous I dont think the factory letter would be worth any thing but information to you If you go on the S&W collector site they can tell you when it was made. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by j.klitzke
thanks for the info. I'm thinking about sending in my $50 to S&w to get a History letter/Letter of Authenticity. Is it worth the money and time to do this. Anyone ever had good or bad luck with doing this?
999 time out of 1000 the letter simply comes back saying that the pistol was sold to some place like Jake's Hardware and Saddle Company, Des Moines Iowa in 1946. mildly interesting information, but not worth the fifty bucks in my never to be humble opinion. The benefit to the factory letter is if you happen to own a firearm with an unusual finish or features which are usually not found on that particular model. A factory letter, which will indicate and special features that the gun may have shipped with from the factory, can clear up any questions about such things pronto!0 -
Thanks again for the insight. i don't beleive the gun was owned by anyone famous. (Pretty sure of it) But i do know that it has history just like all guns. i am pretty sure that i can get in touch with the owner of the gun before the one i bought it from, who got it from his grndfather. so hopefully i can get some interesting info on this pistola. I will definitely keep diggin on my own and will think twice about sending in to S&W. 0 -
You may want to look at that serial# again.
The S prefix was for the N frame revolvers and only went as high as S 333454. I assume you looked at the bottom of the grip frame for the number. Does the ejector rod have a shroud around it?
If this is in fact an N frame it probably is a Model of 1950 38/44 Heavy Duty.
I was looking at my book again,turns out I was wrong about the S prefix. S 811338-S 999999 Also covers the following from 1945-1948 on the M&P Postwar and Models 10,11,12,45 and Aircrewman.0 -
no, the ejector does not have a shroud around it and yes i got the S/N from the bottom of the grip frame. It is also stamped on the bottom side of the barrel above where the ejector locks in place. What book are you getting the info from? sounds like very interesting reading. May need to pick up a copy of it. 0 -
The Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson 3rd Edition. 0
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