Smith & Wesson 38 ...need info on it.
I bought an old gun today at a yard sale. It is (I think) a military issue older gun. The man who sold it to me said it's NOT a 38 special, but another kind of 38. I am trying to figure out what it is called, as I will end up reselling it and was hoping to research it a bit.
It says "United States Property" on it. Then there are three patent dates..1906, 1909, 1914. The it says Smith and Wesson on it as well. I don't find a model # or anything like that on it.
I am not a gun person, so would appreciate any help, so I can finish up my research on it. Thanks a lot for any help.
~Jil
It says "United States Property" on it. Then there are three patent dates..1906, 1909, 1914. The it says Smith and Wesson on it as well. I don't find a model # or anything like that on it.
I am not a gun person, so would appreciate any help, so I can finish up my research on it. Thanks a lot for any help.
~Jil
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38 s&w.
I WOULD RATHER BE DUCK HUNTING.0 -
Ummmm...so this is not a good gun? (Okay..well I did buy a bunch of vintage duck decoys a few weeks ago, and did well with those on ebay...:O) 0 -
If it looks like this, it is probably a W W II vintage revolver made for "Lend-Lease" use by the British Commonwealth Forces. The cartridge these revolvers were originally chambered for is the .38/200 (.38 Smith & Wesson ). This not the same as the more common .38 special.
http://www.mst2-vietnam.info/Stoner_ordnance_notes/stonerhtml/S&W_Model_10_files/image002.jpg
Give us all the markings and a PARTIAL serial number, we MIGHT be able to give you a clearer idea of what you have.
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WOW~Thank you. That is exactly what it looks like..identical actually. Many thanks! Now I have a better idea of where to start. I do a lot of reselling, and just couldn't pass it up. It just looked like it would have a neat history behind it. (I am sure I looked a bit odd at this yar sale, with two small children, a bundle of vintage table linens and an old gun)BTW, it is empty, and I do have a gun safe, I just no nothing about vintage guns.
Can I research more about it by just the serial number? And you said a part of the serial number. Which part do you want? Like how many digits, first part or last part?
Thanks a bunch.
~J.0 -
quote:Originally posted by jilibean
WOW~Thank you. That is exactly what it looks like..identical actually. Many thanks! Now I have a better idea of where to start. I do a lot of reselling, and just couldn't pass it up. It just looked like it would have a neat history behind it. (I am sure I looked a bit odd at this yar sale, with two small children, a bundle of vintage table linens and an old gun)BTW, it is empty, and I do have a gun safe, I just no nothing about vintage guns.
Can I research more about it by just the serial number? And you said a part of the serial number. Which part do you want? Like how many digits, first part or last part?
Thanks a bunch.
~J.
All the markings including any proof marks on the revolver ( describe them as best as you can ). Give us the serial number in the following format "????XX", make sure the last 2 digets are replaced by exes. If there is a letter prefix before the serial number, besure to note it.0 -
The serial number is 8866XX. There is no letter prefix.
I am not sure about what other markings would be helpful. Near the serial number there are the letters WB, then a tiny letter b way off to the side. The barrel of the gun says 38 S and W CTG. Hmmmm..then the top says "United States Property". Says Made in the USA.
What is a proof mark?0 -
Hi. A proof mark is a stamped mark in the steel that indicates either military acceptance or the maximum load that can be used in that firearm. IE. A broad arrow on a Lee-Enfield says the firearm was accepted by the British military for issue. A broad arrow with an upper case 'C' indicates Canadian military acceptance. Proof marks are a whole area of study. Do a net search for proof marks. It'll make you crazy, but you'll get tons of info.
.38 S&W means the revolver uses .38 S&W ammo. It's a shorter round than a .38 Special. It also means the bore is .360". Your's was made Stateside by Smith & Wesson for use by the British Army likely for WW I.
Ever thought about shooting? .38 S&W ammo is relatively inexpensive and easy to come by. Shooting is lots more fun than just buying and selling.0 -
Just what I need..another thing to research ;O) I will google up some info on proof marks and see what I come up with. It's really interesting to me, so thank you. So this one is possibly WWI, and not WWII?
You know, actually I have thought about shooting, but will need to take a basic gun safety class first, as I do not feel I know enough to be fully comfortable with it, and would like to make sure I know what I am doing. After buying this one though, I might just keep it and take up a new (yet another;O) hobby.0 -
quote:Originally posted by jilibean
Just what I need..another thing to research ;O) I will google up some info on proof marks and see what I come up with. It's really interesting to me, so thank you. So this one is possibly WWI, and not WWII?
You know, actually I have thought about shooting, but will need to take a basic gun safety class first, as I do not feel I know enough to be fully comfortable with it, and would like to make sure I know what I am doing. After buying this one though, I might just keep it and take up a new (yet another;O) hobby.
I believe your revolver to be of W W II vintage, rather then of the earlier conflict. The S & W military revolvers made during the First World War were predominately in .45 caliber. Here is a excellent site that goes into great detail regarding the W W II era S & W revolvers.
http://www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/victory_model_smith_and_wesson.htm
The value of your revolver will be determined by it's condition. The closer it is to factory original the greater it's value. i.e. if it's been refinished, rechambered to take the .38 special cartridge, or reworked in any way, it's collectors value will be affected.0 -
One more question. In the photo, in the link you sent, there is something at the bottom of the gun, and mine does not have this. The wood is just flat at the base, but there is a hole in the metal, where something might have been at one point.
Does that matter that mine seems to be missing that? What is that anyway? It almost looked like a lock or something.
Thanks so much for your help. The link you sent is super. I will be reading it more tomorrow when I have more brainpower.
~~J.0
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