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Originally Posted by smitholdtimer
Is this the .38 S&W or the newer .38 special cartridge? I saw a very nice example today while visiting a gun show. The dealer who owns the gun says it is the old .38 S&W but I am cautious because of the "special" stamped on the barrel following S&W, oh yes, it is a target model with a 6" barrel and must be at least 95% to 98%, no box or tools. Is it worth $600.00? Anybody know? Hey, thanks for your help.
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Sam;
A photo would be most helpful, but here are some thoughts. If it is an original, unaltered/unmodified factory gun, S & W made 3 target-sighted .38 Specials in the 6" barrel range in significant numbers. They never cataloged a 6" .38 S & W with target sights, but anything is possible. If it is a K or medium frame, it is either a prewar Military & Police Target with a tapered, non-ribbed barrel and old-style adjustable rear sight, or (most likely) a K-38 Masterpiece or model 14 with a heavy barrel and modern rear sight. They also made a 6.5" barreled N frame .38, the .38/44 Outdoorsman or model 23. Finally, there are gunsmith specials (no pun intended!), usually made up from a fixed-sight K frame with added target sights.
A really nice prewar M & P Target or Outdoorsman is easily worth $600. An older pre-model stamped K-38, probably not. With rare exceptions, a modern model 14 sells for a lot less in my observation. Hope this is helpful.