Quote:
Originally Posted by Starman
Hello,
Can any of you professionals help determine the value of my firearm. It is a 1942-1943 .38 Special with a serial # of V350826. It has a p stamp as well as U.S. property G.H.D. All three serial numbers match.
Here are some pics.
Any info would be appreciated. Thank you. |
You seem to have a Victory Model that someone had nickel plated and fitted with pearl (?) grips after it left US service.
It no longer has any real collecor value, none at all for the military collectors. But it may be safe to shoot with standard pressure ammo. Plus P CTG should not be fired in S&W .38's made before 1957 and bearing a model number on the frame. Saxon Pig here disagrees, but that's the company's position. They seem to have improved the metallurgy at that time, this being borne out by a comment by Chic Gaylord in, "Handgunner's Guide, pub. about 1960.
Someone above stated that the bullet weight of the shorter .38 S&W (.38-200) CTG was 175 grains after they lowered it from 200 grains. In fact, it was listed at 178 grains. But your gun probably chambers the more common .38 Special CTG. See what's marked on the right hand side of the barrel. Should read .38 Special CTG.