Quote:
Originally Posted by Bullitt08
It’s hard to see in the photos because it’s hard to make out on the gun due to wear but on the one side of the barbell it’s stamped 38 S&W special and under that then U. Then it’s illegible then v CTG. When I saw special I thought that meant it was a 38 special but I was wrong to assume that then?
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No you were not. It’s .38 Special.
I assume the barrel inscription is hard to read due to the re-finish. At that time, the caliber actually read .38 S&W SPECIAL & US SERVICE CTG in two lines, to remind people it would also fit the .38 Colt, which was used by the US military.
S&W did not harden the cylinders until 1920, so stick to standard target loads if you plan to shoot it, just to be safe and prevent unnecessary wear.