My father inherited 2 old smith and wesson revolvers. The only thing that is stamped on them is .38S&W. Will .38 Special ammo work for it? Or is this something special? One looks like an old Blue Model 22? Not sure what models they really are maybe I will post some pics soon... any info will help

My father inherited 2 old smith and wesson revolvers. The only thing that is stamped on them is .38S&W. Will .38 Special ammo work for it? Or is this something special? One looks like an old Blue Model 22? Not sure what models they really are maybe I will post some pics soon... any info will help

They are two different rounds and are not interchangeable. The .38 S&W uses a shorter, and slightly fatter, case that will usually not chamber in a .38 Special revolver.

You can see the difference in this photo I poached:

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.38 S&W and .38 S&W Special are not the same and are not interchangable. Some makers used to mark their revolvers .38 SMITH & WESSON ctg. in the hopes people would think they were S&W revolvers instead of brand "X". Given the stampings you mention-and the lack of the S&W logo, you may have off brands chambered for .38 S&W caliber cartridges.

The .38 S&W is a shorter cartridge with a larger diameter case. It shouldn't chamber in a revolver chambered for .38 Special. It's not unknown for .38 S&W revolvers to be reamed to take .38 Special. The oversize chambers that result will cause bulged cases on firing.

The .38 Special is a longer cartridge, the barrel marking should include the "Special" if it's chambered for that.

Cool thanks for all the info guys

Looking at the picture... the .38S&W and the .38 Colt are a lot a like... are they interchangable?

The 38 S&W was also known as the Colt New Police.
Any of the .38 from this era will fire in a .38 Spl or .357 revolver, if it will chamber...

Also, some of the old guns are overbored in length and will accept the longer .38 Spl or even .357, which should NEVER be shot in them.

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here are some pics of them... can anyone give me any info on them?

The large one looks like a five-screw K-frame M&P, probably a WWII production model for the Commonwealth Forces due to its 5" barrel and .38 S&W chambering (It does not say "Special" on the barrel, right?). I should be a good shooter if the mechanics check-out and the cylinder chambers have not been lengthened in an attempt to get it to shoot .38 Special. From your pics, it looks like it is in great condition, and a very nice firearm to have in your family.

I would post some better pics of it in the 1896-1961 forum to get a real knowledgeable assessment.

The bottom on is a cheap model by H&R, sometimes know by such names as "Young American" or "American Bulldog". I would not shoot it unless you are knowledgeable about the special precautions needed with these off-brand guns...

The larger pistol does look kinda like a S&W Military & Police. There seems to be a logo on the sideplate, can't make it out. Your inability to locate a serial number is troubling. Should be located on the butt near the lanyard loop.

What also appears to be missing is "SMITH & WESSON" on the left hand side of the barrel. The right hand side of the barrel should have the caliber markings. You may want to post these pictures on the Smith & Wesson Hand Ejectors 1896-1961 forum. The gents who hang out there are more versed in the details of the older production series. The hammer spur doesn't quite look right, but I'm not an expert.