Hello Folks,

I'm new here, but from taking a look through some of these posts, I'm sure I'll get top notch info from this board. Here goes,


The long and short of it is, I was moving an elderly widow from her home (she was being placed into assisted living) and we came across this in a sock drawer.





After a long drawn out verification / transfer process (I live in Canada) I was finally allowed to take her home today.

All I know is that the original owner used this as a service revolver?

Prehaps as a New Brunswick Ranger? and prehaps during WW2.

I believe it's a S&W Military and Police revolver with 6 inch barrel - circa 1940's

She's chambered in .38 S&W

Has "SMITH & WESSON" on the right side of the barrel

"Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass USA
Patented Feb 6 06 Sept 14 09 Dec 29 14" On the top of the barrel

And "38 S&W CTG" on the left side.

Matching serials and various Smith & Wesson markings all around.

The action and lock up are still smooth as spit, with a very nice trigger!


I've posted this on my regular forum and got mixed answers, and a few private offers to buy,

What I want to know is do I have sometype of wartime relic or a common everyday six shooter...

Whats she worth?

Thanks!!

Your guess is pretty much on the mark. Serial number / or partial will give a better estimate of the date it was made but it's most likely a post war S&W M&P 38 spl which later became the model 10. Its the "bread and butter" gun of the S&W company and looks like a civilian model although it has the lanyard ring which could be ordered. Hard to tell on finish by the photos but its worth several hundred dollars. Nice shooter.

Serial Partial is

7393XX

All matching

Plus, the one thing I know for sure is that it's a .38S&W

I tried .38SPL but it's too long.

I've heard that these sometimes had the cylinder boared out to accomadate the .38Spl round. That is not the case this this gun.

Several hundred dollars, can you be any more specific?

Thanks Moosedog!

It's about 1941, by the serial number. Apparently , from your description, it
has no proof markings of any kind. I assume that the gun was in Canada ?
Usually these pre-WW2 38 S&W chamberings went to some governmental agency. but
not necessarily, I suppose.

I would say it would sell for $300 to $350, unless there is some documentation
to support an interesting history.

Later, Mike Priwer

Hi Seth you found you're way in here welcome to the forum everything you want to know about S&W this is the place lots of great knowlegable and friendly people here. I love that gun what a find are you going to keep or sell it . Myself i would keep it. It don't owe you anything you'll kick yourself in the butt later on if you sell it go out and shoot it there a blast to shoot.Take care Rick.

Seth, If this were my gun, I would definately get a factory historical letter to see where it was shipped. It has all the earmarks of a war time shipment to Canada under the British purchasing programs, thru either their Commission or Remington Arms, their Agent. If you look carefully you may, or may not, find a small "C" stamp on the frame which was sometimes applied by the Canadians to revolvers issued to the military. An issue to a Rangers or quasi-military unit may not have had that "C" stamp applied. The gun was shipped late 1940, or early 1941, and appears to be totally unchanged as to it's original configuration. The grips should be numbered to the gun, a plus in value. It's hard for us Americans to estimate values in Canada, due to your restrictive gun laws preventing further importation of these historical firarms. The gun in the USA would sell for $350 to $450 quickly, maybe more if a letter verifies military history, as it would classify as a Pre-Victory Model - hard to come by in the condition of your gun. Ed.

Thanks for the great answers!

Rigmover, something told me I'd run into you here ;p

Opoefc, who do I contact about the historical letter? is there a cost involved?

I'll have a really good look over this gun later tonight, try and get better photos and ID any more markings.

I really don't want to sell her, but it's good to know it's value incase of unexpected financial troubles.

I am very impressed by the quality workmanship in this gun, sure beats my Norks.

Check the S&W website for the form to use to make the request. $30 US and several months wait will get you a letter from Roy Jinks, S&W's resident historian.

Seth, Very nice package - gun, grips...the whole shebang! Keep it and shoot it. These old .38's are a joy to shoot. I think it's fun to letter a gun like yours also. The history can add a whole new dimension to a gun like that. Who knows what a letter from Roy will turn up! Regards, Jerry

Seth,

I have it's cousin at 7389XX. It has a small C broad arrow stamp above the grip at the top of the frame.

Very nice M&P, my favorites !! I would keep it if I were you, and if you did decide to sell it, if I were you, I would tell me about it so I could buy it.......ummmmm,,,,,,yeah......

My brother used to have one of these, and I've seen a photo of RAF pilots in North Africa during the war with them, the butts sticking out of the holsters that were meant for five-inch barrels.

These were just commercial M&P revolvers chambered in .38/200, and thousands were shipped to Commonwealth countries from early 1940 -on.

From about April, 1942, all had five-inch barrels and were gray finished. The earlier ones came in four, five, and six-inch barrels. Those had the usual blue finish. The C" is a Canadian government property mark. If it had been a broad arrow in a "U", it would have been South African issue.


T-Star

I'm really starting to fall in love with the history of this gun...

There is NO broad arrow markings what so ever causing me to believe Texas Star in that it's a commercial M&P.

It's unfortunate that the gentleman owner has pasted on and his widow lacks the capability to fully explain it's origins!

The mystery continues

Seth,
Welcome! Here's a link to the historical letter page on S&Ws Website. Good luck! I'd LOVE to own that gun!

Bob
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/C...5301§ionId=10504