Need some information (DOB, pre model ?, and value) on these three Smiths:

1. Model 40, serial number L7889 with box and papers. (TOP)

2. Smith & Wesson, blued, 38 special with 2 inch barrel, serial number 8133. (MIDDLE)

3. Smith & Wesson, blued 38 with 2 inch barrel, serial number 66040. (BOTTOM)

All are in very good condition.

Thanks in advance for your assistance with these requests.

Attached Images

	DSC00334.JPG (120.4 KB, 88 views)
	DSC00335.JPG (119.8 KB, 82 views)

These numbers don't look right. The serial number is stamped on the butt (bottom of the grips) of the frame. Some serial numbers include a letter or series of letters in addition to numbers.

Hope this helps.

Steve

Can you post some Images of the three?

The Model 40 is probably from 1974. That L-prefix serial number is uncommon; fewer than 10,000 were produced. The box and papers make it collectible. Hard to price it without seeing pics, but I'm guessing $450-650 depending on condition.

Hard to tell about the other two because S&W made .38 Specials in a variety of configurations with different serial number ranges. If those are small-frame five-shot revolvers, they are probably from 1952 and 1955 respectively. I am guessing they have exposed hammers; if so they would be examples of the Chiefs Special, or Pre-Model 36. If they are marked Airweight, then they are the lighter Chiefs Special Airweight, or Pre-Model 37. Depending on condition, maybe $300-500. A couple hundred more if almost new in box.

__________________
David Wilson

What numbers do not look right?? Numbers were all taken of the bottoom of the grips.

The photos show that the other two guns are indeed Chiefs Special revolvers. They both have the early trigger guard, which is smaller and rounder than the one you see on the Model 40. I think that makes both of these "Baby Chiefs," which are more collectible than the standard CS with the longer trigger guard.

Recently an early Baby Chief in very nice condition sold for nearly $1000 (or maybe even a little over -- I don't recall) in a GunBroker auction. I think that was a fluke, but it showed that at least two collectors valued the model highly. Your guns may be worth a little more than I indicated in my first post, but not every collector would be willing to pay the price those two acquisition duelers were willing to.

CORRECTION: I agree with the observations below. The Baby Chief is the one in the middle, whose serial number is the four digit number. The bottom gun is a Terrier, and its serial number (66040) indicates it was probably shipped in 1952. The postwar Terriers in excellent condition have also been pricy in recent months.

__________________
David Wilson

i think that bottom one is a terrier. should be 38 s&w, not 38 special. hard to tell from the pics.

I was thinking the same thing. The cylinder window and cylinder are too short to shoot 38 special. Probably 38 S&W.

You are correct.............the middle one is a 38 special and the bottom one is the 38 (don't know how I mixed them up).

Yup, 66040 is a Terrier. I should have caught that, and I revised my second post above to reflect the fact. Probably dates to 1952.

__________________
David Wilson