When my grandfather passed away, I was given his 38.
My aunts say that he told them that it was the gun he carried as a USMC Officer (stateside) during WW2. Neither they nor I am sure if he meant this particular gun, or just that it was the same type of gun. I believe that this is a prewar "M&P" (what would later be called a Model 10).
Is it possible he purchased his own sidearm?

I'd like to know when this firearm was made (approximately), and make sure that it is safe to fire it with modern .38spl ammunition.

It is s/n 758xx and has the following markings:
Right side - S&W logo cartouche on frame
Left side - "38 S&W SPECIAL" "& U.S, SERVICE CTG'S" on barrel
Top (very worn and difficult to read) - "SMITH&WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS U.S.A." PAT'DAPR 9. 89. MAR 27.94. MAY 21.95. JUL15.95 AUG 4.96" "DEC 29.96 OCT 4.98 OCT 3.01 DEC 17.01 SEP 9.02 JUL 05" on barrel

Any help would be appreciated.

Joedog, welcome to the forum.

You have inherited an oldie. That gun is called a Model of 1905, and with that serial number it would be early production. It was probably shipped about 1906, so it is over a century old. I doubt this gun would have been issued to your grandfather unless he is a lot older than I think he could be. He probably picked it up for himself somewhere along the line. Or could he have inherited it from his father or grandfather?

Can you post pictures? You can either add them as attachments to your posts to this forum (use the "Manage Attachments" button that you see a little lower on the composition page), or just upload your photos to a free photobucket account and put [IMG] links to the photobucket pics in your message.

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David Wilson

Thanks for the help. Will try to get some pics up soon (evidently have to resize them).

Military officers of all branches used to have quite a bit of latitude in their choice of sidearms. An S&W revolver marked "38 S&W SPECIAL & U.S. SERVICE CTG" would be pre WW I vintage.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

If it's not being too pushy (I know there is a book, but I really can't afford to buy it just to look up two serial numbers), I was wondering if anyone might know anything about my other 38 - SS# 18D46xx
Other markings include:
"SMITH & WESSON" on left barrel
"38 S.&W. SPECIAL CTG." on right barrel
"MADE IN U.S.A.
MARCAS REGISTRADAS SMITH & WESSON
SPRINGFIELD MASS." on right frame
"RHKP 2839" on backstrap
Cartouche on left side of frame
various other markings under the grips.

This one is a 1983 production gun made for the Royal Hong Kong police. These usually had a round lanyard ring on the butt.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thank you. When I purchased this one, the seller thought it was a retired Hong Kong police firearm. There are holes for a lanyard ring in the butt, however it was removed and a Hogue monogrip was installed.

Here's the heirloom:

And here's the newer one:




Can you tell me the frame size of this one, since I may want to replace the grips (and add a lanyard loop).

The RKHP gun is the same K frame as the older gun, but with a square butt frame. These were originally blued, so yours has been matte nickeled or hard chromed.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thanks for the answers.

Hi:
In the era of WWII firearms were very difficult to find.
Military Officers often purchased and carried their sidearms.
Your Grandfather probably purchased what he found available, which in that era was a much sought after weapon.
Jimmy