my dad left me his old s&w .38special revolver trying to find out a little about it. the serial# c 108941. right side of barrel38s.&w. special ctg. on the frame it says made in usa marcas registradas smith&wesson springfield, mass.

If you open up the cylinder and look below the barrel there should be a model designation stamped there (see the picture). That will tell you more about the gun than the serial number. Normally when post serial numbers you "X" out the last 3 numbers as they're not needed to determine year of manufacture.

Actually C108941 would have been made before model numbers were assigned so you won't find one stamped in the crane.

The "C" letter prefix in 38 Special is unique to the 38 Military & Police revolver and yours would have been made in approximately 1950. In 1957 (when model numbers were assigned) the M&P became the model 10. It is perhaps the "signature" model of Smith & Wesson as it has been in continuous production (with various engineering changes) since 1899 with well over four million produced. It was a very popular sidearm for law enforcement when your Dad's was produced and came in 2", 4", 5" and 6" barrel lengths, with 4" being the most common.

Welcome to the Forum and enjoy that fine S&W. Having been your Dad's makes it very special. We'd all enjoy seeing pictures if you'd like to share. Who knows, with a little encouragement we'll show pictures of ours.

Russ

i took my pistol to a gunsmith the only thing he could tellme that it is called a 5 screw does his mean any thing

"Five-screw" is a major classification for all S&W revolvers; it identifies guns with four screws in the sideplate and one screw in the frame in front of the trigger guard. In 1956 a sideplate redesign eliminated one of the screws, creating the four-screw class of revolvers. Years later, the frame screw in front of the trigger guard was eliminated, creating the three-screw class.

So being a five-screw gun is completely consistent with what Russ told you. The only thing I would add to his comments is that S&W did not have a formal policy of shipping revolvers in serial number order, so your gun might have gone out as late as early 1951 if it languished in inventory for a while.

Yes, pics!

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David Wilson

thinks for the information tryed to down load pics the sight won't let me

Hi,

Mine is just a year or so, and maybe even less, earlier than yours. Although yours may have a different barrel length (mine's a 5"), and either blued or nickel, these are neat M&P model revolvers. Lots were made so they aren't too pricey to buy, but the M&P (later called the Model 10) could arguably be considered one of the key handguns that defined the S&W company and kept 'em in business throughout all these years.

Enjoy your dad's "special" .38.

If your gun has the original stocks, they should look like these and be serial numbered with the gun on the inside of the right stock (grip).





Hope this helps,

Tom

PS: There are internet sites, such as Photobucket that are free for you to UPLOAD your photos too . . . and they are very easy to learn how to use . . . and free too.

Once they are uploaded to their site you can copy the web address for a specific photo and "paste" it into your posts here to link that website address so the photo will display. Once you get the hang of it you'll find it is quite easy!

that looks like it but mine is blue got pics on photobucket can't get it here

Here are the instructions, look for the Upload video and photos link on the home page, cut and paste the correct link and it should work:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/forum-o...new-format.htm

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220