Quote:
Originally Posted by hug3113
Just trying to find info and value of 38 S & W Special - pearl handled - 495790 on bottom of handle
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Can you post some photos and give some more details? Any other markings? Barrel length? Condition (mechanical and finish)?
I'm assuming that there is no "V" preceding the serial number, is that correct? Which makes it a pre-WWII, pre-model 10, otherwise known as the original Military & Police (M&P) model. This gun became the "Victory" of WWII fame once the serial number hit 1,000,000 (roughly 1940?) and then the Model 10 in 1957. I think that the handles (gripes) are not original. I'm sure someone will chime in with a fairly precise date of manufacturing, but I'd hazard a guess that it was mid to late 1930s.
When you say the SN is on the "bottom of handle" is that the metal strap that separates the grips at the butt? There should also be a SN on the inside of yoke (that thing that swings the cylinder out, visible with the cylinder open) and on the face (extractor/loading side) of the cylinder, and in the flat spot underneath the barrel just where it comes into the frame.
What affects value?
--Quality & type of finish and whether it's original.
--Good mechanical condition.
--Matching SNs on the various parts & original grips (with matching SNs) adds value.
--Not rechambered. A lot of pre-Victories and Victories were issued to Great Britain and allies in .38 S&W (not "Special") and after the war rechambered to .38 S&W Special by reaming the cylinder and replacing the barrel (the .38 S&W is a larger diameter round with a shorter cartridge and develops a much lower chamber pressure). These rechambered revolvers have a lower value than an original of either caliber.
--Any unusual markings that might mean it was a special edition or smaller production run (e.g., the Victories issued to the Navy and Australia tend to fetch better prices than the others because they are rarer).
--Barrel length, if uncommon, can add significantly to the value.
--Whether all original features (i.e., lanyard ring, original sights, etc) are present and intact.