I need help with information about my late father's Smith & Wesson 38 Special.

The barrel is stamped with Smith & Wesson on one side and 38 S&W Special CTG on the other. The serial number on the butt is D199xxx. The Model is 10-6, the serial is 34199 and letters below it are EE.


Can anyone tell me the manufacture date or any other information? Thanks!

You will need to provide a model number and serial number for that info - the barrel of every revolver Smith & Wesson ever made in .38 Special is marked that way. Swing the cylinder out and look at the frame - you'll see numbers like "Model 10-4" and under it the alpha-numeric serial number.

Ed

The number on the butt is the serial number.

Probably made in 69 or 70.

__________________
Regards,
Lee Jarrett

"You will need to provide a model number and serial number for that info..."

Actually, he gave the serial and the D prefix means it can only be a Model 10 variant from 1968 to 1977.

Max, that number 34199 is a tracking number used internally to keep the yoke and frame together, it's not the serial number. The number that you found on the butt of the grip frame is the true serial number.

As for a specific date on when the gun was shipped, you can only obtain that by having the gun "lettered" which is done by the S&W Historian by looking at shipping records. Cost for that was 50 dollars last time I heard.

Unfortunately, without a "letter" we can't identify the specific time frame because S&W will run a large lot of frames, stamp them with serial numbers, and work off that bank for years. In some cases I've seen reports of guns being assembled and shipped up to 15 years after the frames were made.

What you've been told is that the best estimate is that model 10 was produced in the 1969 to 1970 time frame and that's about as close as you can get for a model 10 without having it lettered.

Thanks, I understand. I think the gun was purchased about 2003 so looks like he bought it used, but no way to determine it's true age without the $50 letter.

Sorry for asking for information that was already provided. I didn't see it the first time - old age and failing vision, you know.

Ed

Looks like the DOB is 1969 and the other numbers not the serial number which is D199xxx are manufacturing control numbers and inspection marks used to build the revolver.

The number on the butt (D199xxx) is the serial number.

By the way, CTG is the abbreviation for "Cartridge".

__________________
You're shy a few manners.

This one dates to about 1978 so it would be ten years younger than yours. As you can see, this one is nickeled.

Since the picture was taken, I have put back on the original stocks with a Tyler Grip Adapter.

__________________
You're shy a few manners.

I too have a .38 special ctg airweight model 12-3, was cleaning it today and found a crack in the frame. Can this be repaired? Will try to post photos. Thank you

Here are photos.

Photo1 I highlighted the crack with white wax pencil, the crack goes completely through the frame.
Photo2 Blurry, can see crack just below firing pin.
I really like this tiny thing....and don't want to give it up.

Attached Images

	S&W Crack.jpg (32.5 KB, 423 views)
	S&WCrack2.jpg (32.7 KB, 394 views)

LadyB, I believe the line you are worried about is the sideplate.
Enjoy your revolver.

This sideplate comes off to reveal the internal works for cleaning or work by a qualified gunsmith. Keep the screws snug unless you need to have it removed for repairs.

Ruger revolvers do not have a sideplate, access being through the bottom of the frame, after removing the trigger group. (A similar line appears along the edge of the trigger group where it meets the frame.) Colts have a sideplate on the left. S&W fits it on the right of the frame.

Do not shoot high velocity (Plus P) ammunition in your gun, which has an aluminum frame. The frame is not as strong as steel. The Model 12 was meant to be a lightweight arm for people who have to carry a lot, but shoot seldom. The steel equivalent is the Model 10.

My father in law just gave me a 38 special CTG . It came from his father that was a police officer. the serial number is 580091. Can anyone tell me anything?
The gun looks great for as old as it is.

Welcome to the Forum, mchall1.

Is that number the one that is stamped on the butt of the revolver? Are there any letter prefixes, such as "V", "S", "C", "D" or "K" in front of the number, even if the letter is separated from the digits a bit?

Pictures would be a great help.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

.38 S&W Special CTG #' on butt of gun are C653572
S&W Long Rifle CTG K 34313
Trying to find out the year these were made
Thanks

"Thanks, I understand. I think the gun was purchased about 2003 so looks like he bought it used, but no way to determine it's true age without the $50 letter."

Max42, a letter will not get you the "true age," only the shipping date which is completely different from the manufacturing date. It's doubtful if you need to spend $50 on a factory letter in this case as the information it provides is unlikely to be particularly valuable. By the way, the M&P Model 10-6 production began in 1962. From your serial number, as previously stated, yours is likely to date from 1969-70 but could have shipped much later.

.38 S&W Special CTG #' on butt of gun are C653572 - Probably 1963
S&W Long Rifle CTG K 34313 - Probably 1948
Trying to find out the year these were made

Thank You all that answered, I am new to this forem and am still trying to figure everything out. I know my dad deceased inherted the 38 from his dad that passed in th early 70's and he got it from his dad. Or so that's th understanding. The 22 K 34313 belonged to my G-Dad. Im a little lost on all this...TKS To You all for th help..

Your K22 Masterpiece is a very collectible gun. We would like to see pictures of all the guns, please. Do you have the original boxes?

__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

No box, but will get a picture on here later

Correct.A well fitted seam,not a crack.

I have the pictures downloaded just cant figure out how to get them on this web site, help would be appreciated. Thanks

First, resize the pictures to 800x800 pixels max. Then, you can attach up to 5 pictures to a post by clicking Go Advanced, scroll down and click Manage Attachments. Upload your pictures and enter your post text then post.

Another way is to upload your pictures to a picture hosting site like Flikr, Photobucket or Picasa. Once your pictures are in an album, click the picture and copy the URL. Click on the IMAGE insert icon (mountains and moon) and paste the URL into the insertion box, and insert it into your post. You can do this as many times as you like per post.

__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

I have a 38 S&W Special CTG, it has 3 patented dates on the top of the barrel. Pat. dates: Feb 6, 06, Sep 14, 09, and Dec 29, 14. I have tried to look up info but can not figure out the model or age. And also wondering the value if any way possible. Serial # 583904
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Assuming no letter prefix to the SN, you probably have a pre-WWII (likely early 1930s) Military and Police revolver. It is actually called the S&W Hand Ejector, Model of 1905, Military and Police, 4th Change. These are quite common, as millions were made. Value depends almost entirely upon completeness, condition , and originality, which cannot be assessed without some good pictures. Typical value at retail for one in good condition would be in the $300-400 range.

It's good to know a little something about it, thank you.

I added a few pics I took. The 38 has been blued (professionally done) . There is pitting in the gun although I don't know how well it will show up in the pics. I do know the gun survived a house fire and still shots just fine. The grips are wooden and has scratches. There is one spot on each side of the grip that has a small chip out of it.
As from the pics you really can't make out the serial# but you can tell that there is only 6 digits.

Attached Images

	38sw1.jpg (54.7 KB, 282 views)
	38sw2.jpg (50.8 KB, 202 views)
	38sw5.jpg (53.6 KB, 237 views)
	38sw3.jpg (31.2 KB, 174 views)
	38sw6.jpg (41.8 KB, 153 views)