I am new here...trying to figure out how to post a question. My husband has a S&W .38 special CTG....5" barrel. 6 shot...serial # 803037. Trying to identify this model so he can look up the value in the newest blue book. I have to admit to being totally clueless on this. He says it is a double action, and it does have a hammer. S&W on grips, but he said they are walnut, not hard rubber. Any help will be appreciated

Pictures would help. Stay away from the Blue Book, by the time it is published the values are out of date or way too ambitious. Once you get the model figured out look at closed auctions on Gunbroker to get an idea of what they are selling for.

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Without a picture, I'm going to take a SWAG that it is a Model 1905, 4th Change, AKA the .38 Military & Police Revolver. From the description and SN, that seems most likely. If it has adjustable sights, it would simply be a .38 M&P Target. The grips would be round top walnut with a silver medallion and it would have shipped just before WWII. Are you absolutely sure it does not have a letter like "S" before the SN...look under the barrel and verify the SN stamped there matches the one on the butt. At any rate, it would be valued around $400 +/- depending on finish condition.

__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

803037 would indicate shipment around November 1941. There are several possibilities, but it is definitely a K-frame. Probably a civilian Military and Police (M&P) model. As stated, the Blue Book will not be of much help in determining its value. Values can vary widely based upon its condition and how it would be sold, and also in what part of the country. Range could be $200-$600+. Pictures would help greatly in assessment of its condition, as right now you have provided almost nothing useful to aid in estimating a reasonable value. My advice would be to forget about a precise valuation unless you intend to sell it in the immediate future.

Our friend from the wiregrass is leading you on the right track.

However, at 803037, S is not a possibility. It would have either no prefix or an SV prefix. The simple S just doesn't show up that early. However, the presence or absence of the SV will make a time difference of approximately 5 years. The SV would be on the butt, the rear of the cylinder and the barrel flat, if it exists at all.

__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

You're quite sure that it's a .38 Special, not a .38 S&W caliber?


Given the barrel length and the date of shipment above, it may well be a British service revolver, called a .38/200, because they originally used a 200 grain lead bullet. By WWII, they had dropped bullet weight to 178 grains and bullets were full metal jacketed (FMJ) to comply with the Hague Accords re service ammo in civilized wars. Does it have British or Commonwealth proof or ownership markings? They bought 4,5, and six inch barrels, but five inch are most common.


Whether the chambering is for .38 S&W or .38 S&W Special, it's a Military & Police model. Huge numbers of the Victory variation were made in WWII, not just for the British, but for US Navy, Coast Guard, etc. and for defense plant guards.


GOOD, SHARP photos will tell us a lot.


Welcome to the board. Value may be from $200-$400. More is optimistic, unless it's in nice shape with box and papers.


Of course if it can be PROVEN to have belonged to a famous person, value skyrockets.

Of course, given the limitations of the OP's description, both C and D prefixes can't be excluded yet either ...

Good point!

__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318