I'm new here. I've got a revolver that my mom gave me. It was her deceased husbands service revolver. It's a four screw, no model number, only production number. Its missing the screw on the frame right behind the trigger. I'm going to clean it up and hopefully have it. Found serial number, under rust on bottom of grip

Sideplate screws for most S&Ws are the same. You can call S&W and ask if they have any blued K-Frame sideplate screws, thats all you need to know. You can also check with Jack First, Google it.

The gun is an early .38 Combat Masterpiece, late-1940s to early 1950s. The model is "Combat Masterpiece", from before 1957 when model numbers were assigned and when this would become a Model 15.

Now the bad news, and something hard to explain since you say the gun was someone's "service revolver"! All post WW II S&W revolvers have the serial number on the butt. If there is no number there the gun if federal contraband and possessing it is a federal felony! Why? Because removing or defacing the serial number is the offense, and whoever is in possession of such a gun is assumed to be the person who removed or defaced the SN! There is no legitimate reason for removing a SN, and this is evidence that the gun was probably stolen or used in a serious crime, or was expected/intended to be used as a crime gun.

You will find duplicate serial numbers on the back of the cylinder, bottom barrel flat when the cylinder is opened, and on the bach of the extractor, the side facing the cylinder when the extractor is pushed out. However the butt number is the legal SN and the problem is that it has been removed per your statement.

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Gunsmithing since 1961

I would like to see a picture of the butt of the gun where the serial# should be.

No serial # can me real jail time, but, there is no one running around checking for serial #'s, so a trafic stop or self defense situation is the only likely way you would be caught.

There are stories of folks getting new serial numbers issued to them from the ATF, The ATF is unlikely to issue you a new serial number but if I were you I would call them and explain your situation, it is likely you will have to surrender the gun, but if you go to them it is extremely unlikely you would be in any sort of trouble.

JMHO.

Welcome to the forum.

Congrats,

Glad to hear there's no legal issues, since you found the # under the rust on the butt.

Take off the stocks and flood the action with a CLP (cleaner-lubricator-preservative) gun product. Let it drain, wipe down the exterior with it, and you'll be ready to shoot and enjoy it!

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Jim
S&WCA #819