Just cleaned up an older S&W .38 Special my father had. It's a stainless, five screw hand ejector with fixed sights. There's no model number behind the yoke (there is a number behind the yoke, 26793, with a U above the number and a 9 below it), the serial number on the barrel and butt is C 223501. Any information about the age or history of the gun would be appreciated. It cleaned up nice and looks to be in pretty good shape. I.ve attached a photo (I hope)

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It is a nickle plated Military and Police 38 Special from about 1951.

Thanks for the quick reply. Any idea about the value.

Hard to say with just one picture but I would say $350-400 as a good guess. Is the hammer, trigger, and ejector star nickle plated ?

Welcome to the Forum.

I can't tell for sure, but it might be chrome plated. Chrome has a bluish tint, while nickel usually has a yellowish tint.The plating was done outside of the factory, as S&W rarely plated hammers and triggers. The grips are post 1968 targets.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

No stainless revolvers until the Model 60 snub in 1965. Anything shiny before then from the factory was nickel plated.


And very often, that nickel finish flakes off or just wears to where it looks awful. I hate nickeled guns, partly for that and partly for their image, with which I agree with Gen. Patton. He equated pearl grips and (I think nickel finish) with the sort of gun a pimp in New Orleans might favor.


Your gun has been refinished outside the factory, and any collector value is gone, nor will most sophisticated/discerning S&W fans want it. Even those who like shiny objects usually prefer a factory original nickel finish.


But the general public is less discriminating and usually can't tell a factory finish from what you have. It 's probably worth $250 as a using gun by the masses. The grips/stocks, though, may well interest someone here, and are not original to the gun. They are S&W's larger target stocks and seem in good condition. I'd put used rubber grips on the gun and try to get maybe $275 for it, or trade for something better. Then, I'd offer the stocks to S&W enthusiasts. Some will pay as much as $100 for those stocks alone.


Of course, if the gun works right, and you just want a sound working revolver, no need to sell.

Thanks for all the feedback. I've attached a few more pictures. Not that concerned about the value (I've never sold a gun) I just wanted to make sure I wasn't holding onto something that had more value than I knew

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This gun was given to my father by a retired Philadelphia police officer. I don't know if it was a service revolver there or he just picked it up somewhere

I'm new to the site and saw some folks referring to a letter they could get that would provide more of the guns history. Could anyone tell me exactly how I go about that?

Hello OP, you have Dads gun that had been gifted to him. What a special gun and gift. I have several from Dad. All family treasures.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Here is a link:

Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation - Letter Process - Insuring that the rich history of Smith & Wesson will continue for generations to come

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Go here:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/downloa...?do=file&id=17

Be advised you will find out the shipping date, the barrel length, type of grips and the finish. Also, to whom it shipped. Most went to distributors .

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!