Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! It would be helpful if you can post some pictures. However, from your description, it appears you have a .38 Military & Police revolver from the early 1920's...probably 1923. Several members track these models and can probably narrow down the shipping date. This model has a long history beginning in 1899 and is still produced today as the Model 10. Over 7 million have been produced. They are sought after for their accuracy and the 6" barrel is excellent for target shooting. It's a nice inheritance.
Good information above. From a close known serial number age your revolver was likely made in 1922. If you are interested a letter of authenticity would tell you when it was shipped or sold, its official factory "birthday".
Welcome to the Forum!
You have landed at the perfect place to identify your handgun. Your description is very good, and I am confident that the responses you have received are right on target.
Please post a few pictures. We love pictures here, and one never knows what comments the images will prompt.
Welcome to the Forum, I also think 1922 although it could be early 1923. Here is 452510 which shipped in September 1923 although with a five inch barrel; regrettably not owned by my great grandfather. Yours should look a lot like it though.
Welcome to the Forum, I also think 1922 although it could be early 1923. Here is 452510 which shipped in September 1923 although with a five inch barrel; regrettably not owned by my great grandfather. Yours should look a lot like it though.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
That's purty! Has it even been fired???
pogipogi, does yours have the "MADE IN U.S.A." stamp on the side? That started appearing in mid 1922.
So thank you all for the info. This seems more accurate than what I was told before. First info that was given to me was that the gun was manuf. between 1906 and 1908 but that didn't seem right.
So to answer a few question that were asked - Yes it has "Made in the USA" on it. Also the full serial# is 414707.
Since my Great Grandfather was in WW1/WW2, we were thinking it was his military revolver, and after doing some research I am confident it is. Here are a few pics if it helps with getting more detail on it. Now time to clean it and take proper care of it. And thanks again.
That a pretty one. The stocks on it are recent. It came with stocks like on 22hipower's M&P. It is several years after WWI when shipped. In WWII, the Model 1911A1 semi-auto was the official handgun. There were quite a few .38 Victory revolvers in WWII but most went to the Navy and British Commonwealth. Now he might have carried it, but it would not have been official.
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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629
Last edited by Wiregrassguy; 11-20-2020 at 12:46 PM.
Well that makes sense also. He was in the navy and a captain of his ship and I have seen some old pics of him in uniform with it, but he was never one for following all the rules lol. At least I have more accurate info on it all and appreciate it.
In earlier conflicts personally owned sidearms were much more common, especially those that used issue ammunition (.38 Special and .45 ACP for WW II). It appears it wasn’t carried much, but perhaps as a Navy Captain he just had one of the masters-at-arms act as his gunbearer if needed.
Well that makes sense also. He was in the navy and a captain of his ship and I have seen some old pics of him in uniform with it, but he was never one for following all the rules lol. At least I have more accurate info on it all and appreciate it.
Do you know what his rank was? You don't have to be a Navy captain (same as a Marine Corps, Army, Air Force full colonel) to be the captain of a ship. What ship was he aboard?
Can you post a picture of him in uniform, carrying his S&W?
Help ID great grand fathers 38 special
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