|
|
02-17-2012, 09:48 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 16
Likes: 5
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
|
Locate model number S&W 38 Special
Hello everyone, I'am new to the forum and was wondering if someone could tell me where I can locate the model number. I was given this gun after my uncle passed away in 1983. It was his service revolver while he was a police officer. The serial number is K217478. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
|
02-17-2012, 09:53 PM
|
|
Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: PA.
Posts: 9,773
Likes: 50,901
Liked 44,476 Times in 8,620 Posts
|
|
If you open the cylinder it should be stamped lower left on the frame
|
02-17-2012, 09:57 PM
|
Moderator
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Suburban Chicago
Posts: 5,202
Likes: 1,048
Liked 6,619 Times in 1,535 Posts
|
|
Welcome to the forum. The gun is likely a gun made before 1957 when S&W starting stamping them with model numbers. If you give us details of the gun, caliber, barrel length and type of sights we can help you. Even better a few good photos would solve the mystery quickly. I have a feeling it may be a 4" 38 Special which was a common duty gun, also called a Combat Masterpiece which became a Model 15 in 1957.
__________________
John. SWCA #1586
Last edited by hsguy; 02-17-2012 at 09:59 PM.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-17-2012, 09:58 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: NE Iowa
Posts: 5,450
Likes: 1,956
Liked 3,499 Times in 1,287 Posts
|
|
Welcome to the Forum.
That will not have a model number on it, as it was made in 1954, before they started stamping numbers on them. If it is a .38 Special with adjustable sights, as I suspect it is, it is a Combat Masterpiece. In 1957 it was stamped Model 15.
Jim
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-17-2012, 10:09 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 16
Likes: 5
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
|
Thanks for your help. It is a 38 Special with 4" barrel and adjustable sights.
Don
|
02-17-2012, 10:09 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Florida
Posts: 7,783
Likes: 2,486
Liked 8,318 Times in 2,919 Posts
|
|
Does it look like this?
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-17-2012, 10:16 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 16
Likes: 5
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
|
Yes, it looks just like that one.
|
02-17-2012, 10:26 PM
|
Moderator
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Suburban Chicago
Posts: 5,202
Likes: 1,048
Liked 6,619 Times in 1,535 Posts
|
|
Butch, you have a Combat Masterpiece that was later called a Model 15. If the grips look like the ones in the photo if you take them off the right grip will also have the serial number stamped inside. Great guns that were almost ubiquitous among PD's for a while.
__________________
John. SWCA #1586
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-17-2012, 11:03 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 16
Likes: 5
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
|
Thanks for all the quick replies. Would anyone have a general idea of what it may be worth? I fired 1 round thru it last year, seemed to work properly.
|
02-17-2012, 11:38 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 13,996
Likes: 5,005
Liked 7,702 Times in 2,624 Posts
|
|
Condition is everything. If the action is sound, the gun can be classified as at least shooter grade. That ought to be worth a minimum of $250-300. If the finish is in good shape (say 95-98% original, with a little bluing loss and wear at the muzzle and on the high edges), it might be a $400 gun or a little more. In-between condition would bring an in-between price.
A refinished gun would paradoxically be worth less even though it might look better than a gun with a worn original finish. That's because a refinished gun has NONE of the original finish left, and collectors discount for that.
__________________
David Wilson
|
02-17-2012, 11:40 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Florida
Posts: 7,783
Likes: 2,486
Liked 8,318 Times in 2,919 Posts
|
|
If you can post some pictures the members can give you some estimates as it depends on condition and originality.
The one I posted above is a 15-1 and little newer than yours but the same gun and about as clean as they come.
Has a few minor scratches but retains 99% of its original blueing and has its original numbered grips but no box.
I very happily payed $400 at a local gunshow 2 years ago.
A newer 15-3 is advertised locally for $475 for 3 days now unsold
IMO $350 would sell it quickly.
Sometimes worn examples sell in the $200 to $300's range but condition dictates price.
They are good guns you should consider keeping it.
|
09-14-2014, 09:23 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 9
Likes: 4
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
|
New to gun history
Hey guys I've always been accustomed to shooting guns but never really got into the history of them, until a few nights ago. My cousin came home and asked if anyone wanted to buy a revolver with about 150 rounds for fifty bucks. It was not in the greatest condition. I got it and brought it home and noticed that it was a 38 S&W Special CTG. Now I know a 38. Is a good piece and I know that Smith and Wesson is one of the best brands.
So my questions are:
Is there any to tell the make and model on a prize such as this?
Maybe by serial number or something?
|
09-14-2014, 09:34 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Earth
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 3,749
Liked 3,780 Times in 1,388 Posts
|
|
I replied to your first post.
|
02-07-2017, 08:09 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
New to forum also trying to I dentify a bequeathed weapon.
I just joined the forum and read the posts and did not find #'s as suggested here are pics if someone knows the info or how I should proceed. It appears to be a 5 screw model
|
02-07-2017, 08:29 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Earth
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 3,749
Liked 3,780 Times in 1,388 Posts
|
|
You will have to remove those grips to see the serial#. It's located on the bottom of the grip frame. From a cursory look at your pictured revolver, it's been refinished and a front sight was added to the barrel post factory probably because the barrel was shortened. Better pic's will help determining that.
Welcome to the Forum BTW...
Last edited by 824tsv; 02-07-2017 at 08:30 PM.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-07-2017, 09:34 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
Thanks
I will check that I hadn't considered refinishing as part of the equation.
trying to learn how to navigate the forum.
|
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|