I ran across this handgun after cleaning out my mother's house. It belonged to my step father who passed away in 1985 so only know the gun is older than that. These are the numbers I can find on it: D784367 and 38 S-W spl. I'm looking to find out the age and approximate value.

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Welcome to the Forum.
I think it says .38 S&W Special Ctg. Probably on the side of the barrel.
The Catalog dates that serial number to 1975 or 1976. Most likely it is a M10. That is the Military and Police revolver. Millions were made and they are not real costly, although they are nice revolvers and good shooters.
What is the barrel length, measured from muzzle to front of cylinder?

It was your Dad's gun. What a buyer will give you is unimportant. If you ask me, it's priceless.
Jim

Thank you for your clarification on my (.38 S & W). What you say about if being military makes sense as he was career Navy. It belonged to my mother's husband and my brother has someone that wants to buy it for $100 to $125 so was looking to see it that was in the ballpark. Thanks again.

Unless the gun is in really bad shape your brother's buddy is trying to get over on some one. More information is required, like pictures.

You will need to be a lot more specific. For example is it a Revolver or Semi Automatic? What is the caliber, that is normally stamped on the side of the barrel on a revolver and in the barrel hood inside the opening where the cases are ejected?

What is the serial number? On S&W revolvers this is ALWAYS found in one specific location, that being the bottom of the grip frame. Because many styles of grips can cover up this area you will have to remove the grips and look. On the semi autos the serial number is typically located on the frame above and forward of the trigger on one side or the other.

Finally, pictures are of immense value and you can upload pictures to this sight by clicking on the Go Advanced tab and uploading an image file from your computer to this forum.

Right now your question is sort of equivalent to stating you found a Ford motor car and want to know what it's worth. Since Ford made cars ranging from the Pinto to the GT40 you should realize that your question can't be answered until you provide some specifics.

Unless the gun is in really bad shape.......Like dragged behind a truck.

depending on condition and barrel length it is most likely a $300.00 + gun.

__________________
Paul
S&WCA #2726

A 4" barrel I ask $400. A 2" barrel I ask $500.

A friend offering $100 isn't much of a friend. I'd kick his ***.

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No life story has happy end.

From your photo it appears to have quite a bit of blue loss on the cylinder probably from how it was stored. Open it up, look on the inside of the frame section where the crane fits and there should be more stampings with the model number and perhaps the serial number (which if there, should match the one you originally posted). Having the exact model number would help-i.e. 10-6, 12-2. Also your serial number puts it in 1975-76 time frame. Others might be able to get closer than that.

S&W called their medium-framed revolvers the M&P (Military & Police) series. That was simply their designation. It did not mean that any individual revolver in the series was military issue or police issue. S&W has sold these to the public in large numbers throughout the history of the M&P series.

from picture i would say roughly 350-400. $100 is way to cheap someone is trying to steal it.

OK, now I see the photo. Deduct $125 from both figures I gave due to finish.

__________________
No life story has happy end.

Something doesn't look correct here. The cylinder has exceedingly more wear (literally no bluing left) than the frame. Is this an alloy (lightweight) S&W? Was the cylinder cleaned in something adverse to the finish ?

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I am looking at the photo and the trigger guard looks a little odd to me. Maybe it is just the angle of the picture. What say you all?

$250 would be fair in these parts.
That thing is a little beat up, but a lot of guys like beat up revolvers.
That is a good carry piece and makes an adequate defensive arm.

My guess would be a 2” model 10-7 or 10-8. If it’s in good mechanical condition with just the bluing on the cylinder worn off, I would value it at about $300 +/- $50. But, The $100 offer is a rip-off.