I HAD a Smith & Wesson 38. It was a Chrome Revolver with a brown hard plastic type grip, it was possibly some type of formica. I have the SN #412829. It was stolen from my Gun Cabinet last week. My wife had the SN # recorded but not the model number. Is there anyone that can help me with the Model number based off the SN#? It is an older Model 38 Special. Maybe 30 years old, not really sure. All I really have to work with is the SN# & the Fact that its a Smith & Wesson 38 with a shrouded Hammer. I need the Model # and year if possible so I can turn the info over to the Insurance adjuster and the Sheriff Office Investigator. Mainly the Insurance adjuster, The Inestigator told me the SN was enough for NCIC but he would like to have the Model #. The Insurance adjuster told me I MUST have the Model number & age of the gun in order to add it to my insurance claim.
Thanks for any help I can get.

A shrouded hammer says it is a Bodyguard.
If an Airweight with aluminum frame, Model 38, if all steel, Model 49.
SCSW does not have production broken down by year, all I can say for sure is between 1962 and 1969.

OK - I will take a stab at this. First - nickel, not chrome... If hammer is exposed at top of shroud it is a model 49 - model 38 if airweight. If solid and no hammer exposed at all, model 40 if steel and model 42 if airweight. The grips sound aftermarket with little value. Google these models along with Centenial and Bodyguard and check out the pics.

Model 40/42 serial numbers did not run that high.

Was it a six shot .38 Special? Any recollection if there was a letter in front of the digits? Did the serial number read with the barrel pointing left or right?

If a six round cylinder with no letter in the SN, it would be some type of .38 Military & Police revolver. That is as close as anyone can get without more details.

Edit to add: missed the detail about the shrouded hammer. If a lightweight (alloy frame), probably a model 38. A steel frame, a model 49 as noted above.

With no letter prefix to the SN, likely a 1965 gun. With a J in front, probably 1976. Hope you find it.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

On a side note, unfortunately the investigator is right. This stolen gun will show up there as a S&W, .38 (what kind of .38 is of no interest in the database, as I've had occasion to find out), and a six-digit numerical serial.

Shall we make a list how many different revolvers that are NOT the OP's stolen gun will now produce a hit if they're run through NCIC for whatever reason? Especially if, as happens frequently, any prefix is overlooked?