So, my grandfather kept one .38 when he retired from Chicago. His career spanned from 44-72, so I'm not actually sure if this belongs here or the earlier section. As is usually the case, after he passed, my dad sold it off before I was old enough to do anything about it. I have several distinct memories: It was a S&W, It was a .38 special, It had a t-grip, and It had a recessed cylinder. I'm positive of that last one, because, later in life I was a little shocked when I discovered all revolvers weren't like that. My less certain memories, are 4" rather than 6" and "regular" rear sight vs trough rear sight.

Any ideas?

I don’t believe they ever recessed 38spl cylinders.

If a recessed cylinder, could it have been a RM, NRM or post war 357 mag?
Well no, because of the fixed rear sight. Im perplexed.

__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Depending on when he bought it,it could have been a combat magnum.
A 38 wouldn't have a recessed cylinder

Not sure the wording regarding the rear sight.
I took it to mean adjustable, but?????

I suspect it was a Model 19; however, if fixed
sight and recessed chamber possible a Model
58 which Chicago LEOs were authorized to
carry. Possible just thought it was a .38.

No reason to believe the grandfather had only
one revolver. I suspect he probably in his career
had an M&P, and Official Police and a Model 19
or 15, not to mention assorted J=frames or
Detective Specials.

Chicago officers also owned their revolvers. No
turning in was necessary.

Didn't some .38/44 N frame revolvers have recessed chambers? I don't own one, just asking. I know they were chambered in .38 Special.

That being said, keep in mind, litsnsirn, the agency your grandfather worked for may have only authorized .38 Special ammo, and .357's can chamber .38 Special. That may be the only ammo he was allowed to use, and therefore, how he referred to the gun even if it was a .357.

Well, I know that he carried various things, depending on what he was doing, and I'm sure that between 1944 and 1972 their carry regulations changed. One of the few pictures I have of him working, he's a Lt. plain clothes with a Colt snubbie, which my dad said was a .32.(I think he looks like Lee Marvin in M Squad)

I'm not sure why that S&W was the gun he kept, maybe the utility of it? There was, for sure, no .357 ammo around and there were no dies for it either, between my dad and his dad, they had reloading for .30 carbine, .45 acp and .38 special.

Oh, and sorry, yes, adjustable sight.

The recessed cylinder is something that I remember so vividly about it, maybe I just put the ammo and the gun together and thought .38, but I kind of don't think so. I'm sure I saw that on the barrel.

Recessed cylinder and adjustable sights implies a Magnum.
I'd say 1972 retirement would have most likely been with a Model 19.
A .357 Magnum or Highway Patrolman (Models 27 and 28.) would be way kewl but I would not want to carry one all day.
Lots of departments would allow a Magnum GUN but require it to be loaded with Specials.

Sounds very much as suspected a
Model 19.

As to the .38s, I believe that was Chicago's
official issue ammo and it was known as
the Chicago Load, the FBI load or I think
even the St. Louis load, it being 158 grain
lead hollow point semi wadcutter.

However, though the
.38 was the official issued ammo, officers
could purchase their own ammo be it
.357, .41 Magnum or even .44 Magnum
as well as auto pistol ammo for other guns
they might have or carry.

Grandfather probably just stayed with
the issue ammo, even the classic 158
grain round nose lead.