Can someone tell me what i have

[V8GremlinX]

I just inherited 2 guns from my late grandfather. im working on getting them registered before i take claim, since they have never been that i know of. I've already found info on 1 which was a 1941 Colt Official Police 38. but the other is a Smith and Wesson. description on gun is 38.3 W Special CTG and serial number is 3604XX. (info taken by father and text to me) if anyone could help me out i would greatly apreciate it. Looking for possible year and is it even worth it to get registered or what. im new to guns. but ive went from 0 last week to 7 this week lol


Rich

 

[chud333]

Pictures would help us out tremendously. Even crude ones.
Lot's of guys on here to help you out.


Chuck

 

[murphydog]

Welcome to the Forum. There are a few possibilities, but if it has a six-shot cylinder and there is no letter in front of the number you quoted it is most likely a .38 Military & Police from the early 1920s.

Could you tell us what registration process you may need to follow for it? Hope this is helpful.

 

[V8GremlinX]

I have no pictures atm. will see if i can get one. though i inherited them. he's making me pay 100 if i can legalize them. i live in Michigan. I've been told it shouldn't be a issue as long as there not stolen or used in a crime.

 

[scooter123]

As a Michigan resident I can brief you on what is required to transfer them into your name.

First, you'll need to stop at a local Police Department or Sheriff's Office to obtain a Pistol Purchase Permit for each handgun. BTW, that's for handguns only, long guns are excluded from this requirement. Cost for each permit is 10 bucks and you'll also have to fill out a Firearms Safety Questionaire.

Second, while at that Police Station or Sheriffs Office you'll want to get a Sales reciept for each handgun.

Then it's simply a matter of properly recording the information and serial numbers on the Sales Reciepts and returning them to the PD within 10 days of acquiring the guns.

Now, a couple of notes on Serial Numbers. Sometimes what may seem like serial numbers are nothing more than tracking numbers. With a S&W revolver the ONLY consistent location for the serial number is on the bottom of the Grip Frame, which means that you may have to remove the grips. As for the number that may be stamped under the crane, for most of S&W's history those numbers were used to keep the frame and crane together after they were fitted to each other and that is NOT a serial number.

 

[glowe]

You most likely have a .38 Military & Police and that serial number would most likely be 1920, so it is a modern firearm.

Don't make the registration more difficult than it has to be, just inform the agent that you inherited the guns from your grandfather. In that case, you only need to take the guns to your local police department and fill out the paperwork there, and that way, you don't need to get a purchase permit or deal with an ffl agent.

 

[rboineau]

Glad I don't live in Michigan.

 

[V8GremlinX]

i am heading to where the gun is today. i will double check for serial number and getva few pictures. is there any value to this gun if its a military and police 38 from the 20's. the gun does look almost identical to the 1941 colt official police that i got also. just a slightly different grip Ty everyone for there thoughts

 

[murphydog]

Value is most dependent on its condition, particularly of the metal finish. Call it $200 for a worn one and $600 as new (this is where photos are helpful ).

 

[V8GremlinX]

I was able to take a picture of it. has some grime on it, but should look like new once cleaned. it is super clean. doesn't look to have been fired but maybe once or twice. hopefully this picture will help determine what year of gun etc. serial number is 3604XX found on handle and barrel

 

[Taylor_DL]

Michigan

Glad I don't live in Michigan.

Ain't that a fact. I know a few bent people who tote handguns. Most of these people do it for the feeling of POWER and intimidation rather than to protect themselves. On the other hand, I have not heard of one incident where a person with a carrier's permit has had a tragedy. So I guess all is well.

I just stay away from the loose cannons.

 

[pharmer]

A very nice, old M&P. Book shows "1915-1942 ser#'s 241704-700000". Probably 1920's somewhere. Joe

 

[Sebago Son]

Note the late postwar stocks and blued hammer and trigger. My money is on this being a non-Smith refinish.

 

[V8GremlinX]

i know for a fact that its been in a drawer for 35 years. next to a 41 Colt Official Police. so if it was refinished it was before then. i really was looking forward to shooting it but i dont wanna hurt it lol.


Rich

 

[V8GremlinX]

What kind of ammo would i use in this gun? seems there a large variant of 38 ammo

 

[DWalt]

Definitely Pre-WWII, likely early 1920s. Ammunition is the common .38 Special. Wouldn't recommend shooting +P loads, just stick to standard lead bullet loads. Grips are not original, finish looks too good to be original, but there are telltale indications of a re-blue, mainly rounding of square corners, dishing of screw holes, weak stampings, if hammer and trigger are blued, etc. Most people would have to hold it in their hand to tell for sure. Yours looks to have a blued trigger and hammer, if so, that's not good, and would indicate a non-factory refinish. If so, you have a good, if not excellent, shooter, and that's all.

 

[feralmerril]

Does the law there say you HAVE to regester them? Be a cold day in hell before I would regester them if I didnt have to.

 

[dannybot]

Looks like a model 10, no idea of the value though

 

[reitejl]

Howdy I am far from the expert here lets see what the Guru's say but it looks like a 38 hand ejector that's been refinished. Is the hammer and trigger blued hard to tell for sure in pic????

 

[Speedo2]

removed PC