New (to me) 638 - help needed

[SecurityGeek]

I just bought my first j-frame in many years, and I'll be grateful for any info anyone can provide. It's a 638, no dash, with wood grips that are not serialized to the gun. It's got a fairly shiny aluminum frame but is not marked "Airweight". The serial is BEK7734. I also have the original "revolver, revolver, revolver...) box and papers.

Thanks.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Neat find.

The reason the barrel isn't stamped "Airweight" is because it's stainless steel -- I've not seen a stainless barrel stamped Airweight on any S&W.

If the stocks are original they shouldn't have a serial number stamp. Your new Bodyguard is likely from '89, and S&W stopped stamping serial numbers on J-frame stocks around '82.

 

[326MOD10]

It does appear to have "638" on the crane area stamp.

Odd because I would agree that it appears to be 649, that would be stainless.

This will be interesting if anyone has any other information.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Odd because I would agree that it appears to be 649, that would be stainless.

It's not a 649.

It's an alloy frame with stainless steel barrel, cylinder and yoke.

 

[SecurityGeek]

Here's what I was given on another forum:

"Your model 638 shipped in 1989. It is somewhat of an oddball since not very many no dash 638's were made. The 638 was introduced in 1989. It had a 1 7/8" barrel and what was called a clear anodized fuse alloy. It had a 1/10 th inch thick front sight and Walnut Magna grips. It was built on the JA sized frame, meaning the original, non- magnum J frame. They were made for a distributor called Ellett Bros. The Standard Catalog doesn't say how many were made (estimated about 500). By 1989 the factory was no longer stamping serial numbers on grips.

Next the front sight was changed to 1/8 inch wide with the 638-1. Approximately 1200 were made.

In 1996 the 638 was reintroduced with the 638-2. This was built on the magnum J frame and came with Uncle Mikes boot grips. It was laser etched, Airweight.

Your 638 is pretty obviously one of the originals made for Ellett Bros. Distribution. I think it's very cool. With the box and documents, you probably have something that would be of interest to certain collectors."

 

[Old cop]

I carried the older Model 38 as a b/u to my issued Model 15 in the ‘70s and have been looking for another one for years. These are hard to come by so hang onto it.

 

[rbmac52]

Nice gun and nice grab. Those early 638s are fairly scarce!

SecurityGeek has provided a very detailed response concerning the very first Models 638, originally commissioned by the Ellett Brothers Distributors. The SCSW 4th Edition also provides much of that same information.

The Model 38 is my favorite j-frame revolver and I have three of them now, including a NIB Ellett Brothers 638, a 38 no-dash in nickel, and my 38-2 in matte blue, which is my EDC.