OLD 38 CIC

[larry8]

I have this old 38 and it is stamped CIC on both sides just above the grip.
It has a 5" long barrel that looks to be tapered
S/N: 469XXX
5 screw with a strain screw
Hand ejector fixed site
38 S+W Special CTG
Made in 1923
I asked The American Rifleman" mag for an estimate of value 9 years ago, so I don't think that estimate is any good today.
Any info would be appreciated.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

You would need to post more and better pictures and it would help to know at the very least how many digits in the serial number you are hiding. Good sharp pictures showing the markings so someone can tell if it is original or refinished.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

This .38 M&P was made in 1923 so the serial has 6 digits. IMO, it is valued in the $400-500 range. If CIC has some significance to a niche collector, maybe a bit more. If it is the initials of a previous owner, it probably detracts from value.

 

[larry8]

OK, I Purchased this gun in 2012 and as far as I know the person I bought it from had it for about 15 years. I removed the grips to clean it, but it had very little carbon/dirt anywhere. Most of the internals had very little wear, so I think it was not shot very much. The finish looks original (to me) and there is very slight turn line on the cylinder.
The CIC stamped in the frame is not very deep and If I care to, I could polish it out and re-blue.
What I worry about is shooting it being so old. The metals back then were not as good as the metals now and gunpowder is better and more powerful now too. So I am reluctant to shoot it unless I can find some low power cartridges for it.

 

[DARE]

Probably a good idea to let a gun smith look at it. If it is mechanically sound I would not hesitate to shoot it. Here is my gun from 1913 that I shoot pretty often.

 

[DWalt]

Your fears about its safety are unfounded. Shoot anything you want in it. Do not consider doing refinishing. It is what it is, leave it alone.

 

[Goony]

Shoot anything you want in it.

I wouldn't go quite that far, avoid any +P loads.

 

[larry8]

I'm going to try to get a box of those low pressure cartridges (i cant think of the name for them right now). Cowboy??
I had the gun all apart to examine each of the internals and each part looked almost like new, so I don't think whoever had it before me did much shooting with it. There is not any pitting or rust either. Just for the information, I have disassembled at least 30 or so S&W revolvers and quite a few Rugers and other ones so I know a little about the wear on the innerds. I'm a mech. engineer not a gunsmith. All of the guns that I bought were mostly new (or used if It was one that I really wanted). Each gun before shooting it I disassembled it, cleaned all the internal and outside parts, oiled, then took it to the range and fired at least 5 to 10 rounds, then back home to disassemble it and clean it again, before putting it in my safe.

 

[Jim Watson]

.38 Special is not now loaded any hotter than it ever was, some say not as hot, and the steel hasn't weakened with age.
I would shoot the 158 grain lead bullets standard in 1923 or the 148 grain midrange wadcutter. The usual econoball 130 grain plated or jacketed won't hurt anything, but it might not shoot to point of aim.

 

[Alk8944]

What I worry about is shooting it being so old. The metals back then were not as good as the metals now and gunpowder is better and more powerful now too. So I am reluctant to shoot it unless I can find some low power cartridges for it.

You are assuming things that simply are not true. Currently made ammunition that is to SAAMI standards is perfectly safe for any gun chambered for that cartridge, as long as the gun itself is in safe condition. It would be a good idea to avoid any .38 Special +P ammunition, but all standard pressure loads are perfectly safe.

 

[Sniper to you]

I have this old 38 and it is stamped CIC on both sides just above the grip.
It has a 5" long barrel that looks to be tapered
S/N: 469XXX
5 screw with a strain screw
Hand ejector fixed site
38 S+W Special CTG
Made in 1923
I asked The American Rifleman" mag for an estimate of value 9 years ago, so I don't think that estimate is any good today.
Any info would be appreciated.View attachment 754863

The cic most likely stands for US counterintelligence corps.

 

[jurnes]

The suggestion to have it looked at be a gunsmith is a good idea.

 

[DWalt]

I wouldn't go quite that far, avoid any +P loads.

I think using +P loads is really dumb on several levels, but unsafe? Definitely not.

 

[SS336]

Great revolver. I like it a lot. Go ahead and shoot and enjoy it.
I shoot my 1915 M&P all the time. Standard pressure loads won’t hurt it.