i have inherited a s&w top break pistol. i would like to know as much info on this as possible.on the barrel it is engraved with 38 cal s&w CTGE.the cylinder has 88 stanped on the top.the number stamped on the bottom is 103088 . it has three screwa on the left side and one screw in the butt handle. it has a permanent front and rear sight.my uncle was a pilot in WW11. Could this have been his service weapon? also, how much is it worth? thank you
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38 cal s&w ctge
- Thread starter dldtbbm
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Welcome! If you have exactly quoted the stampings on the gun it does not sound to be a Smith & Wesson; the abbreviation "CTG" was used but not CTGE. Photos would help here.
It is possible it was carried unofficially in war, but at that time the issue sidearms would have been the M1911/A1 .45 and the .38 Special Victory Model. Hope this is helpful.
It is possible it was carried unofficially in war, but at that time the issue sidearms would have been the M1911/A1 .45 and the .38 Special Victory Model. Hope this is helpful.
DWalt
Member
You need to provide considerably more information for a positive ID. Is it single action or double action? Is the hammer visible or not? For that matter, we do not know for sure that it is even a S&W as you have not provided markings. A picture or two would help a great deal. Without a few good detailed pictures, its condition and originality cannot be assessed and a valuation estimate cannot be made. Condition is everything. However, it is extremely unlikely that it was used during WWII.
Jim Watson
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If it is really marked CTGE then it is probably a Harrington & Richardson or Iver Johnson in .38 S&W caliber.
It was certainly not issued to a WWII pilot, the only US top breaks officially in WWII were some H&Rs made for defense plant security guards to free up Colts and Smiths for the armies. But there were a fair number of personally owned weapons taken to war, so Grandpa might have had it along on his own hook.
It was certainly not issued to a WWII pilot, the only US top breaks officially in WWII were some H&Rs made for defense plant security guards to free up Colts and Smiths for the armies. But there were a fair number of personally owned weapons taken to war, so Grandpa might have had it along on his own hook.
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From your description of the stock panels, it is a Harrington & Richardson. Did I mention photos would help here? 
DWalt
Member
Concur on H&R. In addition to the stock insignia, H&R was located in Worcester Mass. in the early days. H&Rs are well-built and serviceable guns, but not in the same league as Colt and S&W regarding value and collector interest.
It's somewhat unusual to find old H&Rs in good condition as most of them apparently lived hard lives and show it. One in top condition will have some collector value due to rarity.
It's somewhat unusual to find old H&Rs in good condition as most of them apparently lived hard lives and show it. One in top condition will have some collector value due to rarity.
