I obtained this pistol and know nothing about it. It has .38 smith and wesson CTG stamped on the barrel. Also if you open up the cylinder there is a 6737 stamped on the frame. I couldn't get a clean picture of the number. On the bottom of the handle there is a serial number 6677xx stamped on the frame. Also if you remove the grips this same serial number is stamped on the inside of one of the grips, dont remember which one. I was hoping that somebody might be able to provide me with some information on this pistol as to how old it is, or any other information you might know. Thanks Josh
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.38 special CTG identification
- Thread starter Horvath1
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Welcome to the forum. You have an example of the most successful handgun Smith & Wesson ever built, the Model of 1905/Fourth change, which first appeared in 1915 and continued in production until after WW2.
Is there a letter "V" in front of the serial number on the butt? It may appear to be separated by several spaces. If there is, then your gun is a so-called "Victory" model; these guns were manufactured under contract for US and British services beginning in 1942 and continuing until the end of the war.
If your gun is labeled "38 S&W CTG" rather than "38 S&W SPECIAL CTG", then it was a unit made specifically for British Commonwealth forces and is sometimes referred to as the 38/200. The .38 S&W cartridge is different from the .38 Special.
Many .38 S&W revolvers were converted to .38 Special and reimported into the United States after WW2.
These guns are not rare because so many millions were made throughout their production lifetime. But they are excellent and accurate shooters; millions of them would not have been distributed if they didn't have a reputation for reliability.
If there is no "V" or any other letter in front of the serial number, the gun is earlier -- late 1930s. But then it should have been chambered in .38 Special, not .38 S&W.
EDITED TO ADD: I should also have said that the numbers on the yoke and facing frame surface are process control numbers and can be ignored. The serial number is the one on the butt, which should also be seen on the flat underside of the barrel and the rear face of the cylinder. (And a couple of other places too, but they are harder to see.)
Is there a letter "V" in front of the serial number on the butt? It may appear to be separated by several spaces. If there is, then your gun is a so-called "Victory" model; these guns were manufactured under contract for US and British services beginning in 1942 and continuing until the end of the war.
If your gun is labeled "38 S&W CTG" rather than "38 S&W SPECIAL CTG", then it was a unit made specifically for British Commonwealth forces and is sometimes referred to as the 38/200. The .38 S&W cartridge is different from the .38 Special.
Many .38 S&W revolvers were converted to .38 Special and reimported into the United States after WW2.
These guns are not rare because so many millions were made throughout their production lifetime. But they are excellent and accurate shooters; millions of them would not have been distributed if they didn't have a reputation for reliability.
If there is no "V" or any other letter in front of the serial number, the gun is earlier -- late 1930s. But then it should have been chambered in .38 Special, not .38 S&W.
EDITED TO ADD: I should also have said that the numbers on the yoke and facing frame surface are process control numbers and can be ignored. The serial number is the one on the butt, which should also be seen on the flat underside of the barrel and the rear face of the cylinder. (And a couple of other places too, but they are harder to see.)
Last edited:
Vulcan Bob
Member
Hi there, welcome to the forum! Not much to add to DCWilson's post other to say you do have a nice revolver there. If it is a 38 S&W as opposed to the 38 Special, and you want to shoot it 38 S&W ammo is available although rather expensive.
Alk8944
US Veteran
Assuming the stocks are original, and you said the number from the butt and inside the rt. stock are the same, so they are, your gun was manufactured sometime round 1930-1932. It is too early, by several years, to be a Victory Model.
I have to assume the caliber marking is .38 S&W Special CTG(?) as SCSW makes no mention of the 1905 4th Change being chambered for the .38 S&W (.38-200) until the British contract guns beginning in 1940. It may have been re-barreled with a .38 S&W barrel, but not likely. As with the stocks, cylinder, extractor and yoke, the barrel should also have the serial number stamped on the bottom flat under the extractor rod if it is original.
I have to assume the caliber marking is .38 S&W Special CTG(?) as SCSW makes no mention of the 1905 4th Change being chambered for the .38 S&W (.38-200) until the British contract guns beginning in 1940. It may have been re-barreled with a .38 S&W barrel, but not likely. As with the stocks, cylinder, extractor and yoke, the barrel should also have the serial number stamped on the bottom flat under the extractor rod if it is original.
mikepriwer
SWCA Member
I think its a late 1930's gun - about 1936 or later. It looks to be a
straight-forward 1905 4th-change .38 M&P, with silver medallion
grips.
Mike Priwer
straight-forward 1905 4th-change .38 M&P, with silver medallion
grips.
Mike Priwer
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Why is everyone talking about Victory Models? Gun has commercial stocks with serial, blued finish and is in proper 38 Special caliber. Seems to me it's clearly a Milirary & Police Model from middle 1930s. Or am I missing something?
Welcome to the Forum, Scott.
You would do better to start a new thread, rather than piggybacking on this one. Pictures are helpful and we here love to look at other's revolvers.
SP, you do realize this thread is about six years old?
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Guys, Josh posted once nearly six years ago and hasn't been heard from since 
.
He stated the original gun was stamped ".38 Smith & Wesson CTG", and the photo is too blurry to confirm this. (I think it has .38 S & W CTG on the right barrel, but am not sure.) If so, this detail and the SN likely make it one of the early British contract .38/200s from about 1940. It is probably missing the butt swivel but we can't ask him.
Also, best to post new questions on new posts...just go to the proper section of the Forum and click on New Thread at the bottom, then type away.
.He stated the original gun was stamped ".38 Smith & Wesson CTG", and the photo is too blurry to confirm this. (I think it has .38 S & W CTG on the right barrel, but am not sure.) If so, this detail and the SN likely make it one of the early British contract .38/200s from about 1940. It is probably missing the butt swivel but we can't ask him.
Also, best to post new questions on new posts...just go to the proper section of the Forum and click on New Thread at the bottom, then type away.
