Found this what I think is a late 50's or early 60's Model 38 Airweight
at a local gunshow on Saturday. Flatlatch, serial # 259XXX with diamond
grips,mechanics are excellent. Been wanting one of these for years as a CCW. Am I close on the DOB?

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Outstanding, M.B.! You're gonna love it.
Mine's # 118847, which dates to 1957, first yr. change from names to model numbers and 3rd yr. of production. I'd estimate your's is about 1962.

Get a Mika pocket holster for it you'll love carrying it

Nah, get a horsehide Kramer inside the pocket holster. Go allout! I have a Desantis Nemesis, a Galco, and the Kramer. The Kramer is superior in all aspects.
The Kramer is thinner, better made, and if a J frame Kramer shows at all it looks like a wallet. I've tried a lot of them over the years, but you get what you pay for.

man, flatlatch 38s are my favorite. you will love it. it looks like a nice one. i'd say 1961 on the ship date.

I do prefer an inside the pocket holster, were can I get a horsehide Kramer?

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I have the same gun, date of birth 1962. Email S&W w/the serial # and they get back to you in a few days.

I put a letter request in the mail this morning.

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M.B., I bought my J frame and PPK Kramer pocket holsters used. They are expensive, but I have no qualms in saying they are one of the best made. I would have paid full price a long time ago if I hadn't found lightly used ones. These holsters do not have a hook to catch the pocket lining when withdrawing the gun. They are semi molded horsehide with a partially split trigger guard area. A slight push on the holster edge with the shooting index finger or the shooting hand thumb and the gun just slides out. I've NEVER had the holster come out of the pocket with the gun still in it and I've used these holsters every day in the warm weather for 5 years. The outside of the holster has a synthetic rectangular shaped layer that's stitched to the holster body. I'm not sure how my 1955 Agent would print, but the 5 shot J frame, which is thinner around the cylinder, looks like a slim wallet if observed.
I am using it right now as it's about 85 degrees here and sticky (carrying my M 640 at the moment).
I don't use pocket holsters in cooler weather, I prefer a minimal type IWB for J and D frames then.

http://www.kramerleather.com/product...&categoryID=28

Thanks for the web site, I just ordered the pocket holster.

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We see each other on a few websites. Please let me know if you like it after you've used it awhile. I hope you enjoy it!

Will do, delivery time is six to eight weeks according to the site. My guess is they don't make them until an order is placed.

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I beautiful model 38! One of my favorite J-frames. The year is right around my birth year, so it seems, of 1961. May I ask what they were asking for it?

Congratulations on a great find!

Paid 475.00 for it, which was more then I wanted to, but I don't see many of these at my local gun shows. Very happy with this revolver though.

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I think you did great! I would have paid that for it too. Maybe I'll get lucky one day soon.

#1609xx from 1958

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ASA/NSA 67-71
NRA Benefactor

The letter arrived for this one today. Shipped February 17, 1964 to Henkel & Joyce Hardware Co., Lincoln, NE. Ths shipped date suprised
me, I thought it would have shipped in 1961 or 1962.

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Usually you can't tell with S&Ws because the only thing they kept record of was sales dates. At least as far the info of their letters are concerned. Yours could have easily been manufactured a few years before it was sold. For example, I have a Mod 40 in the 13,000 serial number range that was sold in 1961 according to the letter. But, the frame is 4 screw, which means the frame was made in 1957 or earlier as that is the year S&W started using the improved sideplate that used only 3 screws. So it sat around Springfield for at least 4 years, maybe more, before S&W stamped it Mod 40 and shipped it out.
With Colts, you get a manufacturing date and a sale date. I prefer that because I'm more interested in when an old revolver was manufactured than I am with when or to whom it was sold. Just my personal preferrence.

It looks like mine which dates to 1962. If you email S&W w/serial and model # they get back to you in a few days with the DOB.

Muddyboot, that is in fact a nice Model 38. Congratulations.

Most respectfully, I am uncomfortable with your photographs. You have the firearm either loaded or loaded with spent cartridge cases. One cannot tell.

In all interactions among firearms collectors specifically and knowledgeable gun folks generally, the place for live ammunition is the range, not a display.

I truly do not mean to be confrontational or to be trolling for a new rule for the Forum. If I am off base, please let me know.

Kindly,

Robert Fisher

Yes, your off base. I photograph all my revolvers loaded. As you know
it takes several pounds of pressure on a trigger to fire a revolver. I have never has an AD or ND in 44 years of firearm use. No danger here , move on.

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Malysh
I think your right, this one may have spent some time on the shelf prior to shipping.

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Are you still waiting for the Kramer pocket holster?

No, I got it a few weeks back, it's now my every day CCW holster. Thanks
for the heads up, it fits the revolver like a glove.

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Great news. I am happy you like it as much as I do.
Now, if I can only find a used one for my '55 Colt Agent......

Congratulations, they are great guns. Mine is 2559xx. This thread made me take a quick picture of mine with my cell phone at work. It has a BK Grip Adapter on it. The holster is a cheap, but serviceable, Blackhawk pocket holster.

It's loaded because I'm carrying it today.

Attached Images

IMAG0498.jpg (37.8 KB, 33 views)

Nice one Neophyte, I really like the look of the Grip Adapter. How does
it feel in the hand?

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I like it too, Neophyte
The Blackhawks, Mikas, DeSantis, et al, all work.
I'm just spoiled with the Kramers

The grip adapter feels good. I really like the Centennials and Bodyguards because I can grip them high. The adapter helps with that and helps keep my middle finger from banging the trigger guard.

I wanted a model 38 because my dad had one when he was in the sheriff's office in the 60's. I came across this one for a steal last year in a pawn shop that typically has very overpriced guns.

Those old model 38s are amoung my favorites. I used to have two but am down to just one these days. And the only reason I let the other one go was in a trade toward a S&W 52! I don't carry a 38 much anymore since I picked up a 642. I like the factory boot grip on the 642 and +P ammo capabilty but maybe a 638 will come my way!