Info needed on 38 Special found in closet.

jekoby · #1 07-09-2016, 02:29 PM

Hello! I'm glad I found this forum - hopefully someone can help me with some information. My Dad passed away last August, and he had a number of guns. He was a retired State Patrol Sgt. and competitive shooter. My brother & I split up his collection last August, but when I was back home a couple weeks ago, I found this gun in his closet on the floor. I believe it was my Mom's - who also shot competitively - mostly because of the small grip. It's been pretty well used by the looks of it and I think it may be pretty old.

It is a S & W 38 Special - hand ejector - fixed sights - 4" barrel - 5 screws - has a strain screw and does not have a butt swivel or anything like that. The serial # appears to be 464898 (possibly 454898 - it's hard to tell about the 2nd number) There are no letters. If things work the way I hope they do, there should be a couple photos included with this!

Mostly, I'm wondering approximately how old it is, and a ball park value. The finish is worn, mostly around the grip where the top of your hand would be.

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.

Kim

Muley Gil · #2 07-09-2016, 02:42 PM

Welcome to the Forum.

You have a .38 Military & Police, probably from the from the 1920s. The grips are aftermarket. If there is a "Made in USA" stamping on the right side of the frame, it was made after the middle of 1922.

Value would be around $275-$350.

jekoby · #3 07-09-2016, 02:58 PM

Thank you for the info. There is a "Made in USA" stamp. So, the time frame would be about late 1920's then?

I remember seeing something when I was searching for information online about a way to trace the history of it from when it was produced by sending a request off to S & W..........is that correct? Or am I only wishful thinking?

Thanks for the response - you were a great help.

Kim

loeman · #4 07-09-2016, 03:04 PM

I'd like to find that in my closet! Yes, you can request a Roy Jink's letter from S&W that will tell you about the gun and when and where it was shipped. You can go to the S&W website and find the form, cost and other instructions.

Wiregrassguy · #5 07-09-2016, 04:03 PM

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! I believe your M&P shipped in the mid-1920's as they were shipping guns with SN's well into the 500K range in 1928. An historian's letter will cost $75 and usually only tells you the configuration of the gun when it shipped, the shipping date and to where it was shipped. Right now, the only thing you don't know is to where it shipped. That typically is a distributor so it offers very little valuable info. However, it is possible the gun shipped to an individual and that would make the letter more valuable. Also, the pearl stocks that are on it are aftermarket. It originally shipped with walnut, round top, checkered non-medallion service stocks. Those pearl grips are worth $150-200 if they are not chipped. That is almost as much as the gun itself is worth...maybe even equal value.

jekoby · #6 07-09-2016, 04:21 PM

Thank you for the responses! Very helpful information. I'm probably not going to spend $75 right now for limited return, but I'm glad to know an approximate age. I'm betting that this gun was purchased by my Grandparents, and passed down to my Mom. Just a guess though. Sadly, one side of the pearl grips does have a chip out of it on the lower back corner. I plan on keeping the gun anyway, but I was pretty sure it was quite a bit older than most of the other guns and it appears that is the case. Thanks a lot for such quick response!

Kim

DWalt · #7 07-09-2016, 04:24 PM

The closest SN on my list to 464898 is 4664xx which shipped in 10/23. Your M&P should have been shipped close to the same date. And it is consistent with the presence of the MADE IN U.S.A. frame stamp. There are always two opposed camps - those who feel every revolver should be lettered, and others having a more conservative view of the world. Realistically, the probability is that a letter will not give you $75 worth of information - mainly just the exact date of shipment and to where it was first shipped, generally to some retailer or wholesaler. It would also tell you if the nickel plating is original. But the decision is yours as to whether the cost of the letter is worth it to you. You might check to see if you can find the letter "N" stamped on the grip frame, on the rear face of the cylinder, or possibly near the SN stamped on the underside of the barrel. That would indicate a factory nickel plate. The grips are aftermarket MOP, and they are easily damaged. Period correct checkered wood grips are not too difficult to find if you look. eBay is a good place to start.

Absalom · #8 07-09-2016, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWalt

The closest SN on my list to 464898 is 4664xx which shipped in 10/23. Your M&P should have been shipped close to the same date.....

And I've got 450345 on the other side, shipped May 21, 1923, so that brackets your serial number nicely for a ballpark, although they didn't necessarily ship in strict order. As for the letter, mine told me the retailer it shipped to and its final police dept. destination. Luck of the draw; as DWalt says, it's your money.

jekoby · #9 07-09-2016, 06:14 PM

Wow - thanks. That narrows it down close enough for me. Most likely somewhere between May and Oct of 1923 (I know that's not certain - just likely). That is WAY more than I knew before coming here!

Thanks again for all the help.

Kim