Smith and Wesson 38 ctg gun Help

[drew43a]

Hello i am a newbe here and i would like to know the model and year info on this 38 ctg gun and approximate value.
Here is what i know 6" barrel, Double action 5 screw. Number on the butt of gun 628096 number on the swing out 26988. Walnut diamond pattern wood grips (not on gun), currently has Pearl grips. Smith Logo on right side only below cylinder release. "made in usa" on right side. Right side of barrel says "38 S & Wesson CTG" Please help with what you know and i don't. I have this and also a K22.
My father gave them to me when i was 18 because i was the only family member that was into guns. I don't know where he got them maybe my grandfather just not sure and never thought to ask when he was alive. I do have an interesting story to tell about both guns in my next post. Thanks for any help.

[jmace57]

It looks like you have a nice M&P model from probably the mid-1920s (the very nice grips/stocks are 1930s). A nice TARGET model, that makes it more desirable. Are you sure it doesn't say "38 S&W SPECIAL CTG" on the barrel?

It looks pretty nice. It looks like original finish to me, which is important with value.

If it is original finish, I would say it's worth at least $450-$500.

Welcome to the forum!

[gjamison]

Pre war target is worth a premium. Right around $1000+

[murphydog]

Welcome also. jmace57 has good information above; this is a .38 Military & Police Target. Only about 10% of total production had the adjustable rear sight during this production era.

A letter of authenticity may shed more light on its origin, if you think your grandfather may have bought it new. It will give the original configuration, the date it left the factory and its destination; it will likely not name the original individual who bought it unless it was a special order.

Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation - Letter Process - Insuring that the rich history of Smith & Wesson will continue for generations to come

I would guess closer to high three figures for a value, but as a family gun it really can't have a dollar value placed on it. Hope this is helpful.

[drew43a]

This is what is on the side of the barrel. "38 S. & Wesson CTG"
After talking to my oldest brother he thinks that our father bought it, Don't know if new or used. and we remember my father having it in his dresser drawer for home protection. Never had a lock on it and not sure if it was loaded or not. We would get a wippin if we touched it.
So here is the other story i was told.
My father worked for G.E. and at some point my father was strapped for money raising 5 kids and he sold both guns to a G.E. coworker. Some years later the rolls were reversed and the man was in need of money and my father bought both of them back.

[murphydog]

Can you post a clear, close up photo of the right barrel? The gun has all the proper signs of being a .38 Special; the right barrel should be stamped ".38 S & W Special CTG" if so.

[824tsv]

I own the same gun with serial# 628152 (56 away from yours). It shipped May 12th, 1931.

[drew43a]

My bad. it reads " 38 S.&W. Special CTG"
824tsv wow thats kool thanks for that info.
Now that we know what and when where does that put the value?

[DocB]

Easily $1000. The MOP grips in conjunction with the original factory walnut grips will boost the value by another good $200. MOP grips for a K Frame are expensive when available.

[jmace57]

So I guess this means the $500 I am selling my nicer one for is a little under the market? : ).

[rct269]

Originally Posted by jmace57

So I guess this means the $500 I am selling my nicer one for is a little under the market? : ).

Just a tad---------------but just think how happy the other guy will be.

On the other hand, you might want to get a note from your doctor---something to the effect you're under the influence of a mind altering drug---prescribed for some condition no one's ever heard of---and then get your lawyer to help you crawfish out of the deal.

Ralph Tremaine

[brigham33]

Originally Posted by rct269

"crawfish out of the deal."

Ralph Tremaine

Interesting turn of phrase! Quite visual.

[rct269]

"crawfish out of the deal"-------one of many colloquialisms one must master in order to communicate/survive as a transplanted Yankee in this here neck of the woods. It is also necessary to comprehend (and even speak) single syllable words spoken as multi-syllable words (and vice-versa). The word "four", as an example, is a two syllable word. This actually has some practical value, because the word "for" (pronounced "fer") is not. This is but one of many strange situations which have given rise to the expression "Go figure" over the years----although I've never heard that phrase used hereabouts----the phrase "Well I'll be danged!" (spoken as one word along with an appropriate facial expression) being used instead.

While it's possible to write various of the words and phrases used hereabouts phonetically, they are generally unintelligible to "furruners" (a two syllable word) without an accompanying explanation (as provided by the likes of Jeff Foxworthy)-----and that takes too long.

Accordingly, it's quittin' time.

Ralph Tremaine

[jmace57]

Originally Posted by jmace57

So I guess this means the $500 I am selling my nicer one for is a little under the market? : ).

I have a deal with myself that I sell items to friends for what I paid for them. I paid $480 for mine 1 1/2 years ago - I knew I made a pretty good deal...but didn't realize how good.

Nevertheless, it is going to someone I met on this forum, and someone who has become a good friend, so I'm happy with the deal.