Need help identifying a S&W 38 revolver, 5 shot cylinder.

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NClark333

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Hi, I recently acquired a s&w 38 caliber 5 shot revolver. There is no model number on the barrel, yoke or anywhere else I can see. It is a hand ejector, with fixed sights, and a 4" barrel. There are 4 screws in the frame, but not in the configuration that seems to put it in the "4 screw" category. The 4th is the large one high up on the right hand side plate. There is no screw on the front of the trigger guard. There are manufacturing numbers on the yoke, but nothing else. The serial number is 76006. Any help figuring out when this thing is from would be greatly appreciated. The following pictures should cover most angles and info. If any other info is needed, just tell me what and I'll try to provide it.
Thanks
-Noah C.
 

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Last edited:
Happy Easter!
You have a post-war .38 Regulation Police. It's chambered in .38 S&W (not .38 Special) and was built on the I frame. It probably dates to 1953, when the trigger guard screw was eliminated on I and J frames.
 
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Thank you so very much! Thats about what I was guessing, but the missing screw from the trigger guard and the existence of the larger one on the side plate was throwing me off. Much appreciated. I'm looking forward to having some fun with this thing if I can manage to find ammo for it every now and then.
 
Awesome, thanks again. I got lucky today and found a box and a 1/2 at a local dealer. They got them from an estate sale recently.
 
NClark333 said:
Thank you so very much! Thats about what I was guessing, but the missing screw from the trigger guard and the existence of the larger one on the side plate was throwing me off.
Click to expand...

Great find! You have a Model of 1953 New I Frame which became the Model 33 in mid 1957. The I and J frame screw count is different from K and N frame. The 4th and 5th screws were eliminated in a different sequence. And the I frame mainspring tension screw, the 6th screw, was eliminated first.

Welcome to the forum!
 
In case you ever get the itch to carry it or put it in the nightstand, Buffalo Bore makes actual modern defensive ammo in .38 S&W. I am sure there are others as well. The original chambering, like a lot of 19th Century low velocity LRNs, had more of a "die from infection/sepsis days later" reputation than one as an immediate fight stopper.
 
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