Just acquired this S&W revolver in 38 Special cartridge, barrel is 6 1/2 inches, Has adjustable rear sights and a target front sight. Number on crane is 53539. Number on bottom of grip 124237. Condition is 30 to 40%. Can't post pictures. I believe it's a 1930's Target pistol. Any information. Thanking you in advance. would be helpful

With so many variables, it may be a little hard to tell without a picture. It's not hard to do post one.. If you have a phone that takes pics, I might be able to help you.

Welcome! Does the number on the bottom of the grip frame have the letter S in front, or is the number read from the back side of the grip frame toward the muzzle?

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

No S and number on grip frame goes from back to front

Thanks! That pretty much narrows it down to being a .38 Military & Police Target from about 1908.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

30 to 40% Did you find on the trail?
Welcome to the forum.

The fact that your gun is a .38 Special and has a 6 1/2 barrel and adjustable sights narrows it down to being a Military & Police Target revolver built before 1910. Does the caliber marking include U S Service Cartridge too? That marking disappeared a bit before the 6 1/2' Barrel did so the prior estimate of 1908 is in the ballpark.

And, BTW, CTG. is the abbreviation for Cartridge. It is nor part of the model name. Until ca. 1957 when model numbers were added to the description of models all S&Ws fell under the general classification of "Named Models", where the model name was the only descriptor. In the case of your gun it would be a .38 Hand Ejector, model of 1902 or 1905, depending on some specific features that distinguished them, which most would not have known at the time.

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Gunsmithing since 1961

It probably looks a lot like mine from up in the 150000 serial range.

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Psalm 27:2

Thank you Gentleman, for all the helpful information. There is no mention of Service Cartridge. Next question would be what ammunition to use? I would assume 38 Special Factory specification would be suitable. I use 158gr Lead bullets in all of my S&W older pistols. Thanx Again

Mine greatly prefers 158gr SWC lead at standard pressure. It definitely does NOT like jacketed wadcutters (lower velocity too).

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Psalm 27:2

Jacketed Wadcutters, as in putting a jacketed bullet in backwards?

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

The difference between the Model of 1902 and the Model of 1905 is that the former has a rounded butt, while the latter has a square butt. At that time, the wooden grips probably did not have a medallion at the top. They began appearing around 1911. Many 1902s had black hard rubber grips, however the target model is likely to have shipped with wooden grips. S&W ceased using the "Model of..." nomenclature around 1915.

Thanx, Interesting information. Chris

No, there are lots of jacketed, plated, and coated wadcutters these days. Ammo can on the right is full of 148gr TMJ WCs.

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Psalm 27:2