I have a 38 special CTG AIRWEIGHT that I received from my grandfather and was curious about what year the gun may be.

It holds five bullets with a wood grip that has a diamond pattern and a silver smith and wesson emblem with a serial number of 533132

You description is somewhat vague, but I believe you have a Model 38 "Bodyguard" based on the serial number.These were made from 1955-1999, and serial number 533132 would probably place the gun as being made sometime in the late 1980s. Is the gun a "Hammerless" frame, in that there is no visible hammer? Can you post a photo? Ed.

The SN indicates production sometime around 1966 or '67, I think, so if you look under the barrel on the frame with the cylinder swung out you'll see MOD followed by a number. That will let everyone know what it is.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

With the barrel open it has a marking of MOD .37 and another number of 87990. Hopefully this helps, I appreciate the replies.

If there are no letter prefixes to the SN on the butt, mid-1960s would be correct for a model 37. Later ones had a J prefix.. So it's very important to include everything stamped on the butt, both letters and numbers. 87990 is just an assembly number and means nothing.

It's a .38 Chiefs Special Airweight, aluminum alloy frame with steel barrel and cylinder, exposed hammer. Ed referred to a Bodyguard, or the model 38, which has an extended upper rear frame that encloses the hammer but still allows it to be thumb cocked.

The 87990 is a factory internal code (other makes do put the SN there).

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220