Inherited S&W .38 Special Snub Nose

SingingDove · Mar 2, 2017

I know NOTHING about guns but just had to clean out my dad's house - he died 13 years ago but my stepmom was put into a memory care facility and is also in hospice so very hard trip. Since my sister lives in CA and they have some pretty strict regulations, I was tasked with taking care of Dad's two handguns (I had to contact an old friend to find out how to fly home with this, then had to go purchase a lock box, etc).

I brought home a Ruger and the above-titled gun. I have the original box but it doesn't say anything about manufacturer date. How do I find out info on this? It is a Model 60 with a serial number of 3453 (well that's the number inside when you open the chamber). My husband has noted that he's surprised because it is only a 5 chamber (he's only known them to have 6 chambers).

The box has this info:
Model - 60
Caliber - .38
Barrel - 2
Fin. - S
Stock - RB
Serial No. - BAF2323
Product Code - 102302
Spec. Ord. - 8141

Any help would be appreciated.

LonChaney · Mar 2, 2017

From the 4th ed SCSW it was made between 1984 & 1995. If you open the cylinder look for a 60- and then a number (60-7, etc). The number may help narrow it down more.

Aircrewman · Mar 2, 2017

The Model 60 is a stainless steel, 5 shot .38 Special caliber revolver. It was first made in the mid 60's and has been made in the thousands. A very nice concealable handgun. Your gun was made in the mid 80's or there abouts. The serial number you have identified. The other number is an assembly number located where you found it (on the yoke). Your husband may be thinking about the models known as the Military and Police. They were a "K" frame (medium frame) as opposed to the model 60 (and other 5 shot guns) as a "J" frame. The K frame and large frame guns, known as "N" frame are 6 shot models.
Product code is a factory identification #, Spec Ord is a code for any special items attached with the gun, ( grips, finish, etc.). The serial number on the gun is on the bottom of the grip frame. It should match the box number.
You have a very nice, reliable, and well made revolver. It can serve as a very good self-defense / house gun as well as a basic good "plinking gun." Will be worth about $500 in good condition.
Hope this helps.

murphydog · Mar 2, 2017

Welcome, and sorry for your stepmother's health problems.

Good information above. The full name of the gun is a .38 Chiefs Special Stainless, and it is a J or small frame S & W. These started production in 1965 and a similar gun to yours is still in production. They were/are very popular guns to carry by law enforcement, and (if you live in a state where you are able) by private citizens as well. If you are interested in shooting it, please have someone experienced or trained in this specific model to show you how and start with light .38 Special loads.

In the era the Special Order code indicated the day it was packed and ready to leave the factory in Julian format; 8 would indicate 1998 and 141 is the day of that year, or May 20. If your father bought it new, it would have been on a date later than this. Hope this is helpful.

Arik · Mar 2, 2017

Very common guns for carry in their day.....today too. It has only 5 shots because of the smaller frame. This was done to make it lighter and thinner for easier carry and concealment.

They were very popular and are still made today in one for or another.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

rwt1405 · Mar 2, 2017

Sorry to hear about your stepmom.

You have a very nice revolver there, many would consider it a great CCW revolver, and the fact that it was your dads makes it extra special, I wish you good luck with it.

SingingDove · Mar 2, 2017

Thanks for the info

Aircrewman,

Thank you SO much. You went above-and-beyond to give me all the info you did. I was a bit leery at first to even bring it home because I'm not a gun person, but I didn't want to make a quick decision so investigated what it would take to fly home with it. The more I've learned and look at it, I feel a bit of connection to my dad. On top of that, my husband said it would be good to take with us when we go camping "just in case".

SingDove

Aircrewman said:
The Model 60 is a stainless steel, 5 shot .38 Special caliber revolver. It was first made in the mid 60's and has been made in the thousands. A very nice concealable handgun. Your gun was made in the mid 80's or there abouts. The serial number you have identified. The other number is an assembly number located where you found it (on the yoke). Your husband may be thinking about the models known as the Military and Police. They were a "K" frame (medium frame) as opposed to the model 60 (and other 5 shot guns) as a "J" frame. The K frame and large frame guns, known as "N" frame are 6 shot models.
Product code is a factory identification #, Spec Ord is a code for any special items attached with the gun, ( grips, finish, etc.). The serial number on the gun is on the bottom of the grip frame. It should match the box number.
You have a very nice, reliable, and well made revolver. It can serve as a very good self-defense / house gun as well as a basic good "plinking gun." Will be worth about $500 in good condition.
Hope this helps.

SingingDove · Mar 3, 2017

Thank you!

Murphydog,

Thanks for the concerns/condolences.

Thanks also for the tip about having someone that knows this gun to teach me to shoot. My husband actually thinks it will be good to have this as a self-defense for when we go camping. You just never know in this day-and-age.

The more I look at it/handle it I feel more of a connection with my dad - sure miss him!

Again, thank you for all the info!

murphydog said:
Welcome, and sorry for your stepmother's health problems.

Good information above. The full name of the gun is a .38 Chiefs Special Stainless, and it is a J or small frame S & W. These started production in 1965 and a similar gun to yours is still in production. They were/are very popular guns to carry by law enforcement, and (if you live in a state where you are able) by private citizens as well. If you are interested in shooting it, please have someone experienced or trained in this specific model to show you how and start with light .38 Special loads.

In the era the Special Order code indicated the day it was packed and ready to leave the factory in Julian format; 8 would indicate 1998 and 141 is the day of that year, or May 20. If your father bought it new, it would have been on a date later than this. Hope this is helpful.

SingingDove · Mar 3, 2017

Thank you

Thanks for the condolences/thoughts. Tough time.

Thanks for the compliment on the gun. I'm starting to gather that as I talk to different people. I didn't know what a "great CCW" revolved is.

The more I look at it and deal with it, the more I connection I feel with my dad.

Thanks again.

rwt1405 said:
Sorry to hear about your stepmom.

You have a very nice revolver there, many would consider it a great CCW revolver, and the fact that it was your dads makes it extra special, I wish you good luck with it.

mod29 · Mar 3, 2017

I'm glad you're keeping your dad's revolver. I'm sure he would want it to stay with family.
You have a very good revolver for personal defense. Learn to use it safely and to take proper care of it, and it will serve you well.

Welcome to the forum. We hope you will stop in from time to time and hang out! S&W revolvers are a lot of fun to shoot! And we like to talk about them almost as much

sgc · Mar 3, 2017

What is the dash? When you open the cylinder it should say 60-?

Lobster Picnic · Mar 3, 2017

SingingDove, the Model 60 is a high quality and reliable handgun. I'm sure your Dad felt safer having it. Your Dad's Model 60 would be a good choice to take camping. Danger can come from 2-legged animals as well as the 4-legged variety.

Bodiebadman · Mar 3, 2017

"Great CCW revolver"

If I read your response correctly you didn't understand the response that carried the phrase "great CCW revolver".

CCW is an acronym for "carry concealed weapon" and is used to describe revolvers and pistols that fit that bill as well as to describe the license or document that one qualifies for in order to carry legally. As in: "Do you have a CCW?" would refer to the legal authority to carry concealed.

These are great little revolvers and a lot of fun to shoot with mild target loads.

andyo5 · Mar 3, 2017

SingingDove said:
On top of that, my husband said it would be good to take with us when we go camping "just in case".

SingDove

SingDove, Nowadays I would not go to a remote location unarmed, especially if I were going to do overnight camping. I suggest that both you and your husband take some instruction in gun handling and shooting.
There is no need to become a 'gun nut', but it would be better to have a gun and not need it than to need a gun and not have it.

hostler · Mar 3, 2017

Singingdove, That model 60 is a very good gun to start carrying. As was said, it is in a group of small revolvers commonly referred to as a "J-frame". People were carrying them over 50 years ago up though today.
I've got a model 60 that was made back in the early 70s which was my stepfather's off-duty/undercover gun (he was a retired police officer) and I carry it regularly.

Inherited S&W .38 Special Snub Nose

SingingDove

LonChaney

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Aircrewman

SWCA Member

murphydog

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Arik

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rwt1405

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SingingDove

SingingDove

SingingDove

mod29

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sgc

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Lobster Picnic

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Bodiebadman

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andyo5

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hostler

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